Dear Dawson,

It’s been nearly one month since I met you, and I cannot stop thinking about you! To think I could have missed meeting you takes my breath away.

You see, we came to see your foster brother, as we have been advocating for him and were excited to get an update on how he is doing. While we were there visiting, you walked in. I was immediately struck by your quiet and calm--almost timid-- demeanor.

You sat quietly observing our interactions with your foster brother, especially eyeing the maze he was so diligently trying to solve. After our meeting with your foster brother, I handed you that maze and your eyes lit up! Within a few minutes, you solved it! I had to know more about you.

We learned you, too, are eligible for international adoption. Sadly, because of a glitch in the system, your information never made it to any lists! You lost years and years of potential advocacy and family because of a clerical error.

In that moment, I made a promise to you in my heart that I will do absolutely all that I can to find you your forever family!

I’ll do my best to find you a family who loves the things you love! Perhaps they’ll have a pet bunny. Or maybe they’ll love to cook potatoes and sausage--your favorite! Or maybe they love to travel! Perhaps they love watching soccer like you! Or maybe they will have other interests that they can expose you to while you share your passions with them! Either way, I will be sure that they know and support your dream to become an archeologist.

It didn’t take long for your shy exterior to fall away as you let your guard down. I saw you, Dawson. I saw your heart. I saw your hopes and your dreams of one day having a family to call your own. Thank you, Dawson, for giving us a glimpse of the confident, sweet, respectful boy that you are! Though it has taken me a while to write this letter, I promise you, Dawson, I have already been hard at work starting the search for your forever! I hope and pray that the next time I see you will be on this side of the ocean with your forever family.

Sincerely,

Your friend,

Austyn

If you are interested in learning more about 13-year-old Dawson or about our Colombia adoption program, please complete and submit the confidential, no-cost Prospective Adoptive Parent form. An adoption specialist will be in touch.