Omar & Angela Kinder

BIG news!! We are excited to announce that we have started the adoption process and are waiting to be matched! So many may be familiar with our story, but for those of you who are not, here is the short(er) version:

“Life is full of surprises, and one of them is finding the one for you most unexpectedly.” Omar and I (Angela) met overseas when he was still active-duty in the Army, and I worked for an academic institution. One night, we crossed paths at a mutual friend’s event and shared our first words. Innocently, we had no clue where this would go. Omar was on track to return to the US to start a new chapter. And who would have even thought how much this night would impact our lives?

“Blood doesn’t make a family; love does.” Years after we were married, we learned of my infertility challenges after much difficulty. Yet, despite the news, we maintained our hopefulness about becoming parents through adoption.

There’s more than one route to parenthood, and adoption has been a special topic of conversation for us in our marriage. We both understand that many children don’t have the safe, caring, supportive home environments they deserve; we can provide all and more.

During our home study process, we learned just how expensive it is to adopt. If you did not know, adoption-related costs could easily cost $45,000 and more. We would be lying if we were not stunned by what we heard. However, we didn’t want the financial barrier to keep us from bringing home a child and fulfilling our dreams of becoming a family.

“It takes a village.” With our home study now approved, part of our adoption process was to begin a crowdfunding campaign. Through this, we hoped to ease the financial burden that quickly overwhelms adoptive parents. We set a goal of raising $40,000 and doing the rest out of pocket. And we hope that by inviting you into this process, you will see yourself as part of our community by helping us grow our family. Any contribution would undoubtedly mean the world to us (and all donations are tax-deductible!). And if you cannot donate, we would appreciate all your prayers and incredible energy on our journey.

“Strength in numbers.” Words cannot express our gratitude for our family and many friends who have supported us financially, through prayer, and by sharing encouraging words along the way as we embark on this new chapter to provide a home to a beautiful precious child. This cheer of support shows us that we are not alone. We are so humbled and thankful and, importantly, want you to understand you are helping us pave the road for us to be parents, and we are forever grateful to every one of you!

We will continually use this platform to update our progress as we pursue adoption.

*AdoptTogether is a project of Hoping Hearts Foundation, an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) organization.