Local couple shares their adoption journey

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Jeremy Dassow and Manuel Rodriguez started their adoption journey in 2017.

"We both always wanted to be dads," said Dassow.

The couple started with Angel Adoption, a private agency, and was then matched up with Lutheran Child and Family Service. Their profile was posted and the process went live.

"The first 8 months were very hard because nothing happened," shared Dassow.

They checked their emails daily waiting for the call and they were matched a couple of times, but the adoptions fell through.

"I think that through the process of adoption, we learned that the best way to approach adoption is just by letting the process play out the way it is meant to be," said Rodriguez.

Manuel Rodriguez and Jeremy Dassow adoption story — Manuel Rodriguez and Jeremy Dassow with sons Liam and Kendrick.
Caryn Eisert

The contract for adoption through Angel Adoption was 2 years for the couple. Right before the contract was set to expire, they got a call about a baby boy in Indiana.

"He came 3 weeks early," Dassow laughed.

The couple did a quick Target run to get their final items and they hurried to Indiana to meet their new son.

"It changes the way you see the world, your priorities just totally change," Manuel recalled the feeling of finally becoming a dad.

However, the couple knew they still had more love to give and wanted Liam to have a sibling. So, in Summer 2022 they started their adoption journey again and waited for their newest addition.

This past spring, the couple got a phone call from their LCFS adoption specialist Lori Lynch about a baby boy in Carbondale. After conversations with one another and with their colleagues, Dassow and Rodriguez decided to adopt Kendrick.

"It's a journey. It can be hard and stressful, but that's what I'm here for. I've never had a family go through the process, receive placement, and say 'I shouldn't have done that'", said Lynch.

Dassow and Rodriguez said they received support from LCFS, their families as well as people in the community. They've also been able to build connections with people who have adopted children and people who were adopted.

"You never realize how much love you can have for someone until you have kids. I feel like my life is completed," said Dassow.

To learn more about adoption, click here.