Episode 15: Signs from the Saints
A Story Begins
One of the foundations of any great story is its beginning. When Nicky met Andre in 2007, she was still healing from the traumatic loss of her previous boyfriend in a motorcycle accident. Despite their immediate connection, Nicky knew she wasn't ready for a new relationship, and they remained friends for several years. During these years, Nicky's faith played a crucial role in her healing process, bringing her peace and comfort.
By the time 2014 rolled around, Nicky found herself ready to embrace a future with Andre. Their relationship blossomed from friendship to love, leading them down a path marked by challenges and blessings alike.
The Path to Parenthood
With their marriage in full swing, Nicky and Andre faced the reality of infertility. Despite numerous fertility treatments, the hope for a biological child eluded them. However, adoption had always been a part of the conversation, and fostering hope alongside fertility treatments was a natural step for them.
Following two years of fertility attempts, the couple felt a calling to pursue adoption more seriously. Their research led them to adoption seminars and discussions with friends and acquaintances who had gone through similar experiences.
An Open Heart to Adoption
Nicky's adoption journey wasn't solitary. Andre was a steadfast partner, and their faith community provided a nurturing environment. Through small group activities, teaching, and mentoring alongside their spiritual guides, the couple found both healing and purpose. The adoption seminar by Catholic Charities in 2018 marked a pivotal moment, shifting their perspective to an open adoption.
God’s Timing and Divine Interventions
Guidance from faith and a web of connections steered Nicky and Andre towards adoption readiness. While waiting for the right moment, they traveled, served their community, and learned to trust in the timing of divine interventions. The quiet periods in adoption proved crucial for faith-testing and character-building.
As they anticipated the day their adoption journey would take a definitive turn, they kept their faith alive through prayer and reflection on the holy figures they venerated: Our Lady of La Leche, Our Lady of Fatima, and Saint Therese of Lisieux, known for sending signs of roses at the end of novenas.
Connecting the Dots
In a series of seemingly coincidental events, Nicky and Andre received confirmation after confirmation that their choice to adopt was the right one. A spontaneous trip to St. Augustine's national shrine of Our Lady of La Leche guided them forward, cementing the idea that adoption was the path chosen for them by divine intervention.
In the spring of 2023, Juliet, their social worker, was instrumental in making things happen rapidly. By May, the family received the call: they had been chosen by birth parents. Coinciding with the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, the daughter Nicky received was named Shiloh Rose.
A New Chapter with Shiloh
Shiloh's arrival was met with joy and unshakeable confidence. Both the Landrys and the birth family approached the transition with dignity and respect, evidenced during their meetings and planning sessions. The open relationship with Shiloh's birth family was set to evolve as natural as the tides.
During their time in the hospital, Nicky and Andre experienced caring hospitality, receiving the ultimate reward of their patience and steadfast faith.
Conclusion
Nicky’s story is a narrative of hope, love, and faith, weaving through the ebbs and flows of life's challenges and divine affirmations. It is a beautiful reminder that the darkest clouds can yield the brightest rainbows. Through her unwavering commitment and Andre's support, Nicky embraced her calling as a mother. The Landry family's story illuminates how life and love can flourish in the most unexpected and divinely orchestrated ways.
