Before you choose your baby’s parents, you can speak with several hopeful adoptive parents. Sometimes, it’s nice to just get a bit more info to understand who they are and what they’re about.
I recently had the chance to chat with hopeful adoptive parents Nick and Ashley from Iowa. I asked them some fun questions that you won’t find in their adoption profile, and learned that they are excited to become first-time parents to a child of any race or gender! As they put it, “We have been together since 2014 and, though we have infertility issues, adoption has always been the way we have wanted to grow our family. We are excited to raise your child with Midwestern roots and surround them with family, friends and unconditional love because that is how we were raised.”
1. What is your favorite sport to watch? Which team do you love?
Nick: My favorite team is the Iowa Hawkeyes. Growing up, my dad and I would watch Iowa football every Saturday in the fall and then basketball during the winter. I went to my first Iowa game with him when I was in 7th grade.
Lately, I will go over to watch as many football and basketball games as I can with Ashley, my parents, or any of my friends. It’s always a good day when I get to spend time with family and friends while watching Iowa Athletics.
2. What is an important life lesson you’ve learned?
Ashley: Be proud of where you come from. My dad would always say this to my siblings and me growing up.
We were always raised to have dignity in the family name. Whenever I would have to make an important choice that I knew would affect not only me but my family, I would ask myself, “Would my parents approve and be proud of me?”
3. You’re stranded on a desert island and can only take 5 movies. What are they?
Nick: Avengers Infinity War, Avengers Endgame, The Natural, Major League, and Shawshank Redemption.
If possible, I would choose just about any Marvel movie, but Infinity War and Endgame are my favorite Marvel movies. The Natural and Major League because I need a couple of sports movies in there. The Natural is more dramatic, while Major League is a comedy. And then end with Shawshank Redemption; I remember watching that movie when I was younger and watching it any time I saw it on TV after my first time.
4. What are 3 words your friends would use to describe each of you?
Nick: Laid back, outgoing, and dependable.
I believe my friends would think I am easygoing and a “go-with-the-flow kind” of person but willing to go on trips/events with them if something pops up. And they can trust me to come through if something needs to be done.
Ashley: Caring, responsible, and detail-oriented.
I believe my friends would think I care deeply for them and would be willing to drop anything to help them. I think they would also believe I’m responsible; I try to keep plans in order when out with friends and always be on time. This goes hand in hand with being detail-oriented. I am not a last-minute planner and love to have things scheduled and be prepared.
5. What is something from your childhood that you want to make sure your child gets to experience?
Ashley: Going on family vacations once a year. It is important we do that for our future children because it is a great time to unplug and unwind with just our family.
Life gets crazy and hectic, and when I was younger, my parents made it a point to leave town and just have fun. We could be a family away from our busy schedules. Having those memories is one of my life’s treasures and will always be a sacred memory to me.
Curious to know more about Nick and Ashley? You can view their adoptive family profile online.
If you’re interested in talking to them as potential adoptive parents to your baby, just text or call Lifetime at
1-800-923-6784 and we can connect you with them.
As the Vice President (VP) of Lifetime Adoption, Heather Featherston holds an MBA and is passionate about working with those facing adoption, pregnancy, and parenting issues. Heather has conducted training for birth parent advocates, spoken to professional groups, and has appeared on television and radio to discuss the multiple aspects of adoption. She has provided one-on-one support to women and hopeful adoptive parents working through adoption decisions.
Since 2002, she has been helping pregnant women and others in crisis to learn more about adoption. Heather also trains and speaks nationwide to pregnancy clinics to effectively meet the needs of women who want to explore adoption for their child. Today, she continues to address the concerns women have about adoption and supports the needs of women who choose adoption for their child.
As a published author of the book Called to Adoption, Featherston loves to see God’s hand at work every day as she helps children and families come together through adoption.