“However motherhood comes to you, it’s a miracle.”
-Valerie Harper

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mamas out there!

Today I want to celebrate adoptive moms with their huge hearts and warm hugs.

But I would be remiss to forget about birth moms. The women that make the selfless beauty of adoption possible in the first place.

And I certainly won’t forget the women still yearning and praying to be mothers.  The desire is real and often all-consuming.

I believe in prayer, and today I pray for all of these women.  And for the children waiting for their forever family.

Besides prayer and possibly adopting myself someday, I felt I could show my support by displaying some of the pure beauty, magic, love, and dedication that is adoption.  I embarked on a special project to show the face of adoption in the community around me.  I just wanted to tell a joyful story with a few simple photographs.

But working with these amazing families touched me even more than I dreamed.  They are believers, diligent advocates, selfless givers, and proud parents.  These women have been on beautiful journeys, some with roads long and painful.  But you should see them with their children!  The children that are thriving in their unconditional, pure love.  The children that were chosen…

By mothers that could only have been hand picked by God.

“adoption is the discovery 
that anyone on earth could be your beloved child 
your mother, sister, brother, father… 
that the heart is capable of so much more, 
so very much more…” 
― Kate Mullane Robertson

“Adoptive Mom? I am a Mom. I need no other label or prefix.”
Joanne Greco

“The adoption was challenging. The love arrived instantly.”

-Unknown

“For this child I have prayed, and the Lord has given me what I asked of Him.”

1 Samuel 1:27

“I have four children. Two are adopted. I forget which two.”
Bob Constantine

“Longing for a child to love,
I’d wish upon the stars above.
In my heart I always knew,
A part of me was meant for you.
I think how happy we will be,
Once I adopt you, and you adopt me.
I dream of all the joy you’ll bring,
Imagining even the littlest things.
The way it will feel to hold you tight,
And tuck you in every night.
The drawings on the refrigerator door,
And childhood toys across the floor,
The favorite stories read again and again,
And hours of games with make-believe friends.
The day you took my outstretched hand,
A journey ended, but our lives began.
Still mesmerized by your sweet face,
Still warmed inside by our first embrace.
I promised to give you a happy home,
And a loving family all your own.
A house you’ve now made complete,
With laughter, smiles and tiny feet.
A parent is one who guides the way,
Know I will be there everyday.
Rest easy as each night you sleep,
A lifetime of love is yours to keep.
Longing for a child to love,
I’d wish upon the stars above.
In my heart I always knew,
A part of me belonged to you.”
Teri Harrison

Chelsea Lietz Photography specializes in newborn, baby, child and maternity photography in San Antonio, Texas and surrounding areas including but not limited to Stone Oak and New Braunfels.