Where do I even begin. How do I tell the woman who made me a mom thank you? A simple thank you doesn’t even scratch the surface of how I feel. No, it’s more of a gut wrenching gratitude that almost takes all the breath from my lungs when I think of the magnitude of the decision you made that changed my whole life forever. No, a simple thank you would never do. You made a painful, heart stopping, soul crushing, selfless decision to give us the gift of life to call our own. You made us parents. You made me a mom. Before I met you I looked at the world differently, I looked at adoption differently, I looked at family differently. You changed me in so many ways. You will never ever ever know how much you changed me, my life, & my entire world, but know that there is a special spot in my heart for you and there always will be. Know you are thought of every single day in our household & that you are prayed for every time we bow our heads. Before you, my world was smaller & less vibrant, my days were planned & quiet, my nights were long & restful, & I lived for myself. You gave me the gift that brought color into every single moment of my day, you gave me the gift of unexpected schedules & noisy hours, & you gave me the gift of short nights & the need for naps… & it’s all I’ve ever wanted in my entire life. You made me a mom. You didn’t have to choose adoption for Cope. You are strong, you are smart, you are capable. You are his birth mom & always will be. You are also the most selfless person I’ve ever met & chose adoption for Cope because you wanted him to have a mom and a dad… & you chose us. You made us parents. You made me a mom. How do we say thank you? We simply can’t just say thank you. We will say thank you by raising Cope to be the best young man you will ever meet. We will thank you by loving Cope & raising him to love the Lord. We will thank you by loving you & cherishing our relationship. & finally we will thank you by always telling Cope what an amazing woman you are & telling him the selfless loving decision you made to make him our son. & by doing that you made me a mom. The minute you came to our house & asked us to be Cope’s parents I loved you. It was instant… I cared for you deeply & I never knew I could love a perfectly good stranger the way I loved you. The more I learned about you at each doctors appointment and meet-up with you my respect for you grew & you made me want to be the best mom I could ever be. Five short weeks later after I met you I watched as you labored for hours in the hospital bringing our son into the world. I felt pangs of guilt & wanting to take the pain away from you, but mostly I just felt proud. Proud to know you, proud to be connected with you, & most of all proud to tell Cope one day that his birth mom truly loves him & is one of the strongest women I have ever met. After hours of laboring I watched as you pushed our son into the world & we all cried. He was beautiful. Cope made us both moms that day. Society tells us to call you a birth mom & me an adoptive mom.. or just mom. But I will forever think of us as a village of moms for Cope. How lucky is he that his birth mom and his mom are connected in such a loving way and will both be a part of his life since the moment he came into the world. I can’t wait to tell him about the day he came into the world and that we were both there together loving on him & caring for him since day one. He truly has a special story already. Thank you for changing our life story so dramatically with the decision to make us Cope’s parents. You made our outlook on life so much brighter. You made me look at the world with hope and opportunity. You gave me drive that I never thought I would have. After losing 9 babies to miscarriage & going through some of the darkest days I could have ever imagined, you brought the light into my life. You made me look at adoption with more love & respect than I could have ever imagined. You made me look at family as those who come into your lives and who have sacrificed for you and will always be by your side. Family isn’t always blood, it’s love. It’s deep unconditional love that ties us together & made us family. I know adoption looks very different on your end. I know it’s not all vibrant, light, & hope. I know there is anger, I know there is grief, I know there is pain, & I know there are feelings that I can’t even fathom. I know since the day you found out that you were carrying Cope they have been some of the hardest days of your life, but I hope you know that we want to do everything in our power to make this adoption process easier on you. I hope that knowing that you gave us the best gift we could ever receive besides each other & our marriage, makes it a tiny bit easier & a tiny bit brighter for you on those dark days. We are always here for you. We will always love you. & we will forever be grateful for you & the son you gave us. You made us parents. You made me a mom.
Thank you for choosing us & thank you for loving us & most of all thank you for loving Cope. We all love you to the moon and back. xx
A perfect love story <3
This story made me cry so much. This is such a beautiful sentiment to her and you. I lobe the village of Moms and how much love everyone has for each other. It is so beautiful.
Beautiful, just beautiful ???
A beautiful tribute Liz…I feel the love
Beautiful. Crying happy tears over here.?
