A Journey to Parenthood: Sadie and Jarvis Sampson’s Heartwarming Adoption Story

Sadie and Jarvis Sampson spent years dreaming of becoming parents. From the moment they married in January 2018, the Houston couple envisioned a future filled with laughter, love, and children. But as the months passed, that dream seemed increasingly out of reach. Despite their best efforts, conceiving a child naturally wasn’t happening.

Sadie recounted their struggles to Love What Matters, explaining how they tried everything possible. “Ovulation tests, prenatal vitamins, cycle tracking apps, fertility monitors—you name it, we tried it,” she said. The couple even sought advice from friends, family, and strangers, but nothing worked. Month after month, their hopes were dashed by yet another negative pregnancy test.

After 14 long months of trying and praying, the couple finally decided to explore medical options. “We talked to doctors and started to prepare ourselves mentally for the possibility of needing assistance to conceive,” Sadie shared. Just when they thought their path forward was clear, life threw them an unexpected curveball—a text message that would forever change their lives.

A Life-Changing Offer

One day, shortly after the Sampsons decided to pause their exhausting attempts at conception, Sadie received a message from a close friend. The friend asked if the couple might consider fostering a baby. The child’s birth parents, who were acquaintances of Sadie’s friend, were in a tough spot and seeking someone to care for their baby.

Initially, the couple was hesitant. They were cautioned by a caseworker that the baby’s mother might only want temporary care while she underwent therapy. “We were afraid of getting too attached to a baby that might not stay with us,” Sadie admitted. But soon, the situation took a surprising turn.

The caseworker called back with an update: “The birth mom has decided she wants you to adopt her baby.”

Sadie vividly remembers the moment she heard the news. “I literally yelled, ‘Holy crap!’” she said. “We went from imagining fostering to realizing we were about to become parents. I called Jarvis and told him, ‘Baby! They want us to adopt this child!’” Jarvis was stunned. “Wait, what? I thought they just wanted us to foster him,” he replied. “Nope, they want us to be his parents!”

Preparing for Parenthood

The weekend was a whirlwind of emotions for the couple as they processed the news. They were thrilled but also cautious, unsure if the birth mother might change her mind. By Monday, their fears were put to rest. The birth mother confirmed her decision to proceed with the adoption and expressed her desire to sign the paperwork independently.

At just 33 weeks, their baby boy arrived prematurely, weighing only 4 pounds and 5 ounces. “He was so tiny, he literally fit in one of my husband’s hands,” Sadie recalled. Wrapped in a white blanket with pink and blue stripes, the baby had to be fed through an NG tube due to his early arrival. “But oh my goodness, he was absolutely perfect,” Sadie said with a smile.

Support From the Community

After announcing the news on social media, the Sampsons received an outpouring of love and support. Friends and family encouraged them to create a baby registry, and within three days, 55 of the 72 items on their list were purchased.

In October 2020, the adoption of their son, Ezra Lee, was finalized. To commemorate the occasion, the family posed for heartwarming portraits wearing matching t-shirts that read, “Families don’t have to match.”

Expanding Their Family

But Ezra’s arrival was only the beginning of their parenting journey. In 2021, Sadie and Jarvis welcomed twin daughters, Destinee and Journeyee, through embryo donation. The couple’s family motto, “Families don’t have to match,” took on even greater significance. As a Black couple raising three white children—a son and two daughters—they embraced their unique family dynamic with open hearts and unwavering love.

“People often ask us how we manage, but to us, it’s simple,” Sadie said. “Love makes a family, not biology.”

A Story of Love and Resilience

The Sampsons’ journey to parenthood is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of love. Despite years of heartache and challenges, their family was formed in the most unexpected and beautiful way. Today, their story inspires others to embrace unconventional paths to building a family and reminds us all that love transcends appearances.

In Sadie’s words, “Our family may not look traditional, but it is built on a foundation of unconditional love—and that’s all that matters.”