Michelle Hutton
When you found out about Don and De, what did you think?
I honestly thought that this would never work, that De and Don would be strangers taking care of my sister's baby. I was so afraid that something would go wrong for Amy, and that she would be kept from seeing her baby.
Describe your first impressions of when you met them?
I didn't meet De and Don until about 4 months after the adoption. I was very nervous, but my first impression of them was that they seemed like part of my family the minute we were introduced. They were very open and and we really got to know one another. The second I met them and saw them with Deanna I stopped worrying.
How did you prepare for the birth & adoption of Deanna?
I was very nervous, especially for Amy, since she was facing the biggest decision of her life. I kept telling myself that it was her choice, and all I could do was support her.
What did your extended family say about the adoption?
I didn't talk much with my extended family about the adoption, but everyone seemed to have a really great attitude about it, especially when we got to see what loving parents De and Don are.
What did your friends say about the adoption?
Some of my friends are still very skeptical when I tell them about Amy and Deanna. They wonder how it worked out for her, and some even try to tell me stories about open adoptions gone wrong. They only thing I can do I assure them with all my heart that everything has worked out better than anyone can imagine. The rest of my friends are all very supportive and are pleasantly surprised that things have gone so well for Amy, Deanna, De, and Don.
How did you adjust to the adoption?
Meeting De and Don was the one thing that really got me used to the adoption. Before meeting them they were just strangers taking care of my niece, but after I met them I saw what wonderful parents they are. It is especially touching to see the close relationship Amy and De have.
How do/did you tell people about the adoption?
Usually I talk about Deanna to people, and then throw in that her adopted parents help us to see her often and follow her childhood. Then people ask how I still get to see Deanna if she has been adopted, which leads into my description of the open adoption and how great everything has worked out for everyone involved.
What questions do people always ask you about the adoption? And how do you answer?
People always ask me how everything worked out for everyone. I tell them that De and Don are just really wonderful people, and work hard to keep our family involved with theirs. They send us pictures of Deanna and came to visit us at our house in Pittsburgh twice. They are a huge part of our family and lives now.
What has contact been like since Deanna was born?
Since I live far away, I haven't been able to see Deanna much. When I do get to see her, though, we have a great time. She is so precocious and I love watching her learn and play.
What event stands out in your mind about our journey? (whether funny, silly, serious, sweet)
One event that stands out in my mind was when Amy called me to tell her Don had sent some of Deanna's recent pictures to her. Don had pointed out that Deanna no longer resembled Amy, but seemed to look more and more like me. Amy was rather put-out, but it became a huge joke with us that her baby looked more like me, and I was delighted that De and Don were thinking of me.
Oh, another great event was when Deanna called me (with some assistance from Don) to tell me that she was reading the book I had sent her for her birthday. They told me that it's one of her favorite books and she knows exactly who sent it to her.
