Everett’s Family

Hi! We are Andrew and Rebekah.

We would not be writing this testimony today if it weren't for the support, prayers, and community of people like you who have helped make the desires of our hearts possible.

Andrew and I have been married for almost four years, but we've known each other much longer. We were both blessed to grow up in close-knit families and are surrounded by an incredible church, workplace, and community of friends who have faithfully prayed for us throughout our adoption journey.

My passion for adoption and Down syndrome began long before Andrew and I were married. I grew up alongside my cousin, Addy, who is much more like a sister to me. Addy has Down syndrome, along with several other diagnoses and medical complexities. Growing up with her gave me a completely different perspective on love, inclusion, joy, and advocacy. Today, Addy is 16 years old, and I tell her all the time that she is basically my "why." She helped shape the person I am today and planted seeds in my heart that only God knew would one day grow into our family's story.

I am a special education teacher, and Andrew is a band director. He was also raised in an inclusive family and shares the same heart for individuals with disabilities. Together, we've been involved in our local Down syndrome community for several years. Outside of teaching, I work as a caregiver for individuals with disabilities, and Andrew even started an inclusive band class at his school so that every student has the opportunity to participate and belong.

As we began talking about growing our family, we felt God placing something very specific on both of our hearts. Before having biological children, we wanted to pursue adopting a baby with Down syndrome.

We wanted to be able to pour everything we had into our future child during those early years. We knew there would likely be therapies, specialist appointments, early intervention services, and extra support needed, and we wanted to be fully present for every milestone without dividing our attention. We believed this was the path God had uniquely prepared us for.

So we began preparing.

We researched adoption, connected with other adoptive families, completed our home study, interviews, paperwork, and learned firsthand what many call "the work of waiting."

In April of 2025, we officially joined the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network and began receiving profiles of babies who could potentially become part of our family. It was an emotional summer filled with hope, prayer, and anticipation. Every profile reminded us that somewhere, God already knew our child, we just didn't know who he was yet. We prayed over every baby whose profile we received. We asked God that if a child was meant to be part of our family, He would make a way and open every door. And if that baby was meant to be raised by another family, we prayed they would be matched with the parents God had lovingly chosen for them. We trusted that every child deserved the family they were created for, and that God's plan for each one would unfold in His perfect timing.

When August arrived, Andrew and I both returned to school. During the very first week back, we were suddenly contacted about three different babies at once, something that wasn't very common. We prayed for wisdom, clarity, and peace.

Then came Everett.

Everett was already two weeks old and had spent every day of his life in the NICU. We had to respond to his profile almost immediately. If we were chosen, we would need to drop everything, complete additional paperwork, pack our bags, and travel across the country with very little notice.

As we read through his medical history, we felt the weight of the decision before us. We wondered how we would navigate some of his medical complexities and how we could possibly leave at the very beginning of the school year. We also knew that because Everett was on oxygen, flying there and back would not be an option.

There were so many unknowns, but with each question came another reminder of God's faithfulness. Every uncertainty was met with provision; every obstacle had a solution, and every step forward made it clear that He was already preparing the way before us.

On Thursday, we received the phone call that changed our lives forever.

His biological parents had chosen us.

The timing could only have been orchestrated by God. A month earlier, we had planned a small fundraiser that just happened to fall on that Saturday. The generosity of our friends, family, church, and community helped provide the funds we needed to travel.

The very next day, we packed our van and began a 22-hour drive to Colorado. We stopped only once—for about three hours of sleep at a truck stop, before continuing the journey to meet the little boy we had prayed for over so many years.

Nothing compares to finally seeing Everett for the first time. We were able to meet our precious baby on that Monday.

We spent the next week and a half by his side in the NICU before remaining in Colorado for a total of three weeks while we waited to receive ICPC clearance to return home. We stayed in 2 hotels, the NICU, a hospital owned house, and 2 Airbnbs before coming home with our little one.

During that time, Everett's NICU nurses, doctors, and therapists loved him so faithfully. Before we ever arrived, they cared for him and they welcomed us into his life with open arms. Many of them have become lifelong friends, and whenever we're back in Colorado, we make every effort to visit them since they were such an important part of Everett's life.

Finally, we were able to drive home as a family of three.

Andrew and I both took paternity and maternity leave, allowing us precious time to bond with our sweet boy and begin settling into life as parents.

Everett has been the greatest blessing our family could have ever imagined.

We prayed for him long before we knew his name, and now we cannot imagine life without him. His life has already touched countless people, both here in Tennessee and back in Colorado. Every person who has walked alongside him - from his biological family, to his NICU team, to therapists, friends, and our own family - has witnessed how beautifully and intentionally God orchestrated every detail of his story.

Today, our promise to Everett remains the same as it was before we ever met him.

We will always be his greatest advocates.

We will fight for opportunities that help him reach his fullest potential. We will celebrate every milestone, encourage every dream, and remind him every single day just how deeply he is loved.

Every single day, we thank the Lord for answering prayers we prayed for years and for giving us the incredible privilege of being Everett's mom and dad.

Our story is ultimately not about adoption.

It is about God's faithfulness.

He knew our son long before we did, and in His perfect timing, He brought us together.

For that, we will be forever grateful.