Oh Liz , so beautifully said ❤️ Tears in my eyes…
Liz you made me cry reading this. I thinks it’s the most beautiful heartfelt thank you I’ve ever read! Happy Mother’s Day! ❤️
Beautifully worded. From the heart. Only you could have said it so well♥️
Perfect
God does write the very best stories for our lives. Adoption is beautiful and can’t be completely discribed until you walk through it. Such beautiful words.
Ok I have to go redo my makeup for work now….a beautiful heartfelt post. Congrats to both of you moms on this coming Mothers Day.
I bow low and applaud both of you. What a beautiful tribute. May God’s blessing be upon your family always. xx
What a beautiful story of an inspirational family , the photos are truly wonderful and Cope is a very lucky young man ………..<3
The sacrifice she made is the definition of TRUE LOVE ! Selfless, generous,brave, beautiful, life giving and strong! I know her decision must have been the most difficult thing she had ever done but the LOVE she has shared underscores that she did the right thing. As she grieves I will be praying for her…for comfort and for a future filled with even more blessings that she can fathom. Liz, you wrote a beautiful tribute that I know she will treasure. Knowing that her baby is loved even more than words can say will help her heal. He has and always will have a family who promise to support, encourage, respect, teach and most importantly, LOVE him forever!
What a beautiful message! Why do we ever doubt –knowing we can trust God to write the best stories, better than we can imagine?? I don’t know, but we all do! What a courageous woman and a what a loving, nurturing home little Cope has. I am so happy for you guys and for his birth mom. She has to have such peace knowing he will be loved and cared for every single second of his life in such a huge way. Praising God for each of you and for allowing Him to use you to write this story, both on the blog and in your lives each day.
Omg this made me cry ugly tears ? Such a beautiful story, Liz. Thank you for sharing ❤️
The purest tears of joy are flowing for this beautifully told moment. I pray for the endless joyful moments to come! I started following you pretty recently and I literally get giddy every time I see a new notification from you 🙂 smiles everyday, thank you.
Hopefully I will have the courage to say HI if I see you lol
Such a beautiful thank you. It made me cry as I am sure others did too. I hope everyone find peace and love throughout this journey. Thank you for sharing with us. ?
Beautiful Liz! What an amazing story of love. Praise the Lord!
Oh Liz, what a powerful story and so beautifully written. Your love for Cope and his birth mom shine through your words and brought a little light into my life today. As a woman struggling through infertility on another Mother’s Day, the pain is real, but stories like yours make it a little less painful, thank you for sharing ?
And I am crying….what beautiful words to an amazing strong women. You all truly have a wonderful story that cope will be so proud of one day. Thank you God for your direction, love, grace and plan for everyone involved. Happy Mother’s Day to both of copes moms!! ?
Liz this is sooo beautiful!! I bawled!!! You wrote this sooo beautifully and I’m sure she sooo proud of the wonderful people she has chosen as parents!! ❤️ You guys are all truly amazing!!
Bring on the waterworks! I’m not sure I’ve ever read such a soulful thank you letter. Your words gave me all the feels. How beautiful! Cope is so blessed to have a couple of God fearing strong women to be Mom in his life. What a story to carry with you each and every day. Happy Mother’s Day!
After reading that she made the perfect decision for the baby to go to you ? tears to my eyes
What a beautiful tribute to her. Love this loving story that came from your loving heart. Cope is amazingly loved by his mothers. God bless you all, our children do change our lives for the best. Enjoy him because they grow up way to fast.
As a adoptee, I never thought about how my mom would feel about my birth mother. I’m 59 and adoption was so different back then. To me, this story is about redemption on so many levels. Beautiful, doesn’t seem to scratch the surface. Love conquers all.
A beautiful love story. Happy Mother’s Day.
xoxo
Kris
I had to stop everything I was doing to focus on this love/thank you letter… after struggling for 20 years of infertility, I became pregnant and this is exactly how I feel to my husband. But this here… her selfless love and yours… gosh this is why you should be a writer.. you stated this soooo eloquently!!! I’m a mess of tears right now and don’t even know if this makes sense but you are BOTH amazing women and Cope is so blessed to have you both!!!
This made me cry!! Liz you have such a beautiful way with words… thank you for always sharing you with us!!
