Outdoor adoption proceedings a first for Logan County
On a date that will forever etched in the memories of a local family and their three young children, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, also marks a new occurrence for Logan County — the first adoption ceremony conducted outdoors in front of the Logan County Courthouse.
Nearly nine years after their wedding in October 2011, Jessica and Matthew Neill of Bellefontaine were joined by their friends and family for another special gathering to witness their adoption of the three siblings, ages 4, 5 and 6, whom the couple has cared for through foster care for the past three years.
The parents and their two new sons and daughter bubbled over with excitement and enthusiasm as they walked arm-in-arm from the ceremony together on the mild and sunny August day.
“This is just what we have been waiting for during all these years,” Mrs. Neill said. “This is a very happy day for our family.”
For the outdoor proceedings, Logan County Family Court Judge Kim Kellogg-Martin said the court came up with this idea to honor the couple’s wishes to have about 20 supporters attend. Considering precautions with the COVID-19 pandemic, there wasn’t quite enough space inside the courtroom to accommodate everyone safely, so the outdoor setting seemed fitting.
It was a beautiful occasion for the judge to witness as well.
“The chance for these three siblings to be together forever, it just gives you chills,” Judge Kellogg-Martin said. “We are thrilled for the family and grateful we could play a part in it.”
Back in 2011, Mrs. Neill said the couple’s initial plans were to have children as soon as they could following their wedding day, but they struggled with infertility and those dreams didn’t materialize like they’d originally imagined.
In those earlier years, Mr. Neill had mentioned to his wife that he would be open to serving as foster parents, but Mrs. Neill said she initially was hesitant.
“God definitely laid it on his heart, but it was scary for me,” she said. “I had to pray about it and talk with my sister and Matt’s sister. Once I could wrap my head around the idea, God opened all of these doors for us and we met some wonderful people.”
Former Marysville residents Mr. and Mrs. Neill, who moved to Bellefontaine in July 2015, went through the foster care parent certification process through Adriel. By February 2017, the couple had completed all of their requirements.
That August, the three children who now call them “Mom” and “Dad” came to live with them, at that time ages 1, 2 and 3. Now busy with a trio of youngsters, their whole world took a new and exciting turn, the city residents said Thursday while their bright-eyed children played and enjoyed the company of their extended family and friends from their church, St. John Lutheran Church of Dublin.
Mr. Neill at first worked nights and stayed home with the children during the daytime. Mrs. Neill previously was employed at Mary Rutan Hospital Pediatrics, but the following year, decided she needed to stay home full-time with the children to help meet their needs.
Her former workplace was a great network of support throughout the foster care process, she said.
“My co-workers were wonderful to us, giving us gifts and toys when the kids came to stay with us, and also providing encouragement for us when I decided to stay home,” Mrs. Neill said.
Adriel also helped to keep the adoption process filed through Logan County running as smoothly as possible, “keeping all of the paperwork and everything in order,” Mrs. Neill said. The children continue to receive therapeutic supports through Adriel as well.
Now that the adoption process is complete, the family looks forward to settling into a routine together and “taking the time to bond during next year,” Mrs. Neill said.
“There are certain things you do a little differently when you have foster kids verses kids of your own, certain boundaries that are needed, so we are looking forward to relaxing those boundaries and being our own family.”
Following their rewarding experiences, the Neills encouraged other area residents to show support for the local foster care system, whether through becoming foster parents themselves or considering being a respite care provider to provide foster families with a short reprieve.
“So many kids and foster parents just need to experience a little love. It doesn’t take much, but it means a lot,” Mrs. Neill said.
The Neill family also were the recipients of the Jockey Being Family Backpack Program, which gifted each of the children with personalized backpacks, a teddy bear and blanket, along with a tote for the family filled with post-adoption resources, Logan County Family Court officials said. The program has provided backpacks to 43,000 adoptive families throughout the U.S., according to jockeybeingfamily.com.