ERIN & JEFF'S STORY

“RG truly walked alongside us every step of the way. Their knowledge, guidance, support, and trusted relationships gave us peace of mind throughout our adoption journey.” - Erin & Jeff, Illinois

Adoption has always held a special place in our family.

Since childhood, Erin dreamed of one day adopting a child. Her connection to adoption is deeply personal — both her father and aunt were adopted at birth. Jeff also has family members who were adopted, making adoption a meaningful part of both of our family histories.

After Erin underwent treatment for two separate cancer diagnoses and learned that having biological children would not be possible, we felt even more strongly that domestic infant adoption was the right path for growing our family.

We first began exploring the adoption process in 2018. At the time, we were gathering information, researching adoption agencies, and learning what it would take to adopt a baby.

Although we knew adoption was something we wanted to pursue, we ultimately decided it wasn’t the right time to begin our journey.

Over the next six years, we continued researching, having conversations, and learning about the different aspects of domestic adoption. That time allowed us to grow together, discuss different situations and preferences, and become more open-minded, informed, and confident in our decision.

Then, in 2024, something simply felt right.

We knew we were ready.

Erin had been a member of a domestic adoption Facebook group for several years and spent a great deal of time researching adoption agencies and adoption consultants throughout Illinois.

One name consistently stood out: RG Adoption Consulting.

The reviews were overwhelmingly positive, and we were especially impressed by RG’s hands-on approach and the guidance they provided throughout every stage of the adoption process.

After interviewing multiple adoption professionals and having our initial inquiry call with RG, we felt confident that RG Adoption Consulting was the right fit for our family.

One of the things we appreciated most about working with RG was the depth of knowledge and experience their team brought to the process.

They helped us find a home study agency, guided us through creating our adoption profile, and curated a list of reputable adoption agencies and attorneys that aligned with our preferences.

It was also clear that RG had built strong relationships with adoption professionals across the country. Whenever we mentioned during an agency interview that we were RG clients, we consistently heard glowing feedback about them.

That gave us peace of mind. We trusted that RG would only recommend professionals who were reputable and genuinely prioritized the best interests of both adoptive and birth families.

Becoming active was one of the first moments when everything began to feel real.

After completing our home study, education, adoption profile, paperwork, and the other requirements necessary to adopt, reaching that milestone felt like a huge accomplishment.

Of course, becoming active also began the waiting — and that part of our domestic infant adoption journey was not always easy.

At times, the paperwork and profile requirements felt tedious and overwhelming. It was also difficult to apply for adoption situations and not be selected, especially when we received little or no feedback about why another family had been chosen.

Whenever we felt discouraged, our RG consultant supported us through those moments. She continually reminded us that timing was everything and encouraged us to stay positive and focused on our goal.

At the time, it was difficult to fully understand what she meant.

Looking back, we now know how right she was.

On the afternoon of Friday, June 27, 2025, we received the phone call that changed everything.

We were expecting to hear about an expectant mother who was still months away from delivering. Instead, the agency told us that we had been matched — and that our daughter had been born earlier that day.

After experiencing so many situations in which we were not chosen, hearing that we had finally been selected was almost impossible to process.

Not only had we matched, but this was a baby-born adoption situation.

It all felt completely surreal.

Our daughter’s birth mother had decided at the hospital that she wanted to make an adoption plan. The hospital contacted an agency serving the area, which happened to be one of the adoption agencies we were working with. The agency shared three family profiles with her, and she chose us.

We matched on June 27, flew to Florida on June 28, and officially met and took placement of our daughter on June 29.

The entire experience was a whirlwind.

We had intentionally waited to set up a nursery or purchase baby items until we matched, so we suddenly found ourselves shopping for everything we needed while in Florida. Meanwhile, Erin’s family went above and beyond back home in Illinois, using her Pinterest ideas and wish lists to create the nursery while we were away.

Meeting our daughter for the first time was one of the most magical moments of our lives.

Accompanied by our agency worker and a nurse, we walked into the hospital room to meet her. We kept thinking, “Oh my gosh, we’re finally here. Is this really happening?”

Seeing our daughter for the first time filled our hearts in a way we had never experienced before. It was a moment of pure joy, love, and gratitude that we will cherish forever.

Our daughter’s birth mother chose not to meet us at the time of placement and requested a semi-open adoption.

We now send letters and photos to the agency according to a schedule, and the agency forwards those updates to her.

We are grateful for the opportunity to share our daughter’s growth and milestones with her birth mother. We also hope that, in the future, our daughter and our family may have the opportunity to develop a more open relationship with her.

Open adoption can grow and change over time. We remain hopeful about what that relationship may become.

Following placement, a few unexpected challenges caused finalization to take eight months.

Those months were emotional and, at times, filled with uncertainty, but we were fortunate to have a strong support system — including our RG adoption consultant — to help guide us through them.

When Finalization Day finally arrived, it brought an overwhelming sense of relief, joy, and closure.

It was a moment we had dreamed about for so long. Celebrating it together as a family made every challenge along the way feel worthwhile.

Our three favorite moments from the adoption process were clear:

Becoming active.

Meeting our daughter.

And finalization.

Looking back, our advice is simple.

Jeff would remind himself to have more patience and to be open to rejection without taking it personally. The adoption process can be challenging, but every setback can lead you closer to the opportunity that is right for your family.

Erin would remind herself that timing truly is everything.

It is difficult to trust the process while you are in the middle of waiting. But now, we can see how so many pieces aligned to bring us to our daughter.

We feel incredibly fortunate that we chose RG Adoption Consulting to guide our domestic infant adoption.

Their team had our family’s best interests at heart and continued to encourage and support us throughout the entire process.

We will always be grateful for their knowledge, dedication, compassion, trusted relationships with adoption professionals, and unwavering belief in our family.