This is so beautifully written, you made me cry. I am beyond happy for you, Jose and Cope. You were given an amazing gift by an amazing woman. Bless each of you.
Oh my goodness! Reading this through tears. Thank you for sharing this beautifully intimate part of your story.?
I am overjoyed with happiness for you, a complete stranger with whom I share the debilitating pain of child loss. I check your blog regularly, hoping to read your so-wished-for good news. And it is here. Congratulations on your beautiful son! I am crying tears of happiness, knowing what a gift you and your husband have received, and the lifetime of happiness that awaits you. Hugs and the warmest of wishes for your new, expanded family. -Monica
Okay here I am balling like a baby… all out of happiness for you and the love that sweet family has. What a wonderful gift and I’m so SO happy for you and Jose! You have such a wonderful way with words, this was beautifully written! Thank you for continuing to share your story although I have never been through the adoption process if it came to that we def would have gone that route but you have given the process such a positive light (even though it’s such an emotional thing). BTW all those pics are gorgeous but can we just admire sweet Winnie loving on Cope… dogs are the absolute best and we truly don’t deserve them!! Hugs to you and thanks again for sharing all the things with us, you family is loved by so many (many who don’t even know you)!!
That was the most inspiring awesome post I have ever read!! I’m so thrilled for all of you! It moved me to tears, to the point I left this comment. I never comment on anyone’s page.
Such a beautiful tribute! As a Labor and Delivery nurse I’ve attended literally thousands of births. The adoptions are the ones that get to me now! The love, joy, sacrifice and selflessness is amazing and a privilege to watch! Bless you all and Happy Mother’s Day to both of you!!
My most favorite post you’ve ever made. I could hardly go see through my tears to read. God bless your beautiful family and God bless The wonderful woman who made you a mom.
Wow. Such a beautiful story written from no other place but love! Writing is a gift for you. I cried.
Bless your ♥️You are a wonderful writer. I am so very happy for you! Your baby is a beautiful blessing❣️
I dont know what has made me cry more, your beautiful words or the beautiful reactions to your beautiful words!! Such a wonderful village of mothers!!
The tears are flowing here today! I too became a mom through two selfless and brave women in Guatemala who wanted their daughters to have a chance at a better life. You put the adoption experience into words so beautifully! I’m so thrilled for you and wish you much joy in your journey as a mom. Best job ever!
She and you are both amazing mama’s!! Thank you for showing the world what love is all about!! ❤️
Happy 1st Mother’s Day Liz. This was a beautiful love letter to Copes birth Mom and one that she will always cherish. Enjoy this weekend with your lovely family ❤️
Just beautiful!
A beautiful forward for a beautiful book on your journey to become a mom. I cannot imagine losing nine babies, my daughter lost two. I see where they would have fit with the others. I hope, in your spare time?, you are writing that book and sharing this for the others that have suffered loss.
So beautiful! So selfless! So incredible! Happy Mother’s Day to you both!
This is the sweetest message you could have ever given to his birth mom ❤️ Tears of joy for you while reading this! Motherhood looks good on you!
This made me cry happy tears,God is so good
Liz…. all I can say is wow . You are truly one of God’s greatest gifts. Your story is going to be a great change in all of us. You made something that most people have known to be so private and scarey to be absolutely beautiful. Beauty out of ashes, that’s what you are Liz. You stand for all things good and pure and I pray that our Lord continues to bless you and Jose in every way possible. I can’t imagine how proud he must be of you. You are loved ♥️
We had our daughter just 3 short weeks ago after years of trying and one IVF cycle. Our stories are so very different but the feelings are all the same. You have a way with words, so touching, so relatable. Congratulations on your little love! He is beautiful!
How can you say words are hard…and write this. Tears.
What a lovely tribute! Congratulations on your first Mother’s Day. ?
Tears in my eyes and joy in my heart ♥️
Happy Mother’s Day! First of many to come!
Agreed. Perefectly written & sooo amazing to feel every word. Congratulations & what a blessing for all
Of us to share this journey with you & your family. Love love love this “ story “ & grateful to be a witness to your life on a daily. Bless you & your sweet lil growing family. Beautiful testimony❤️.
Happy Mother’s Day.. you are worthy of this love!
