Les and Diane Hewlett
Diane’s Answers:
When you found out about Robbie and Amy, what did you think?
I was very thankful because I knew that De and Don were so happy. They had wanted a baby for so long.
Describe your first impressions of when you met them?
I thought Robbie and Amy were very nice young people and that it was wonderful that they were going to give Dee (my daughter) and Don such a wonderful gift. Amy was so pretty and she seem very shy and quiet. I think she was nervous about meeting us, as we were about meeting her.
How did you prepare for the birth & adoption of Deanna?
I talked to friends and prayed a lot. The thing I was most worried about was that the birth family would want Deanna back. That would just about kill me
What did your extended family say about the adoption?
They were also happy but we were all a bit nervous about an "open" adoption
What did your friends say about the adoption?
That it was great But they had never heard about an open adoption and wouldn't that be a problem.
How did you adjust to the adoption?
At first I was nervous about the birth parents wanting to take Deanna away. As time went on and I really got to know them, I saw how really nice they were and it has eased my fears.
How do/did you tell people about the adoption?
I just say that Deanna is adopted and that it is an open adoption and everyone seems to be very happy about how it is going.
What questions do people always ask you about the adoption? And how do you answer?
They usually ask how it is working out and and they sometimes seem surprise about how great things are going with everyone. They also ask about how much the birth family sees Deanna. I say that they are all really good friend and they see her often.
What has contact been like since Deanna was born?
Well, I am De's mother and I see Deanna whenever I can. She is the light of my life and it would be impossible to love her anymore than I do. We always make something - I love crafts and I can see that Deanna enjoys being creative. She usually surprises me at how creative and well she does everything.
What event stands out in your mind about our journey? (whether funny, silly, serious, sweet)
When I first heard about De and Don getting a baby, I was so excited. All of my friends have grandchildren and I wanted one too.
When Deanna was born and they brought her home from the hospital and there were so many of the birth family around, I was a little bothered by that. The birth family seemed to be there much more than I could be (we had moved 3 hours away and they lived close by). My greatest fear was that they would want to take her away - even though everything was legal. I was even jealous that they had such a great relationship with Deanna. As time went by and I got to know them better, I saw how much they loved her. They were all good friends with Dee and Don and were like family.
My fears have gone away as I have seen how this relationship as a family has developed. They are all great people and we are all very blessed to be one big family now. Deanna is so lucky to have a large extended family that love her so very much. It has taken me quite a while to grow into this. I guess I was jealous at first because I wanted to be Deanna's favorite grandmother but now that doesn't bother me. We have a great relationship with Deanna and could not love her anymore if she were our "blood" granddaughter.
I would like to thank Amy and Robbie for having Deanna and giving us such a wonderful child to raise and love. There are really no words that can express that. It has also been wonderful to get to know them and their families. Again, I want to say "THANK YOU" to them.
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Les’s Answers:
When you found out about Robbie and Amy, what did you think?
I was both happy and apprehensive. It was obvious both De and Don wanted a child but so many efforts, including a disappointing foster child experience, had been in vain. The opportunity to adopt an infant without the hassle of being on a waiting list or resorting to a foreign adoption, was a miracle.
Describe your first impressions of when you met them?
Our first ‘meeting’ was in Amy’s hospital room and seemed as if we were simply visiting friends. As it turned out, we were.
What did your extended family say about the adoption?
Both the Markham and Hewlett families were happy for the adoptive parents.
What did your friends say about the adoption?
Friends were happy as well.
What questions do people always ask you about the adoption? And how do you answer?
They are inquisitive how the ‘open adoption’ is working. We simply say that from our viewpoint, it is working splendidly.
What has contact been like since Deanna was born?
Since this set of grandparents live near Wilmington, contacts have been more frequent since De, Don and Deanna moved to Myrtle Beach. The 75 miles between families allows either family to visit the other at the ‘drop of a hat’, yet still allows the privacy needed to preserve one’s sanity and avoid the ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ effect.
What event stands out in your mind about our journey? (whether funny, silly, serious, sweet)
It has been very rewarding to watch our grandaughter Deanna grow sweeter each visit and to see our daughter, De, get payback as Mom. (wait for those teenage years)
