The Christmas tree in Olivia’s bedroom is adorned with ornaments. Each year since her birth, a new ornament was added. The ornament this year was not received by mail like all the previous years. This year’s ornament was hand delivered to Olivia by her birth mom Noelle.
Noelle was a sixteen-year-old junior in high school when she learned she was pregnant. She was afraid and kept it a secret until she could not hide it anymore. Confiding in her parents was the first step that led to contacting Christian Adoption Services (CAS). CAS staff comforted Noelle’s family, offering care and understanding. After choosing adoption, Noelle made an adoption plan for her unborn child and chose Robin and Sam Bowling to be her baby’s parents. They all agreed to a semi-open adoption, choosing to maintain some privacy. In this arrangement, updates, letters and special gifts can be shared but are mediated through CAS.
Noelle’s baby was born on November 26, 2003 and named Olivia. From day one, Robin was intent to make Olivia’s adoption story and Noelle a part of her little girl’s life.
“I know it may sound funny, but I always knew I was adopted,” Olivia says. “Mom even had a picture of Noelle in my nursery as a baby.”
Robin and Noelle agreed early in Olivia’s life that meeting her birth mom in person would be Olivia’s decision. In the meantime, Noelle was kept up on many of the things happening in Olivia’s life. Noelle began sending gifts and cards for major events in Olivia’s life—school and athletic achievements, birthdays, and Christmases. She sent Olivia’s first Christmas tree ornament weeks after her birth.
“I always hoped, and it was always a prayer, that I could meet Olivia in person,” Noelle confesses. “But I always wanted what was best for Olivia, and if we never met, it would be okay. Reunite or not, adoption was the best decision for both of us.”
Olivia is now a junior at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. She lives only minutes away from campus and is studying animal science in hopes of becoming a doctor of veterinarian medicine.
Almost a year ago, she began thinking about meeting Noelle. She and Robin discussed the possibility and Olivia decided to wait until summer: “I believe it was God impressing me to move forward and meet Noelle. I knew I was ready.”
Tears began to run down Noelle’s cheeks before Olivia stepped out of her dad’s truck. She had traveled to Noelle’s home in Clemmons with her mom and dad and youngest brother Thomas. It was August 11. In a few months, she would turn 21.
“I never thought ‘would I like her or love her?’ Olivia says. “Of course, I love her. She has loved me since I was born and now we love each other in person. It all worked out the way it was supposed to. It was God’s perfect timing.”
Olivia says she was more nervous than she thought she would be. But the two embraced and the words began to flow, mixed with more tears and laughter. The duo have visited together more than ten times since that first reunion. Olivia has spent time with her new brother, Noelle’s son Nick. Both are thrilled to celebrate November birthdays—but ten years apart. Noelle’s family, husband Ryan, her son Nick, and her parents Linda and George, gathered with all of Olivia’s family at Robin and Sam’s home in Rocky Mount the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
“It is all more than I imagined,” Olivia says. “Mom and Dad always told me adoption was God’s plan for my life. Noelle and her family are an added bonus. It has always been in God’s hands.”
It’s only a matter of time when Olivia and Robin will be scheduling a lunch date with Noelle. There is still so much to catch up on.
Watch Noelle's video that was filmed in 2022—two years before the birth mother first met her biological daughter as shared in today's article.
Written by Jim Edminson, Editor of Charity & Children
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