The Tedious Adoption Process Is Absolutely Worth It, and This Video Is Proof

Deciding to adopt might just be the easiest part of the entire process, as bringing a new member into your family comes with many obstacles. Jennifer Murrow Grover and her husband, James, who know the difficulties of adoption all too well, were finally able to unite with their two sons at the airport, three years later. In the touching video above, the four embrace with tears as if they've always known each other.

International adoption was completely foreign to the couple prior to adopting their first child 15 years ago. After already having three young children of her own, Jennifer began to experience a sense of yearning for a baby girl. "I just started feeling very much that there was a little girl that was supposed to be in our family that was not going to come through us biologically and we needed to go find her," said Jennifer in a West Sands Adoptions video. Jennifer and James have also had to deal with the tragedy of five miscarriages over the years.

Growing up in the military, Jennifer was exposed to various parts and cultures of the world, and she wanted to bring that diversity into her own family. Three adopted children later, Jennifer felt that yearning once again — this time, for two sons.

Without hesitation, she knew 7-year-old Bronson and 14-year-old Joseph were perfect. "When I saw Bronson's picture, I knew instantly that he was ours." Then a day or two later, Jennifer saw more agency photos that included Joseph, and the rest was history. Although the boys have legally been their children for about two-and-a-half years, bringing them from the Democratic Republic of the Congo was not an easy feat like their previous adoptions. While waiting for the US to approve their visas, the DRC placed a suspension on adopted children, forcing Bronson and Joseph to wait to come home.

"One thing that is very common with adoption in general, but specifically an international adoption, is you need to expect the unexpected. We have not had an adoption yet where there has not been something unexpected take place."

While it was easy to get discouraged by the tedious process, Jennifer and James have remained persistent, and there's no stronger proof than the video above that every obstacle along the way was worth it. Seeing Bronson run into Jennifer's arms alone is enough for us to start tearing. Watch the heartwarming clip of the family yourself.

This post was originally published on March 14, 2016.