A Great (Ad)option

There’s a sparkle in Emily Gaulin’s eyes as she talks about her six-month-old adopted son, Ethan. She loves everything about him — his adorable smile, chubby cheeks and big blue eyes.

“Ethan is one of the best-behaved babies I’ve ever been around,” says Emily, a 24-year-old resident of Eustis. “Being a mom is everything I hoped it would be.”

She wasn’t always sure she would have that opportunity. After marrying her high school sweetheart Michael in 2009, the couple spent two years attempting to conceive a child. Their attempts failed, and a visit to a medical practice revealed that Michael has azoospermia.

“When I learned about Michael’s condition I was upset because that meant I was never going to carry my own child. But I got over it because I love Michael to death.”

The Gaulins considered visiting a fertility clinic but didn’t feel the cost outweighed the risk. They ultimately decided to adopt a baby. Emily was in the delivery room when Ethan was born November 12, 2014.

“It was an extremely beautiful experience, and I instantly fell in love.”

The Gaulins agreed to an open adoption. Emily and Michael visit Ethan’s birth mother every two months and send her pictures.

“I want his real mom to be in his life. That way when we sit down with Ethan and tell him he’s adopted, it won’t be such a hard transition.”

This will be Emily’s first Mother’s Day as an official mother. She has no elaborate plans.

“I’d be perfectly happy sitting at home and being with Michael and Ethan.”