My name is Andrea Detweiler. 5 years, 11 months, and 14 days ago my beautiful twin daughters, Emma and Isabelle, were born. Their biological father was not around, which was ok. He was not (nor has been) in a place where he was able to care for himself, let alone children. With help of family, friends, and God we had all we needed.
On September 20, 2014, unknown to me, I met the man who would become my husband and a father to my girls. Over the course of the next year, Emma, Isabelle, and I got to know Justin. On September 19, 2015, he asked me to be his wife, knowing he was also asking to be a father to the twins.
On our wedding day Justin made vows to me as his wife, and to Emma and Isabelle as his stepdaughters, just as I made vows to him and to his daughter, Eden. We became a family in our hearts and before our friends, family, and God.
Our journey to become a family began the day we met, but did not end on our wedding day. We've recently discovered that the adoption process is very expensive. The lawyers we have acquired have a minimum fee of $5,000 for step-parent adoptions.
They agreed for us to pay only the first $2,000 of the retainer to begin the process, but will shortly require the remaining $3,000 (plus additional filing fees) to finish the process. There are double of certain fees because the adoption papers must be filed separately for each child.
We paid the inital $2,000 today, nearly clearing out our entire savings. We had some second thoughts, about timing and finances, but we believe this is the path God has set before us.
We are asking friends and family to consider donating to help us in this journey to make our family "legally" whole. If you were planning to buy the twins (or any of us for that matter) a birthday gift or Christmas gift over the next few years, we ask that you would consider, instead, donating to help us. There is no amount too small! I've always believed that every penny counts!
This adoption means so much to our family. It means that the twins will have the same last name as their family. It means that Justin will have all the parental rights he deserves as the father he already is. It also means that the twins' biological father will not have legal rights to disrupt their lives in the future. It means peace of mind, and a whole family.
We are all, already thankful that you have taken the time to read about our journey. We know that those who choose to donate, do not do so lightly. We will be forever grateful to all who help us in this adoption. Thank you for your time, your prayers, kind words, and financial support!
On September 20, 2014, unknown to me, I met the man who would become my husband and a father to my girls. Over the course of the next year, Emma, Isabelle, and I got to know Justin. On September 19, 2015, he asked me to be his wife, knowing he was also asking to be a father to the twins.
On our wedding day Justin made vows to me as his wife, and to Emma and Isabelle as his stepdaughters, just as I made vows to him and to his daughter, Eden. We became a family in our hearts and before our friends, family, and God.
Our journey to become a family began the day we met, but did not end on our wedding day. We've recently discovered that the adoption process is very expensive. The lawyers we have acquired have a minimum fee of $5,000 for step-parent adoptions.
They agreed for us to pay only the first $2,000 of the retainer to begin the process, but will shortly require the remaining $3,000 (plus additional filing fees) to finish the process. There are double of certain fees because the adoption papers must be filed separately for each child.
We paid the inital $2,000 today, nearly clearing out our entire savings. We had some second thoughts, about timing and finances, but we believe this is the path God has set before us.
We are asking friends and family to consider donating to help us in this journey to make our family "legally" whole. If you were planning to buy the twins (or any of us for that matter) a birthday gift or Christmas gift over the next few years, we ask that you would consider, instead, donating to help us. There is no amount too small! I've always believed that every penny counts!
This adoption means so much to our family. It means that the twins will have the same last name as their family. It means that Justin will have all the parental rights he deserves as the father he already is. It also means that the twins' biological father will not have legal rights to disrupt their lives in the future. It means peace of mind, and a whole family.
We are all, already thankful that you have taken the time to read about our journey. We know that those who choose to donate, do not do so lightly. We will be forever grateful to all who help us in this adoption. Thank you for your time, your prayers, kind words, and financial support!