Anne and Anthony

Anne and Anthony had always imagined being parents, and the couple made their first adoption enquiry in 2016. One year later, they welcomed Summer into their family when she was 22 months old.

Before being adopted, Summer had experienced three different homes. Knowing that she had already faced significant upheaval, they wanted to make their introduction feel as safe and familiar as possible. They expected that their first meeting with Summer might take time. Instead, the connection was immediate. Within minutes, Summer climbed onto Anthony’s lap, handed him a book and called him “Dada”. Anthony remembers the moment as “breathtaking” and says it is something he will cherish forever.

The early months still required patience and reassurance as Summer adjusted to her permanent family. She needed time to understand that she was finally home. Today, adoption is spoken about and celebrated openly. Summer is proud to be adopted and has even taken her life story book into school for show-and-tell.

Now aged 11, Summer is a confident, articulate and creative young person who loves drama, arts and crafts, and is preparing to begin secondary school. Anne and Anthony treasure watching her perform, cheering her on from the audience at school productions. They also value quieter family moments, from Sunday morning cuddles with tea and biscuits to walks with their dog, Mr Chips. 

“We didn’t have the perfect set-up, and we certainly didn’t have all the answers, but adoption gave us our daughter and made us complete. We’ve celebrated many milestones and watched Summer grow into a confident, creative young person. Every part of the journey has been worth it.“