Words from Remi’s birth family
“I wasn't blessed with a mothering nature. And I didn't have the necessity or needs to take care of Remi. And I felt very blessed and fortunate that Joe and Erica were the suitable parents for Remi. Makes me very happy with my decision to choose them. Out of all the choices we had, they were who my sister and I thought were perfect for Remi, and through these past years have been able to see how wonderful her life is and how happy Remi is. With the open adoption, I like how much space Erica and Joe give to me but still involve my sisters and family in being able to watch Remi grow.” -Remi’s Birth Mother
“We’ve had the privilege of watching them give Remi all the essential pieces of a joyful and fulfilling childhood. The bond they share with her is strong, and it's clear that she is surrounded by deep love—both from her adoptive and biological families. Erica and Joe are rooted in their community, and it’s obvious that Remi is uplifted not just by her immediate family and caregivers, but by a larger network of social support as well.
They are instilling in her meaningful values and life lessons—teaching her what it means to be a kind, thoughtful, and engaged member of society. They are also nurturing her autonomy, allowing her to safely explore who she is and grow into the incredible person she’s becoming.
Erica and Joe strike an incredible balance between structure and freedom. Remi feels safe and supported, receives a great education, and has the freedom to learn and grow through play and life experiences. They offer her deep emotional support, walking her through challenges and helping her develop strong problem-solving skills. She is constantly exposed to a variety of enriching and diverse experiences.
One of the most beautiful parts of this journey has been how open and inclusive Erica and Joe have been with us. From letting us witness the adoption virtually, to video chatting on every one of her birthdays, to sharing regular updates—they’ve made sure our connection with Remi remains real and meaningful. They've even made time to meet in person so that my children can build a relationship with their cousin.
It has truly been a blessing. We are so lucky to have them in our lives.” -Remi’s Aunt
“I know that every time I get to watch videos of Remi, we get happy that we chose them. I get to feel absolutely extra special knowing that I was with Remi’s birth mom the whole time, having that full option that she gave being that involved to make a decision that big. And not feeling any regret on that decision is an amazing feeling. One of the biggest things about adoption is if that adoption is going to give that child their best option and that was 100% what happened with Remi.” -Remi’s Aunt