Oh what beautiful words!! This is so touching and heartfelt. I haven’t been following you long, but long enough to know some of the heartbreak you and your husband have been through. And in the short time that I have been following you I can’t Express in words how very happy I am for the both of you. Baby Cope is a beautiful baby boy and I can tell he is so loved. So grateful and happy for you and the beautiful birth MOM. WOW….our GOD is such a good, good GOD. Happy Mother’s Day dear Liz❤❤❤
Dear Liz Marie,
You are an angel and God chose YOU as did Cope’s birthmom to raise this wonderous child. I am an “adoptee” as is my husband. It is a tie that binds us lime no other. Our birthmoms adored us and made us feel loved every day of their lives. Our selfless birthmoms could have chosen to end their pregnancies with us back in the early 60’s but did not. They gave our moms what she gave you…the new love of your life??. Your journey has just begun! There will be soo many moments that emotionally take you over. Thank you for sharing through such articulate words your thoughts and feelings. Good things come to those who wait and going thru very tough times most definitely makes you appreciate the “best times” one hundred times more. You are an inspiration to so many. To love a child, as i love my two, is what defines me…being a mom. No greater gift. With heartfelt thoughts for your first Mother’s Day, Mary Loizzi
Liz ? the most beautiful most eloquent written letter, story I have ever read. You truly are an Earth Angel . Thank you for. Sharing your story your life. I am so happy for you and Jose. Being a parent is the one of our greatest gifts we get in life if we are lucky enough to be graced with a child. And Winnie made me cry. She is such a precious girl ❤️ Happy Mother’s Day ?
That was the most amazing,heart wrenching , beautiful letter I think I’ve ever read. Cope is one special little boy who will have the same strength of his birth mom and you. What a blessing! God is so good.
I miss my mom because of this.
Thanks Liz
It such a beautiful message :’)
Dear Liz. What a beautiful, loving and heartmooving story. And wonderful pictures also. You are already the sweetest mom and so perfect for little Cope. Thank you for sharing with all of us.
Simply Beautiful…
We adopted our daughter 31 years ago…BEST DAY EVER!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Wow! The Lord is good, all the time!
Wow!!!! That’s just the best and greatest thank you I have ever heard someone tell. A beautiful story of love to the birth mom. Made me just tear up. I have a step son that is in the military. And he sent me the most beautiful text this morning. Your right in saying, family is not always blood. Blessings to both you and the birth mom. Happy Mother’s Day to you both.
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Thank you for sharing your most intimate and beautiful story. Tears flowing. As an adoptive mother of a 28 year old son, it is a reminder of of the tender emotions, sacrifices and joy felt with everyone involved. May God bless you always.
What a beautiful and thoughtful tribute to two moms, a family, a life time of memories and so much love. Happy Mother’s day to you and both of Cope’s moms.
And He makes everything beautiful in its time ecc3:11. What a beautiful tribute. My heart is crying happy tears for you. Praying this birth mom felt loved yesterday and for you all to continue to grow as an extended family to her. What a sweet blessing God has given you. How beautiful for you to take time to share it with us all. Being a mom Isco the best.
So much beauty pours out of you. Thank you for sharing your deepest emotions with us. It is a wonderful tie that binds. May God continue to bless you and your family (birth mom included) each and every day.
If only all children were as wished for, prayed for, and loved as Cope. Blessings for a lifetime of joy and happiness. His plan is often down a path of sorrow and disappointment…but it can lead to something we never dreamed possible!
Wow! I can’t stop crying! What a beautiful, beautiful story this is. Thank you for sharing! My prayers are always with you and your family, and for this lovely lady.????
Reading your beautiful story with tears rolling down my face. Happy tears, tears of absolute joy for you and Jose and baby Cope and the upmost respect to Cope’s birth Mom. Your words were just beautiful.
beautiful** and the puppy picture!!! too much!
Oh, these are the most beautiful, powerful grateful words I have ever read. May God bless every one of you deeply and greatly every day. xx
liz & Jose,
I just love the fact that you are staying close with Cope’s birth mom. You are so special & Cope is one lucky baby!! So very happy for you guys!!
Much love from Nashville,
Joanne
To His Glory. BeautIful and full of love and a deep deep faith.