Advertisement

Calgary birth mom in open adoption hopes for reunion later in life

Click to play video: 'Calgary birth mom in open adoption hopes for reunion later in life'
Calgary birth mom in open adoption hopes for reunion later in life
WATCH ABOVE: There are times when an open adoption doesn't always evolve the way it's supposed to. Despite all the best intentions, the birth mom often withdraws with the hope of a reunion later in life. Here's Jill Croteau with the final installment of her three-part series, Forever Families – Nov 16, 2016

They hadn’t even met her yet and already a mother who had just given birth chose her baby’s new parents. A birth mom went through files of adoptive parents and decided Pamela and John Ramotowski deserved the gift of her newborn son.

This is Part III of Jill Croteau’s three-part series on open adoption: Forever Families. Click here for Part I and here for Part II.

Jackson Ramotowski.

The Ramotowskis were on the adoption list at the Alberta agency Adoption Options, which offers open adoptions—in which the birth parent stays involved in the child’s life, even as he or she is raised by adoptive parents.

Story continues below advertisement

When the couple got the call from their social worker to come to the hospital to meet their new child, they were filled with emotion.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“We went in to the nursery and there he was,” Pamela remembers. “We stood there on either side of him and just had that feeling of love.”

John said he’ll never forget that moment.

“The first time I laid eyes on Jackson I knew he was mine.

Minutes later, the birth mom walked into that nursery to meet them for the very first time.

“She looked at us and she said, ‘hi mom and dad’ and looked at (Jackson) and said, ‘you’re the luckiest little boy in the world and you’re gonna have such a great life,’” Pamela said through tears.

Less than two years later, they got a call from the same adoption agency to tell them their birth mom was pregnant again and wanted them to have her second-born. Jackson was about to be a big brother.

“It was amazing to be the first person to hold him and that was such a gift the birth mom gave us,” Pamela said.

Story continues below advertisement

Pamela Ramotowski and Max

But that would be the last time they would see her. Despite arrangements of an open adoption, the birth mom decided that for now, it’s best not to visit.

John said they look forward to the day she’s ready to be a bigger part of their family.

Adoption Options executive director Sheryl Proulx said birth moms experience many feelings.

“There’s huge loss and grief making an adoption plan.”

The Ramotowskis said they will be patient and wait for the right time for everyone involved.

Story continues below advertisement

“It would be wonderful if we could have more of a relationship with her,” Pamela said. “She’s amazing and she’s very giving and loving and very spiritual and would be a great gift for the boys.”

Sponsored content

AdChoices