The adoption took time. the love arrived instantly.

On February 12th, 2016, Reed Lee Morlan was born. It was 8:45 AM at Holy Spirit Hospital in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Leandra and Bryson made the trip up to be there the minute he was born. They had waited 8 long months for this moment.

Bryson and Leandra began working with Bethany Christian Services in June of 2015.

• By November of 2015 they were put on the waiting list.
• December 16th 2015, they had their first meeting with a birth family.

Little did they know, this family would give them the greatest gift they could ever imagine.

Leandra says their 45 minute scheduled meeting quickly turned into a 3 hour meeting because they hit it off so well with the birth family. To hear her tell it, she describes it as a “God” story, which is enough to give you goosebumps. The Morlans and the birth family have an open adoption, meaning the birth family is able to reach out to them momentarily and keep in touch.

The birth family had one request; for Reed’s middle name to be Lee. Little did they know, Leandra and Bryson had already picked out Lee for a middle name; God Story.

I was so excited when Leandra asked me to do Reed’s newborn photos! Of course, in true Reed fashion, he did great. Such a cool, calm and collected little boy! He was a dream! AND my FIRST froggy pose!

Leandra then broke the news that they weren’t allowed to post any photos of little Reed on social media until 6 months later. I could not even begin to imagine how hard it would be to not be able to show off pictures of this handsome little man for a whole 6 months (almost 7).

You can imagine how honored I was, when I got a message from Leandra, asking me to photograph their court date where they would be finalizing their adoption. It was such a great experience to be able to give the Morlan’s lifetime memories with newborn photos but this would be just as special.

I showed up, thinking it would be Bryson, Leandra, Reed and a few family and friends. What was I thinking? That this family, who has SO much support, would only have a few people there? HA

There were parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, in laws, colleagues, church members and friends. While the actual court hearing was in progress I was not allowed to take any photos, so that gave me the opportunity to observe, and observe I did.

Tears. So. many. happy tears.

It was like a weight was lifted off everyone’s shoulders. You could see how proud everybody in that room was from the looks in their eyes. Even the stoic judge couldn’t keep a straight face. Reed, of course, didn’t make a peep. Everything went so smoothly.

At the end of the court hearing, the family attorney, Daya Wright, threw some blue candy in the air and exclaimed “IT’S A BOY!”.

She was so great. Such a sweet lady! She had adoption signs made that the Morlan’s loved. (They were perfect!) She really played a part in making their day that much more memorable.

1 John 3:1New International Version (NIV)

3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Matthew 18:5New International Version (NIV)

5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

This will forever be a moment that I remember. Being able to be a part of something so special. Such a wonderful family to have crossed paths with. I don’t know who’s luckier, Leandra & Bryson, or Reed.

Romans 9:8King James Version (KJV)

8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Reed stole Bryson and Leandra’s hearts on February 12th. September 15th it was finalized on paper. <3

 

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