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An NBC procedural drama is the latest series to put a spotlight on adoption. Captivating audiences since 2012, “Chicago Fire” follows the lives of first responders at Firehouse 51. Now in its 13th season, the show has been following Stella and Kelly on their journey to adopt a child. This “Chicago Fire” adoption story is not the only one of its kind in the series.
Stella and Kelly
The latest season of “Chicago Fire” followed Lieutenants Stella Kidd and Kelly Severide on their adoption journey. The wait is challenging for the couple – as it is for adoptive parents in real life. Kelly reminds Stella that it may take months – or even years – until they have their baby, so there is no point in getting a crib right away. They are trying to distract themselves from the excruciating wait, until they realize the wait may not be as long as they initially expected – and the crib may not be needed, anyway.
In Episode 17, a young teen named Natalie enters the firehouse searching for Stella. She shares that she goes to the Horizons Community Center. Later in the episode, Stella realizes that she first met Natalie when the girl was just four years old. It was in response to a house fire at Natalie’s home. This reunion makes Stella realize that she wants to support kids like Natalie. Stella has a personal connection to this girl, and not just because of the house fire years before.
When Stella was an older child, her aunt became her foster parent and raised her. There are many teens in need of adoptive families. There is speculation of Stella and Kelly pursuing foster care adoption instead of adopting an infant.
The wait for adoption can be tough on adoptive parents. The journey to parenthood is never an instant one. Birth parents must wait until they conceive, which can take several months or years, and then wait another 9 months until the baby’s birth. For adoption, the wait can feel endless. It can, however, be made easier with the support of a reputable, trustworthy adoption agency. At Adoptions With Love, infants are typically placed with their adoptive family 6-18 months after the Home Study is complete.
Sylvie Brett
Another important “Chicago Fire” adoption storyline features Sylvie Brett. The paramedic has a personal connection with adoption, since she was placed for adoption as a baby by her 16-year-old birth mother. In Season 11 of “Chicago Fire,” Sylvie adopts a baby, Julie, who was placed in a safe-haven baby box. This storyline concludes with Sylvie marrying Matthew Casey and the family of three moving to Oregon.
Adoption is a highly personal decision. For birth parents, there are several reasons that make adoption a positive choice. The same rings true for adoptive parents. Whether an adoptive parent was adopted as a child, experienced infertility, faced another physical barrier, or just always loved the idea of adoption, there is a powerful story of love behind every adoption. For Sylvie and Matt, adoption was a powerful, personal choice because of Sylvie’s adoption as a baby. This storyline serves as a powerful reminder of the many personal reasons that parents choose to grow their family through adoption.
Javi Cruz
Fans of “Chicago Fire” may also recall the adoption storyline of Javier “Javi” Cruz. The young boy was adopted by Joe and Chloe Cruz after a dramatic housefire rescue in season 10 of the series. Joe was able to communicate with Javi in Spanish, forming a strong bond with the child. This bond led to Javi finding Joe at Firehouse 51 after fleeing the hospital. It is later discovered that Javi is an orphan from Honduras. He had been living in the care of a missionary worker who was trying to care for him and two other boys. The woman is no longer able to care for all the children, and they will have to be split up. In the end, Javi officially becomes a part of the Cruz family when Joe and Chloe decide to adopt the boy.
Matt and Gabby
Earlier in the series, Matthew Casey was in a romantic relationship with Gabby Dawson. She had experienced an unsuccessful pregnancy before becoming a foster parent. In season 5, the couple gets married so they can adopt their foster son, Louie, together. Matthew and Gabby are excited to become parents, until Louie’s birth father shows up. He is determined to get his son back. Once Matthew and Gabby understand there is a big, loving family waiting for Louie, they decide the right thing to do is to return him to his birth family.
In season 6, Gabby tells Matthew she wants to try conceiving a child again. The two end up separating at the end of the season, when it is revealed that Gabby has an aneurysm from her unsuccessful pregnancy, and the condition could be fatal. She insists on trying to conceive, anyway, and Matthew refuses.
While this plot is dramatic, it is not very different from what couples face every day. The heartache and health complications of infertility are all too common in the real world. Many couples struggle with infertility and it can put a serious strain on relationships.
There is also a common concern with fostering a child that the birth family may earn custody of the child being fostered. This can – and does – happen to people who choose to adopt via foster care. While fostering a child can be a wonderful way to grow a family in a very inexpensive way, there is the risk of forming a bond with a child before the adoption is finalized. Many adoptive families experience this devastating situation. It is another reason that so many adoptive parents choose to adopt with a private adoption agency.
With a private adoption, birth parents choose – at their own will – to lovingly place their child for adoption. This decision should never be rushed. At Adoptions With Love, birth parents are encouraged to take all the time they need before consenting to adoption. Once this decision is made and the consent forms are signed, the decision is rarely revocable. Few states offer a revocation period, and once that has passed, a birth parent cannot reclaim parental rights of the child. This gives many adoptive families peace of mind.
Learn About Adoption in Real Life
The “Chicago Fire” adoption storylines are captivating and may inspire you to start the journey toward adoption. Whether you are facing an unplanned pregnancy or want to adopt a child, we can help. Learn more about the adoption process – obligation-free – by contacting Adoptions With Love today. Call 800-722-7731, text (confidentially) 617-777-0072, or contact us online. We can support you every step of the way and help you adopt a child or lovingly make an adoption plan for your baby.