National Adoption Month

Lori Ann and Jewell

My story begins with my parents, Kenny and Kathy, and their immense love for children. After fostering and patiently waiting on an adoption list for 13 years, Catholic Charities of Louisville placed my older sister, Jewell, in my family’s loving arms. As Jewell grew, she realized she was lonely and wanted a little sister she could play with, and eventually, boss around (an endeavor in which she very much succeeded). So, after placing themselves back on the list to adopt, my parents continued to wait. At times they were skeptical, because receiving and adopting two children is an unlikely occasion. However, like my parents always do, they remained hopeful and had great faith.

After what had seemed like forever, one day, my mom Kathy received a phone call from Catholic Charities. There was a birth mother who was due very soon, and wanted her baby girl to be placed in a loving family with an older sibling. The Dobson family was a perfect match!

Bound with endless excitement, my family prepared for another little baby to arrive at her forever home. In fact, the entire neighborhood waited my arrival! Then, on April 3^rd, 1998, my dad, Kenny, received a phone call while at work, driving his eighteen-wheeler. My birth mother, on the other line, informed my dad that she was in labor. It was finally time! My dad turned his truck around and headed straight toward my birthmother as quickly as he could. When he arrived at her house he quite literally picked her up, as he carried her down the stairs, into his truck, and into the hospital. No one was around to help, so he grabbed a doctor by the arm, and waited alongside my mom and birth mother for the next thirteen hours that she was in labor.

Baby Lori Ann with her parents

On April 4^th, 1998, a four pound little girl, Lori Ann Elizabeth Dobson was born. For the next ten days, I remained in the hospital, frequently visited by people who simply could not wait to meet me! Finally, when I was brought home, there was a huge celebration. A family of three became four; perfect and complete.

Ten months later, February 22, 1999, my family waited nervously in the lobby of the Bullitt County Courthouse. The judge signed the papers that finalized my adoption as official! This was the happiest day of my parents’ lives (according to me, of course). From then on, February 22^nd has been my favorite day of the year. As a child, my mom and dad would both leave work early, pick my sister and I up from school, and let me pick any place I wanted to go to spend the evening. No matter if it was Chuck E. Cheese or the Olive Garden, my sister and parents would always make my day so special.

I like to say I was the luckiest baby in the world. I have been raised in a very large family who has never once made me question how much I am loved. No matter how goofy or strange they are, I couldn’t imagine my life without them. No matter how your family became yours, they will always be family. Adoption is so beautiful and should be celebrated. Every adopted kid has their story, but mine just happens to be my favorite.