I recently had the opportunity to interview hopeful adoptive parents Dan and Michelle from Illinois.
Expectant mothers have the opportunity to speak with waiting families before they make their decision, but sometimes it’s nice to just get a little more info to understand who they are.
I asked them some fun questions that you won’t find in their adoption profile, and I learned that they are a loving, family-oriented Christian couple who are so excited to become first-time parents through adoption!
1. What is a piece of advice or a life-tip that’s always stuck with you?
Michelle: My sister always told me growing up to be yourself and follow my dreams. That each day is a new day.
Dan: My grandfather told me always to find something to make you smile and laugh about. Humor is a great way to get us through any challenges. It is hard to frown when you are smiling.
2. What are 4 words your friends would use to describe each of you?
Dan:
- Driven
- Funny (always making people laugh)
- Caring (would drop what I am doing to help someone in need)
- Spontaneous (on the weekend, I will say, “hey, let’s go on a mini road trip!” or, to the zoo or go on a hike)
Michelle:
- Compassionate
- Lighthearted
- Genuine
- Determined (I’m always striving to reach my goals)
3. Is adoption already a part of your family?
Adoption is part of Dan’s family as his mom and uncle were both adopted. They were born overseas, where Dan’s grandma was from, and she brought them here as young children. Michelle has a close friend that adopted two children and is adopted herself.
4. What is something from your childhood that you want to make sure your child has or gets to experience?
Michelle: Throughout my childhood, my parents were all about experiences and learning new things. I want to be able to share that with our child. I remember going on vacations where my mom had me keep a daily log on what I saw and learned. We would use that to make a picture scrapbook of our trips, and I always enjoyed that time with her talking about our family trips as we put the scrapbook together.
Dan: Growing up, I was constantly outdoors, from hiking through the woods, swimming in lakes, canoeing, and rolling down sand dunes. This has ingrained in me an exceptional love of nature and getting away from it all. Some of my best memories are laying down in a field and looking up and counting stars with the crackling of the fire in the background. As a parent, I would love to see the sparkle in a child’s eye as they see their first deer or spot the bigger dipper in the sky.
Curious to know more about Dan and Michelle?
You can view their adoptive family profile online.
If you’re interested in talking to them as potential adoptive parents to your baby, just text or call Lifetime at
1-800-923-6784 and we can connect you with them.
As the Vice President (VP) of Lifetime Adoption, Heather Featherston holds an MBA and is passionate about working with those facing adoption, pregnancy, and parenting issues. Heather has conducted training for birth parent advocates, spoken to professional groups, and has appeared on television and radio to discuss the multiple aspects of adoption. She has provided one-on-one support to women and hopeful adoptive parents working through adoption decisions.
Since 2002, she has been helping pregnant women and others in crisis to learn more about adoption. Heather also trains and speaks nationwide to pregnancy clinics to effectively meet the needs of women who want to explore adoption for their child. Today, she continues to address the concerns women have about adoption and supports the needs of women who choose adoption for their child.
As a published author of the book Called to Adoption, Featherston loves to see God’s hand at work every day as she helps children and families come together through adoption.
