“I got pregnant in April and I started nursing school in Maryland in the fall,” Joelene began. “I told my parents I was pregnant in September and came home. I never call it an unwanted pregnancy. Katarina was definitely wanted. Unplanned, yes.”

“People that I graduated from high school with were a little surprised when they found out I was pregnant. I was a straight A student with a scholarship.”

“Katarina's birth father and I decided to look at adoption, without necessarily making a decision,” Joelene recalled. “I couldn't bring the baby home to my house, but I wanted to keep her. Then, one morning I woke up and I said 'I can't do this.' I grew up with a mom and a dad. I wanted that for her and I wanted to have a life. I know how hard it is when you're single with a baby and I wanted to go to nursing school. I didn't want to resent Katarina because having her changed my life.”

“We picked Joe and Denise together. I really wanted a stay-at-home mom and the baby would have an older brother, Christopher, and I liked that. I told them that we already had a name — Katarina Renee. Later, Denise asked if we would add Elizabeth, a name from their family, so it's Katarina Elizabeth Rene. I'm grateful that they kept her name. I love that name.”

“Denise went with me to doctor's appointments,” Joelene shared. “I wanted her in the delivery room with me. They told Christopher that they were probably going to get another baby — he saw me pregnant and felt the baby kick. There are pictures of him holding Kat in the hospital. Denise and Joe always said to me, “If you change your mind, we will be a little upset, but we'll be happy for you.”

“People are very shocked when I tell them I have a very open adoption,” Joelene said.

“Open adoption is so new. I never realized that it was an option until Jeanne Burstein from Spence-Chapin came to our house and went through the process. A lot of people are curious about open adoption, especially the degree we have. Our contract right now is once a month. For the first six months, it's a visit every month and emails and pictures.”

“I definitely have good days and bad days,” eighteen-year-old Joelene reflected. “I had a tough time when she was first born (January 15th). She went right home with Joe and Denise. But when I went to visit Denise and Joe on Valentine's Day, everything turned around completely. I knew I did the right thing.”

“I'm happy that I had the baby and I'm happy with the adoption and with the family I chose,” concluded Joelene. “I am definitely looking forward to the future — I'll be starting nursing school in the fall.”