Adam’s Family

I have been blessed to become Mom to the most amazing 3-year-old God has ever created. I was working at a local title loan company and received what I thought was a normal phone call. There was a woman on the other line asking questions about pawning the title to her car. I answered her questions and disconnected the call. A few hours later, she came in to do the loan. During the loan process, as I asked the required questions, she started to cry. She mentioned that her daughter was pregnant and needed money for an abortion. Without hesitation, I asked if I could adopt the baby. She called her daughter and told her what I had said, and that she wanted us to meet. Her daughter was set on getting an abortion and seemed hesitant about meeting me. The woman said that she was going to proceed with the loan, but pray all the way to Georgia that the procedure couldn’t be done. This was a Thursday.

On Saturday, I got another phone call at work and the voice on the other end said, “well, looks like you’ll have a baby in a few months!” I called several attorneys until I found one that would take my case. I had been saving money to purchase a home for me and my foster child. With God’s help, I had saved over $20,000 to purchase a home. I started praying and trusting God that He was going to intervene and be my guiding light to see me through this situation. I paid the attorney, planned a baby shower, and purchased gifts for this newborn baby that was about to become mine. I spent my entire savings and then some to pay for his adoption. I had to put my house buying on hold until further notice.

November came and I had my baby shower. I found out it was a boy! I decided to name him Ayden Wade Adams after my dad. I was sitting at work on a Thursday and received THE call. His birth mother was in labor and I had to go. I was able to witness Ayden being born and it was the most amazing moment in my life. On New Year’s Day, 2022, we went home. I was so excited, but my attorney also explained that in the State of Alabama birth mothers have a five-day revocation period, in which they can choose to parent. Ayden and I were home for three days, when I got a phone call at 4:30 am. His birth mother wanted to parent. My heart sank. That moment was a game-changer and changed my life in so many ways. I took Ayden to his appointment and then dropped him oV at his birth mother’s house. That was the second hardest goodbye I have ever had to say next to my mom’s passing.

Life went on for six months, and every day Ayden crossed my mind. While working one day, I got a phone call from a social worker asking if I had a phone number for his birth mom or biological dad. I explained what had happened, that I felt something wasn’t right, and asked if he was okay. She said, “he will be!” And that was our conversation.

Two days later I received another phone call from DHR asking if I would take Ayden back. Without any hesitation, I said, “YES!” He was six months old and weighed only 10lbs. He couldn’t sit up on his own, hold his bottle, roll over, or do anything a typical six-month-old could do. I got him into therapy and started working with him.

I knew I wanted to try adopting him again, but that it would be risky. I reached back out to the same attorney and was told I had to endure a six-month abandonment period. Once that ended, I had to pay for a home visit and other legal fees, which was more unexpected money that I no longer had. I was told about applying for grants to oVset some of the cost, so I did. That’s when I got the call from Medea with Oath Fund, and the conversation was awesome. I shared my story, she listened, and a few days later she responded. I received their grant and paid for the legal fees, including the GAL fees. Because of his birth mother’s circumstances, it took longer and my fees were higher. But because I trusted in God and allowed him to lead the way, I was able to buy my home with no money down November 2022, and Ayden’s adoption was finalized November 2024! Ayden is now my son! It felt like a battle, but God never left my side and held my hand through it all. Even when times were dark, He always reminded me that He is and has always been the God that He promised He would be! I share my story every chance I get to encourage anyone going through the same thing I did. This is my testimony and my truth and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Shatay Adams