Katie and Zac are high school sweethearts who always knew they wanted to be parents. After experiencing unexplained infertility, the couple decided to pursue adoption to build the family they felt called to have. What they didn’t know was that while their journey would include deep heartbreak, it would ultimately lead them exactly where they were meant to be—forming unexpected and lasting bonds along the way.
The Journey to Adoption
Katie and Zac began their adoption journey in the spring of 2024. After the heartbreak of unexplained infertility, they chose adoption as the path to building the family they had always imagined.
According to Katie,
“I was very impressed with Zac and his ability to let go of the idea of a biological child to consider adoption. Our whole marriage through this process has only gotten stronger. Adoption has been amazing for us.”
Their journey began with the home study process, background checks, financial reviews, health assessments, pet vaccination records, and other requirements. They initially worked with an adoption consultant, who connected them with Courageous Hearts Adoptions after they matched with an expectant mother in Arizona.
Katie and Zac traveled to Arizona in November for a first visit with the expectant mother. Just one week after their daughter, Mia, was born in late December, they would again return home to Georgia but this time with her. Unfortunately, what followed was a four-to-five-month struggle that ended in a disrupted adoption—and devastating heartbreak.
During that time, Katie recalls,
“Courageous Hearts was absolutely phenomenal. I don’t think we would have made it without them. The emotional support… it just seemed like any moment of the day, they were there to talk.”
When the Stars Aligned
The Sunday after surrendering Mia at the airport, Courageous Hearts’ Adoption Coordinator, Laronda, called with an update. An expectant mother in Indiana named Emily had reviewed Katie and Zac’s profile. After looking through multiple profiles that didn’t feel quite right, something about Katie and Zac’s story and photos resonated with her.
They spoke with Emily by phone, and within 30 minutes, learned that she had chosen to match with them.
“It felt like we had known her forever—like talking to a friend,” Katie shared. “It literally felt like the stars aligned. She was always meant to be our birth mom; it just took us a long time to get to her.”
Building a Lasting Bond
Once matched, Courageous Hearts’ Birth Mom Case Manager, Marie, shared their contact information with Emily. Emily reached out within days, expressing both excitement and nervousness.
After experiencing a disrupted adoption, Katie and Zac felt understandably guarded. Still, as they began texting Emily daily, their confidence in the journey slowly grew.
They eventually planned a trip to Indiana to meet Emily while visiting family in Ohio. Nervous and protective of their hearts, they chose not to tell their family where they were going.
Emily arrived with her son, Theo, accompanied by Marie.
“It felt like seeing a friend,” Katie and Zac recalled. “We deeply cared about each other immediately.”
Emily shared ultrasound photos of their future daughter and gave them baby clothes and a stuffed cow she had purchased before deciding on adoption. They spent the entire summer day together—lunch at IHOP (to Theo’s delight), a trip to the zoo, and dinner that evening.
“The contrast between our first and second adoption was so large,” they reflected.
Meeting Ivy
Ivy was originally due on September 30, 2025, but due to complications, her delivery was moved up to early September. Katie and Zac traveled to Indiana early and were able to share dinner with Emily before the birth.
At the hospital, they were struck by the strong support system surrounding Emily. Her mother was present during delivery, and her father waited nearby. Katie and Zac spent hours talking with him, feeling an immediate sense of connection.
“It felt like all of them together were part of our family.”
When Ivy was born, Katie and Zac gave Emily all the time and space she wanted to bond privately with her daughter. Over the following days, they coordinated time together thoughtfully—sharing moments like Ivy’s first bath and ensuring Emily had space to rest.
They spent three weeks in Indiana, including celebrating Emily’s birthday with her family. Leaving was emotionally difficult, but it was time to return home—together as a family, exactly as they were meant to be.
Settling Into Parenthood
Zac reflected on one of his initial fears:
“I was worried how I would bond with an adopted child. But proudly it is instantaneous. [It] reflects all the hard work, decision making, and grief. It’s incredible.”
Both Katie and Zac shared that while pregnancy is beautiful, adoption gave them an even deeper appreciation for parenthood.
“You fought so hard for something that didn’t come naturally. You intentionally wanted that baby.”
Five months into parenthood, they both agree—it “rocks.”
“It’s amazing to see your partner become a parent and fulfill the role they were always meant to fill,” Zac shared.
Open Adoption: A Beautiful Family Extension
Open adoption has been incredibly important to Katie and Zac.
“I had some anxieties about open adoption and how it would feel and look like,” Zac admitted. “I think because Emily, from the beginning, felt like she’s always been a part of our lives, it’s been wonderful.”
They share frequent photos and updates with Emily and her family.
“I think it’ll be more positive for Ivy. No taboos. She will know her birth mom. Being adopted is not who she is but it’s a part of her.”
They hope Ivy will have an ongoing relationship with Emily if she chooses.
“They are her family and they are our family,” Katie shared. “We even send her dad photos. We honor them.”
To Emily, Katie and Zac would like to express that “she completed our family in more ways than we could have ever imagined and there are truly no words that fully express our love and gratitude for her.”
We spoke to Emily about her journey with choosing adoption. You can read her story HERE.
Gratitude for Courageous Hearts Adoptions
Adoption is not an easy journey—but it can be profoundly beautiful.
“What I’ve taken away from our adoption,” Zac said, “is that beyond the birth mom, the agency makes the adoption. Courageous Hearts was with us every step of the way. We would call Laronda day and night and she would pick up. We never once felt alone or questioned Courageous Hearts’ commitment to us.”
Katie and Zac expressed deep gratitude for Laronda, Marie, and Tracy (Arizona Executive Director), noting how meaningful it was to work with professionals who understood infertility, disrupted adoption, and adoption firsthand.
“Shout out to Tracy in Arizona,” they added. “Tracy would pick up the phone every time. She’s a unique person that the world needs more of. Knowing that Laronda and Marie both adopted and had infertility issues and disrupted adoptions [meant a lot]. They really could understand EVERYTHING we were going through.”
Katie and Zac’s story reminds us that adoption can be full of unexpected heartbreak—and unexpected love. Their journey led them exactly where they were meant to be, forming lasting bonds that extend far beyond what they imagined.If you are considering adoption or are an expectant parent exploring your options, we are here to support you with compassion, honesty, and care. For adopting parents, we invite you to learn more and contact us with your questions. If you are an expecting mother considering adoption, we are here to serve you and equip you with the unbiased information necessary to make this difficult but loving decision. Call or text anytime to speak confidentially with an adoption counselor: (317) 964-3365.
