Schwentker Family Adoption

The best way to describe our beginning is we met through mutual friends. Amanda's childhood best friend was the little sister of Todd's best friend, so there was always knowledge and occasional encounters with one another. It wasn't until after returning home from college that Todd finally asked Amanda on a date, and got turned down...several times. After some serious convincing from Todd's best friend and his wife we agreed to a double date with them, and after that date night we were inseparable. Our mutual liking for laughter and baseball started our sparks, but our love, care, and passion for our friends and family is what really brought us together. While dating we enjoyed traveling together, baseball games, and friends and family gatherings- among other exciting adventures. Todd indulges Amanda's love for Christmas, and Amanda supports Todd's love for college basketball. We have a unique love that is bonded through respect, compromise, and friendship. Our mutual weirdness solidified our destin paths, and beneath a firework lit sky on the fourth of July Todd asked Amanda to be his wife- we married exactly two years after our first date. 

Amanda is the love of my life. She is the most caring and kind person I know and the best mother our daughter could ever ask for. Amanda has a huge heart as she is always more concerned about everyone else and rarely takes time for herself.  She can always get you to smile whether she is making a joke or retelling an epic adventure from the past.  If you are Amanda's family or friend, you know that she will always be there for anything you need.  I knew I had a keeper when we discovered our love for baseball... even though she likes the wrong team.  Amanda is definitely one person that everyone is thankful to have as a part of their life and I am lucky enough to call her my wife. 

Todd is truly my best friend. He is someone I can count on when times are tough and celebrate with when things are good. What I love most about Todd is his sense of humor and his ability to ground everyone around him.  Todd is super smart, friendly, kind, genuine, a bit goofy, and quite the comedian. He has a passion for life and spreads that to those around him. His avidity for running absoluetly amazes me, and his dedication to those he loves insires me. Todd is the best team player in our marriage and the greatest dad to our daughter. Tenley and I absolutely adore him.

Tenley is six years old and is the light of our lives. She is our little sugar and spice. She's super sassy and spunky, but is also the absolute sweetest and nurturing little girl. Tenley loves to cuddle up and watch movies and snuggle with our puppies. She is often found laying with our pups and reading a book to them. The little miss is insanely smart, kind, and gentle. She is a leader amung her classmates, and frequently helps those around her that are struggling. Tenley loves to be active as well. She enjoys playing teeball, soccer, and gymnastics- she's always flipping and cartwheeling around the house. Her eagerness for life shines when she is engaged in activities. She is a social butterfly, making friends everywhere she goes. One of her favorite activities is enjoying free play with the neighborhood kids in our backyard. Tenley radiates joy and encompasses the meaning of life. Her kindness and love for others will make her the absolute best big sister. 

It was Fall when we received the best news of our lives. A distant high school acquaintance of a family member contacted us about a possible adoption situation. In a matter of days we met Tenley's birth mother and began our journey. We met our birthmother when she was just 6 weeks pregnant. We developed an outstanding bond. Through the entirety of her pregnancy she was incarcerated, but that did not damper our ability to develop a lasting relationship. We spoke daily on the phone and visited her once or twice a week- as was all that was allowed. We were involved with as much of the pregnancy as she and the facility would allow. She gracefully allowed us to be a part of every step with her and we were able to be there when Tenley was born. Together the three of us got to watch Tenley take her first breath, cry her first cry, and see the world for the first time. The entire experience was incredibly unique and tremendously beautiful. This experience will forever be seared in our hearts. We were given a hospital room and were allowed to share two days with Tenley and her birthmother continuing to cultivate our relationship. After leaving the hospital, we continued to speak with our birthmother at times of her request; respecting her needs was our priority. We met briefly four months later and shared a moving moment together. 

Since, we have been unable to visit Tenley's birthmother; but thankfully we keep in touch through letters and send pictures often. We have even recently been able to video call. Although our communication is sporatic as of late, our bond is something that is unexplainable and no matter how much physical distance we may experience, the love, admiration, and care we feel will never waiver. She is irrevocably near and dear to us. She is family and will forever be in our thoughts, prayers, and lives.