Making the decision to place a child for adoption is an incredibly challenging choice, even when it is clear that it is in the best interest of both mother and child. In a touching act of love, Sarah Thompson from Utah recorded a heartfelt video for her newborn son, hoping that he would one day understand the depth of her feelings for him. Hours before she entrusted him to his adoptive family, she captured her thoughts on camera, intending for her son to watch it as he grew older.
In the emotional video shared on the Love What Matters Facebook page, an emotional Sarah explains to her baby son, Liam, why she selected another couple to raise him. “This is my son, Liam, whom I placed for adoption in March of 2016,” she expressed in the video’s description. “This footage was created so that he would always know this choice was made entirely out of love. He will never have to think that I ‘gave him up’ or that I didn’t love him. He will always know that he was loved deeply.”
Speaking directly to baby Liam, she pours out her heart, articulating her feelings in an effort to address any future questions he may have. “Right now, it’s the last hour before I send you off to your new parents, and I just want you to know how much I love you. More than anyone else in this world,” she shares. “I made this decision purely out of love. If I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t be in this position, and you wouldn’t have this wonderful family.”
At just 18 years old, Sarah became pregnant, while Liam’s father, Jake, was 20. In the video, she recalls how excited he was about the pregnancy. “He loved you so much from the very start,” she says. “During my eight-week appointment when I heard your heartbeat for the first time, he was in class, so I texted him, and he rushed out, ecstatic.”
In interviews, Sarah revealed that although she and Jake were committed to each other, they mutually agreed on the adoption plan. “We were both young, with limited college and work experience, so we felt it was the best choice. We found immense peace in this decision,” she explains. However, tragedy struck just two days after they heard Liam’s heartbeat. “Jake passed away in his sleep, and the autopsy was inconclusive,” Sarah said, detailing the heart-wrenching loss that left her devastated.
For months after Jake’s death, Sarah struggled to think about the adoption plan they had discussed. “I was so heartbroken that I couldn’t even consider adoption. Liam felt like my last connection to Jake,” she shared. Yet, in time, Sarah realized that Liam deserved a life filled with opportunity. “I began to understand that he was his own individual and needed a chance to thrive,” she explained.
Using resources from Adoption.com, she found Liam’s adoptive parents, Emily and Mark, and instantaneously knew they were the right fit. “Emily and I connected on so many levels in just two days. I asked all the hard questions, and her answers were incredible,” she recalls. The two women spent time together throughout Sarah’s pregnancy, bonding as they prepared for Liam’s arrival.
Nearly two years later, Sarah is grateful to share her love for Liam openly. She describes their relationship with Emily and Mark as more than just an open adoption; it feels like family. “My parents consider all of Emily and Mark’s kids their grandchildren. We celebrate holidays together, and it just feels like one big family,” she shares.
The love that Sarah, Emily, and Mark have for Liam emphasizes that having more people who care for a child is a reason to rejoice. “Emily is one of my closest friends, and I admire her as a mother. She has been so generous in allowing my family to love Liam as well,” Sarah says.
Creating the video for Liam was essential for Sarah, despite the emotional challenge it presented. “I wanted him to understand how real and raw this experience was. I wanted him to know that he was loved beyond measure and that I trusted his new family to care for him,” she explains. Although she never expected her video to gain widespread attention, she hopes it encourages others to consider open adoptions.
Sarah emphasizes that every birth mother deserves support in their decision, regardless of their circumstances. “My experience, while unique, reflects what many birth mothers go through. Each deserves love and understanding,” she concluded.
Resources for Family Building
For those interested in exploring options for building their families, check out this guide on home insemination kits. Furthermore, for more information on pregnancy, visit Healthline’s pregnancy resource. If you’re curious about adoption, you can find valuable insights at Modern Family Blog.
Summary
Sarah Thompson, a Utah mother, created a poignant video for her son Liam before placing him for adoption, sharing her love and the difficulty of her decision. Despite the tragedy of losing Liam’s father, Sarah found peace in choosing a loving family for her son. Their open adoption has formed a beautiful bond that celebrates love and connection.