Born three months early to a mother who could not care for her, Charlotte faced a dismal road.  A miracle for just surviving, she was completely alone, without a family to love her as she struggled to survive.  Weighing only 1 lb. 10 oz. at birth, Cerebral Palsy and potential effects of prenatal exposure to cocaine and alcohol were distinct possibilities.  But after meeting the tiny baby at UW’s neonatal intensive care unit, and holding her delicate hands through the incubator, Paul and Doug knew this was their daughter.

“It was a calling,” said Doug.  “We have an abundance.  We’re not rich, but we have a lot to offer.”

Doug and Paul came to the hospital every day for two months to be with Charlotte.  They held her, read to her, fed her the first bottle, comforted her when she had surgery and seizures, and celebrated every step of progress.  On August 4, Charlotte left the hospital for the first time, carefully protected in her dads’ arms.

Amara staff worked with Paul and Doug every step of the way—first in their journey to become licensed and approved foster and adoptive parents, and later supporting them through the daunting process of adopting a child out of the state welfare system and making sure they had the support and resources to care for a medically fragile infant.

Charlotte thrived in the love of her dads, and on April 21, 2006—the day before her first birthday—the adoption was finalized, though there was never any doubt in Paul and Doug’s minds that their family was forever.

“She was born with nobody and no name.  And she celebrated her first birthday with a name and a family who loves her,” said Paul.