As Case Manager, I had the opportunity of being part of a birth father reconnecting with his daughter after 18 years. He shared parts of his story below. Unfortunately, I do not get the chance to work with birth fathers as much as I would like to. Sometimes they are unknown or they are scared to be part of the process. 
- Destrie Overmoe, LSW

Q. What was your role as a Birth Father at that time?

My role was not nearly as difficult or mentally taxing as [the birth mom’s]. And I carried a lot of guilt, shame and downright worthlessness about not being a man. I could not speak of it to anyone because I thought I was not being a man.
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This isn’t an uncommon feeling for birth parents. The thought of not being ready or able to raise a child is sometimes mistaken for weakness. We encourage birth parents to know that adoption is a responsible and brave choice.

Q. Did you participate in counseling?

One time for me.

One meeting is sometimes all we have with birth fathers. As an agency, we strive to be inclusive of birth fathers.
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Q. What did the weeks following the adoption look like for you?

I never grieved. With death there is a degree of closure. With this there never was closure. I just kept moving along because it [helped] me cope. But there were a lot of times throughout the years where something or a word stops you in your tracks…

​Q. How have you come to find joy in your decision?

The day I saw [my daughter] walking towards me with a huge smile. I was prepared to bawl like a little child. Instead we hugged and 18 years of the worst feelings I have been carrying about me disappeared. Neither of us shed a tear. Hearing her say she never even had one thought of hate or anything negative towards me, only one word comes to mind. Forgiveness! 

Openness is something that wasn’t as prevalent 18 years ago, as it is today. We see a lot of healing happen when birth families, adoptive families, and the adoptee can maintain a relationship.

Q. Talk about communication and openness you have with the adoptive family.

[My daughter’s] parents are absolutely the kindest, nicest people I have met. Her mom and I have gotten to know each other and trust each other. I just really respect them both!

Q. How did the adoptive family support and help you?

Her mother has given me countless pictures and stories of [my daughter] growing up and has made me feel like I’m a part of her. I cannot thank them enough for how they have welcomes me into their lives. 

Q. What advice would you give birth fathers going through this process?

Be honest with yourself. I never spoke to anyone how I was feeling. Do anything and everything you can do so one day that child will know you have always cared. ​

-CAS Birth Father (​placement about 18 years ago)
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For more insight into the role of birth father's, see the links below:
-Newsletter Focused on Birth Father
-Birth Father Video

Q: What led to your adoption decision?

I was at a point in my life where I was separated from my then husband, basically a single mother with no job, no work experience, living at home with my parents, and no clue what I was going to do with my life. I wasn't prepared to bring another kid into this world when my life was such a mess. I had briefly looked into getting an abortion, but couldn’t afford one without asking for money. Being a mom already I decided I couldn't go through with killing a baby just because I was pregnant at an inconvenient point in my life. I had talked to my mom about it and she said to contact the Pregnancy Center in [my home town].

Q: Did you feel prepared to walk through that decision?

I didn’t know what to expect as I didn’t know much about the adoption process other than what I watched in the movie Juno (haha!). I just went into it with an open mind. I had already made up my mind about it so whether or not I was prepared I was going through with it.

Q: What did your Case Worker do to prepare you?

[My Case Worker] was awesome. She was so nice and understanding. I could tell she had been doing this a long time because she was so caring, supportive, and knew exactly what to do and say when things got difficult. She gave me so much information about adoption and the process, and was so easy to work with. She was really my rock when we met the adoptive parents for the first time.

and they were all very supportive too. ​I kind of announced it on Facebook the Easter before I had her (like 4-6 weeks before my due date), and had an amazing outpouring of love and support with my decision. There were a few people who weren’t very nice about it though.

Q: How did you choose a family?

I got profile booklets to look through. I looked for a Catholic family, since I was Catholic, so I got only catholic family profiles. Their profile caught my eye because so many of their pictures were family orientated, they were candid [and] really showed their love for life. And they traveled, everywhere. I've always wanted to travel and see the ocean and I wanted this baby to be able to see everything I've ever wanted to see. Meeting them really cemented my decision. They were open and honest, and loved me.

Q: Describe your relationship with your child & her adoptive parents?

Almost fairy-tale like. I never expected to gain a whole new side to my family like I did with them. Their families were so open and accepting of me and my family. We talk on a regular basis and they send me pictures all the time. I get to talk to my daughter on the phone. It’s just amazing. I couldn't ask for a better relationship.

Q: What did the adoptive family do to support you & make you feel loved?

They came to all my appointments after we first met, met my family and endured an interrogation from my little brothers. They were able to stay in a room next to mine in the hospital and gave me all the time I wanted with her, then called a day or so after I was discharged from the hospital to see how I was doing, if I needed anything, and to thank me for giving them such a blessing. They've been so supportive though all my schooling, and just keep my family and I involved in what's going on in their lives.
 
Q: What is one thing adoption has taught you?

How misunderstood adoption is. So many people assume that the reason for adoption is a negative one...that the baby isn’t wanted or loved, that the mother is addicted to drugs, or a teenager, or that the decision was forced. It may be the case in some cases, but no one realizes the thought process behind the decision, the emotions that the birth mother goes through, or the amount of ridicule they go through from some of society for giving their baby away because other people "could never just give their baby away to strangers". They don't realize how intensely LOVED that little baby is to have that mother make the incredibly self-less decision to give that child a chance at a better life. A life they couldn’t give that child themselves. They have no clue about the struggle that mom had to go through to make that decision. For me, it was an easy decision, but I know that's not the case for other birth moms. I feel like I got very lucky with my adoption experience, and I wish there was more support for the birth mothers who struggled, and still struggle with their decision.
 
-CAS Birth Mother (​placement about 8 years ago)

TONIGHT! 11/20 Birth Mom small group, 5:30-6:30pm at FM Area Foundation. Next year's dates: 

Not many of our expectant clients are widows. Some of the children are fatherless (meaning birth father is unknown or not in a relationship with the mother). We feel a sense of responsibility to listen to, care for, and encourage the women who reach out to us, who walk through our door, or call us from a delivery room feeling at the end of their rope. Some of them look at family profiles, some of them do not. Some of them are matched. Not all of them end up making an adoption plan. Prospective adoptive families are sometimes brought into the conversation, but sometimes we see the risk is too high or the mother is too vulnerable and we wait longer to tell the family, or don't tell them at all, fortunately safeguarding some families from a lot of heartbreak...but not all. ​

This year we've worked with at least six women who chose parenting. That is 40% of Destrie's clients this year. We've met others who miscarried or we do not know where they are. They receive free services and non-judgmental support from our case manager. We want clients to step into our office feeling welcomed and cared for. We want them to see Jesus through our staff. They are worth our time. Adoption fees are not enough to cover the many women who are not matched, who needed help finding resources, maybe just needed encouragement to choose life instead of abortion. At the forefront of our mission, we desire to display God's love. This doesn't mean just finding babies for families or ignoring the deep needs a client may have. ​