Orrville couple’s journey from infertility to adoption and foster care becomes a story of hope

Bryan and Julie Ogden of Orrville followed a winding path to both adoption and foster care. Julie is an RN at Wooster Community Hospital, and Bryan works in the home renovation industry. Julie has two adult children from her first marriage.

When Julie and Bryan Ogden got married and tried to start a family, they struggled with infertility. Julie had a series of operations that left her with almost no ovaries, and the two conceiving a child began to seem increasingly unlikely. This struggle prompted them to consider adoption as an option.

Bryan Ogden told Julie, “On paper we should have gotten pregnant many times by now, so maybe God is trying to tell us he wants us to adopt.”

Serendipity took over from there. The couple created a profile book to present to birthmothers and to share on social media. From there, a friend saw the post and remembered a high school classmate who found herself pregnant.

From there, a connection was made, and Julie and Bryan Ogden were chosen by the birthmother. They were fortunate to be able to accompany the birthmother throughout her pregnancy, and Julie and Bryan were blessed to be present for his birth. That baby is their now 8-year-old son Broden.

Julie and Bryan Ogden discussed how to talk to Broden about his adoption plan. Broden has always known he is adopted.

“We let Broden decide when he wants to talk about those parts of his life and welcome his questions and ideas whenever he has them,” Julie Ogden said.

Adopting Broden is part of what inspired Julie and Bryan Ogden to become foster parents, a journey they only recently began.

“Our hearts have always been pulled to foster, but our fears of getting attached and saying goodbye have held us back,” Julie Ogden said.

That reticence was lifted when an opportunity to care for a child the family knew came about. Taking this child into their home, love and a bond have been formed.

“We understand reunification is the goal," Julie Ogden said. "We are saying yes to 'for now' and yes to 'forever' if needed.”

Wayne County Children's Services needs foster parents. In fact, foster parents are desperately needed nationwide. There also are foster children waiting to be adopted in foster care agencies throughout Ohio and the rest of the country.

For those interested in foster care or adoption, information is available at www.waynecsb.org or by calling the agency at 330-345-5340.

Editor's note: November is National Adoption Awareness Month.