Meet Our Son! \\ Domestic Adoption Journey

As a Birth Mom, I appreciate you being sensitive to the loss we feel when we choose to give our babies a better life. My son is now 26 years old, and I still vividly remember the softness of his cheek and the creases in his tiny fingers. He is remembered and celebrated with every birthday and other holidays - I hope and wish he is living his best life! Congratulations on Baby Benjamin!

I've been an atheist my whole adult life but the way you talk about your faith and how it affects your lives and your decisions is so beautiful.

When Kennedy started to cry when she saw him, I just lost it . Such a sweet moment

Trauma literally affects the DNA and I’m so glad you understand the importance of reducing any trauma for baby boy and put your heart at risk to do so.

I’ve been weepy through all of this, but I really lost it when you said “having her pick his middle name is the same as a family name, she’s a part of our family, he’s a part of our family” 😭😭😭😭 I so highly respect your consciousness of the loss that adoption comes from and how you honor birth families. Congratulations, Angela and all 10 Braniffs. Peace be with you and Benjamin’s first mom.

I loved the kids reaction to meeting him. I cried right along with them ❤ what a beautiful blessing to the family!!

Kennedy’s reaction was so, so sweet. She’s a special little lady and if she chooses to be a mama in the future, she’s going to be fantastic.

From a birthmom of the 1980's, THANK YOU for "getting it." And by "it" I mean the realities adoption...not just the happy perspective of the adoptive family. It's very refreshing and validating to hear an adoptive mom speak of the loss and trauma of the baby (first and foremost), as well as the "first" family. For so long, birthmoms have felt like the lost and forgotten part of the triad. You give me hope that things are changing...for everyone's truth and benefit. Again, Thank You!! :) Oh, and of course...Congratulations!! (I am a mom of 7...one fabulous birth-daughter and 6 regular ones!)

"He loves to eat, he just loves to eat." Same, baby Ben. Same. 🙋‍♀️😂💙

I'd like to applaud you for your courage and unconditional love for Benjamin. You put his needs above your needs. Maybe god wanted to show you are above your fears and have the inner power to beat them x

Noah and Jonah must be so happy with their little brother we know how much Noah wanted a boy!! He is just perfect❤️

This week I felt apart of your family. I’ve shed tears and laughs with y’all. ❤️

I was placed for adoption at birth. I spent 8 weeks with a foster family and my birth mum would spend time with me. At 8 weeks my wonderful Mum and Dad took me home forever but even at 8 weeks I’ve struggled with insecurities in life. Rejection from anyone or anything is and has been my toughest challenge. Placing a child ASAP is definitely better for the child. Well done for giving that little man a forever family ❤️x

Congratulations, he’s perfect! Adoption is such a beautiful thing! I was adopted at two days old and it was the best thing that ever could have happened for my life! I’ve never met my birth momma but I am so thankful for that difficult decision that she made!

Yes, people do seem to forget the other side of adoption, the birth family. They make a difficult but glorious decision to allow the child to have the best life with another family. This "first momma" gave her son a wondeful gift, the opportunity to grow up in a loving family. Congratulations, Benji.

Benji is honestly one of the cutest babies i’ve ever seen. His hair is like a little reborn doll, just perfect.

Thank you so much for bringing light to the truth about trauma and infancy, specifically with adopted children. I was adopted at 14 months, went from biological to orphanage and to a bunch of different people. People always tell me my trauma isn’t real because I was adopted as a baby, and thus they say I don’t remember anything. But that first week, yet alone year of life, is so crucial for learning. Just because I couldn’t talk to communicate my feelings and knowledge, didn’t mean I was not learning or affected. So many people tell me I should be blessed to be adopted so young and that I turned out “normal” and it just really saddens me at the lack of awareness about adoption, lasting trauma, and this strive for “normalcy” whatever that is. I’m thankful for those the few who did listen and understand that my trauma was real, baby or not. But I just appreciate that you’re so honest and don’t try to hide anything, thank you times a million!!!

I cried so hard seeing Kennedy’s reaction to you walking in with her little brother. I have a feeling Kennedy will adopt and have a large family. She seems to be so much of you! She’s the sweetest. The entire video gave me chills. Congrats to your family. I really hope the birth mom saw these videos and sees how great of a choice she made for that sweet angel.

I was adopted at 6 months but still have a lot of issues from the trauma thank you for bringing this up💕 your baby boy is beautiful 😭😍

I've commented on instagram but I'll say it here too. I just wanted to say congrats and and that when I watched the video the kids meeting him I cried my eyes out it was so beautiful and I love that in photos he sticks his little tongue out so cute and I love that you let his birth mum pick his middle name 💕