Creating an adoption plan is a profoundly challenging choice for any parent, yet it can also be an act of immense love. In a touching gesture, Sarah Jenkins from Utah filmed a heartfelt video just hours before her newborn son was placed with his adoptive family. Her goal was to ensure that her son, whom she named Leo, would always know how deeply he was loved.
In the now-popular video shared on the Love What Matters Facebook page, an emotional Sarah speaks directly to baby Leo, explaining her decision to choose another couple to raise him. “This is my son, Leo, who I placed for adoption in April 2016,” she narrates in the video. “I created this video so he can look back and understand that my choice was made entirely out of love. He will never have to feel that I ‘gave him up’ or that he wasn’t wanted. He will always know that I loved him more than anyone else.”
With tears in her eyes, Sarah pours her emotions into the message, addressing the questions Leo may have in the future. “Right now, I’m in the last hour before I send you to your new parents, and I want you to know how much I love you. More than I’ve ever loved anyone,” she shares. “I made this decision out of love, and if I didn’t care, I wouldn’t be in this position.”
At the age of 18, Sarah found herself pregnant, while Leo’s father, Jake, was just 20. As she reflects in her video, Jake was incredibly excited about becoming a father. “He loved you from the very first moment,” Sarah recalls. “When I first heard your heartbeat at my eight-week appointment, he was in class, and I couldn’t wait to share the news. He was overjoyed!”
After discussing their options, both Sarah and Jake agreed on adoption. Unfortunately, two days after hearing Leo’s heartbeat, Jake tragically passed away in his sleep, leaving Sarah devastated. “For months, I couldn’t bear to think about adoption,” she reveals. “Leo was my last connection to Jake, and I was not ready to let go.”
Over time, however, Sarah realized that Leo was his own person, deserving of a bright future. With love for her son in her heart, she revisited the adoption plan. Using Adoption.com, she found the perfect couple, Emily and Mark, to raise him. “From the moment I met Emily, I knew she was the right choice,” Sarah explains. “We talked about everything and built a bond before Leo was born.”
Now, almost two years later, Sarah emphasizes how much she loves Leo and her relationship with Emily and Mark. She describes their open adoption as more of an extended family connection. “To me, they are just family,” she says. “My parents treat Emily and Mark’s kids as their own grandkids. We all celebrate holidays and birthdays together.”
Sarah believes that having more people to love a child is a reason for joy, not jealousy. “Emily is one of my closest friends, and I admire her as a mother. I’m grateful she allows me to love Leo as his other mom,” she expresses. “We’re all confident in our roles, and it’s been a blessing for everyone involved.”
Documenting her emotions on video was essential for Sarah. “I wanted Leo to see the raw truth of this experience. I wanted him to know how much I loved him and that his father did too. I trust his new family to love him like he deserves,” she explains.
Surprised by the video’s popularity, Sarah hopes it encourages more people to consider open adoptions. “This experience can help normalize open adoption. It’s beneficial not only for the child but for everyone involved,” she states.
Although Jake’s passing was a heartbreaking event, Sarah emphasizes that all birth mothers deserve support in their decisions. “I want people to recognize that my story, though unique, resonates with many birth mothers. Every one of them deserves love and understanding,” she concludes.
For those navigating similar paths, resources like March of Dimes can provide valuable information about pregnancy and adoption. And if you’re looking for more insights on fertility, check out Make a Mom for their expert advice.
Summary
A mother, Sarah Jenkins, filmed a heartfelt video for her son, Leo, whom she placed for adoption, ensuring he knows he was deeply loved. Despite the challenges and heartbreak she faced, including the loss of Leo’s father, Sarah prioritized her son’s well-being. She found a loving family for him and maintains a close relationship with them, highlighting the beauty of open adoption.
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