11/08/2024
"Adopting our amazing son, Griffin, in 2021 at infancy changed us in more ways than we ever imagined. The biggest revelation is that fatherhood has taught us to live in the here and now, to treasure the family we’ve cultivated, and to hold each other tightly through hardships, hope, health scares, happiness, and everything in between.
In a deeply divided America that, much to our shock and disappointment, officially entered us on Nov. 5 into an era once again of national othering, a reduction of human rights, name-calling, and fear-based leadership, we know that our family’s bond, love, and purpose isn’t any politician’s play toy. It is real, it is strong, and it is very, very American. We often say: if others feel our family is in some way wrong, harmful to our child, or that we being “us” infringes on their own right to love and parent, a visit to our chaotic kitchen one morning before preschool would paint a picture of humor, love, structure, trust, and deep care for the privilege of being a family. We are not, in fact, very different at all from the vast majority of families. We know love will get us through another tough era. We know our family’s mere presence won’t change every mind or heart, but by living our truth, we hope to be a reminder that family can be what you make it. And we’ll continue working daily to give our adopted son a fortified life of bravery, love, kindness, resilience, independence, and optimism.
Happy Adoption Awareness Month, y’all. If anyone is considering adoption, we learned a ton, are still learning each day, and are more than willing to chat."
~Clifton and Chad
