From the very beginning of our relationship, even before we were married, one of the things we would talk about often was our shared dream of having children.
Becoming parents was something we both felt deeply called to, and those conversations were full of hope and excitement for the future. Even back then, we talked not just about having biological children, but also about adoption. We knew in our hearts that we wanted adoption to be part of our family’s story, though we did not yet know how or when that would unfold.
A little while after we got married, we decided we were ready to start trying for a baby. Like so many other couples, we assumed the process would be simple: make the decision, and before long, we would be holding our child in our arms. However, as the months passed without success, our confidence slowly turned to concern. About a year and a half into trying, we finally sat down with doctors and underwent a series of tests, hoping for answers.
That is when we learned the news that would change everything: we were facing complete male-factor infertility.
Hearing those words was shattering. It felt as if the future we had imagined so clearly together had been abruptly erased, and we were left staring at a blank space, unsure how to move forward. The grief was overwhelming, and it took us a long time—years, in fact—to fully process the reality of our diagnosis. During that time, we explored every possible medical treatment and alternative we could find, chasing down lead after lead, only to encounter closed doors and dead ends at every turn. Eventually, we met with a third specialist, hoping for even a small glimmer of hope.
During that consultation, he introduced us to an option we had never seriously considered before: embryo adoption.
The concept was new to us, and we left the appointment with mixed emotions—curiosity, uncertainty, and just the faintest flicker of renewed hope. As soon as we got home, we sat down together and started researching.
One concern quickly stood out to both of us: most embryo adoptions are handled anonymously, and for us, it was incredibly important that any child we welcomed into our family would know their origins and have the opportunity for connection with their biological family, should they wish. That desire was rooted in our belief that knowing where you come from can be an important piece of understanding who you are. We wanted openness and honesty to be part of our family’s foundation.
As we dug deeper, we came across the term “open embryo adoption” and typed it into a search engine. That is when we discovered Snowflakes, an embryo adoption program designed to match adopting families with genetic families in a more open and transparent way.
As soon as we started reading about their mission and the way they facilitated relationships between families, we felt like we had finally found a path that aligned with our hearts.
The matching process moved faster than we expected, and before long, we were matched with a wonderful family. Reading through their family profile for the first time was such a moving experience—it was as though a deep peace settled over us, and we felt hope for the first time in a very long time. Even though we had not met them in person, something about their words and their story reassured us that this was the right next step.
Of course, the clinical side of the journey was anything but easy. Our first embryo transfer ended in failure, as did the second. Each loss felt like a fresh heartbreak, a painful reminder of the years we had already spent longing for a child. Then, when our third transfer finally led to pregnancy, we experienced the crushing pain of miscarriage.
It was one of the hardest seasons of our lives—one marked by so many dashed hopes and long nights spent wondering whether we would ever be parents.
Then, one final embryo remained. We moved forward with the transfer, holding our breath and hoping against hope. This time, our prayers were answered. The pregnancy progressed beautifully, and the day we heard the heartbeat was a moment we will never forget. Eventually, after what felt like an impossibly long journey, our son, Copeland, was born—a healthy, beautiful baby boy.
The moment we held him for the first time, all the years of grief, waiting, and uncertainty seemed to fade away. He was everything we had dreamed of and so much more. Our hearts were overflowing with gratitude—not just for his life, but also for the extraordinary path that had led him to us.
One of the most precious parts of this story is the relationship we have built with Copeland’s placing family. From the very beginning, we have stayed in close contact, exchanging photos, letters, and family updates. They have become more than just part of his story—they feel like extended family to us, and we look forward to the day when we can all meet in person. Our connection with them is a sweet, unique bond that we treasure deeply.
Copeland’s story is one we hold close to our hearts and one we are honored to share with him as he grows up.
Every piece of it, from the heartbreak to the healing, feels like a testament to grace, love, and the incredible ways families can be formed. We are forever thankful to God for entrusting us with the privilege of being his parents and for weaving together a story so rich and meaningful, one we could never have written for ourselves.
Do you have an embryo adoption or donation story? Send your story and photos to us! Post them yourself via Facebook or email us your story and we will make it available on our Family Stories page, found on our website.
Email Paige@nightlight.org and help another family build their embryo donation or adoption story.
To learn about embryo donation and adoption, visit EmbryoAdoption.org.
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