When Tamara and Jeramy first began the process of adopting their second child, they had no idea their journey would span continents, a pandemic and years of uncertainty. Prior to even beginning the necessary paperwork and approval process, the couple saw a photo of a smiling young boy from China named Jiangli.
In that very moment, they knew without hesitation he was the missing piece to their family.
Jiangli has bilateral limb differences, but they never saw that as an issue. After watching a short video of Jiangli — threading beads onto a string the same as any other four-year-old — they recognized a child with limitless potential.
“Just from that one video, he just seemed so happy and fun,” Jeramy said.
The couple immediately began the process of preparing for adoption, completing a background check, home study and all the necessary paperwork. Their social worker at Children’s Home, Kathryn, helped them through every step.
But the family’s plan for international adoption was abruptly interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Just 10 days before traveling to bring Jiangli home, the world shut down and China closed all adoption activity.
Over the next four years, the family held onto hope but were told there was not much chance China would reopen. After years of preparation and emotional energy, they slowly began to accept what once felt unthinkable: their adoption journey might be over.
Determined to keep growing their family, they pivoted to becoming licensed foster care providers, again with the support of Children’s Home. Tamara and Jeramy completed all new paperwork, attended trainings, met requirements and eventually becoming certified. It was a fresh start and a new way to redirect their hope and energy after so much waiting.
Then came the call they never expected.
Out of the blue, China informed them that Jiangli’s adoption had been approved. They needed to be in China in two weeks.
“Our passports were expired,” said Jeramy. “Liam (their oldest son) didn’t even have one!” What had taken them months to prepare before all had to be completed once again — in record time.
“We thought it was going to be a disaster,” said Tamara, worried that Kathryn wouldn’t be able to be their social worker with this sudden change. But when they spoke with her, Kathryn just said, “Ok, let’s do this.”
Kathryn and the Children’s Home international adoption team rallied around the Tamara and Jeramy. “We were in this brand-new situation that none of us had been in before,” said Tamara. “They (Children’s Home) were so supportive.”
Tamara and Jeramy’s journey to adopting their second son, Jiangli, was marked by resilience and hope that Jiangli was destined to be a part of their family. That perseverance — and the love they poured into every step of the process — did not go unnoticed.
In the fall of 2025, the family received the Angels in Adoption Award, a national recognition honoring individuals and families who make extraordinary contributions to adoption, foster care and child welfare.
For Tamara and Jeramy, the honor was both humbling and unexpected.
“We’re not special people doing something extraordinary,” Jeramy said. “We were bringing our son home. We were looking for our child.”
After bringing Jiangli home, Tamara and Jeramy applied for Children’s Home’s Adoption Support Fund, a grant designed to help families gain access to adoption and post-adoption services. They used the funds to purchase adaptive equipment for Jiangli.
“They mentioned that we were providing him with the adaptive equipment he needs, but to us, that’s just what you do. He’s our child.”
The award highlighted not only their commitment to Jiangli, but also their determination through years of uncertainty. That spirit of partnership, perseverance and love is what the Angels in Adoption Award celebrates.
When Tamara and Jeramy look back on their adoption journey, the biggest surprise wasn’t the paperwork, the waiting or even the unexpected twists along the way. It was how seamlessly their son, Jiangli, became part of their family the moment he arrived. What they expected to be a period of careful acclimation instead felt like a natural continuation of their family’s rhythm.
For Jeramy, the surprise came in watching Jiangli’s confidence unfold.
“Maybe ‘surprise’ isn’t the right word,” he said, “but it’s been exciting seeing him do things we didn’t initially think he could — overcoming his limb difference.” His determination, curiosity and independence quickly became defining parts of their family’s daily life.
When asked what advice they would offer other families considering international adoption — especially those preparing to welcome a child with different needs, Tamara shared: “First, figure out who your healthcare provider will be and get in contact with them early. Start getting support in place based on your child’s needs well before you’re set to leave.” Building those relationships and resources ahead of time, she emphasized, makes a meaningful difference once a child comes home.
Their journey has taught them that adoption can be unpredictable — but also beautifully ordinary, full of moments that feel exactly as they were meant to be.
“Remember to listen to your heart,” Tamara said. “Don’t let fear be part of it. There’s a solution to pretty much every problem if you’re open to finding it.”
Today, the Tamara and Jeramy look back with gratitude for the support they received, for the resilience they found in themselves, and most of all, for the family they became.
“Children’s Home was so dedicated to helping us complete our family,” Tamara said. “They didn’t question it. They just did it. We’ll forever be grateful.”
