Adoption Month Spotlight: The Seago Family’s Journey of Love, Trust & Community

Heather and Brad Seago began their fostering journey with Mesa County Department of Human Services (MCDHS) in 2018, starting with respite care before eventually welcoming three children into their home: 7-year-old twins and a 3-year-old.

The kids, Heather says, are compassionate and emotionally aware, each showing love in their own unique way. Parenting them has given the Seagos “a deeper understanding of the emotions children carry and the love they’re capable of when they feel safe.”

Fostering first came onto their radar when Heather’s sister informed her of a Project 1.27 meeting. Listening to the stories shared there opened their eyes to the tremendous need. “These kids didn’t understand the concept of love,” Heather remembers. “We wanted to show them what that could look like.”

The Seago’s became foster parents, provided respite and short term care when needed, and eventually became the foster home for the kids. Fostering led to adoption when the children could not safely return to a biological parent.

The adoption process, like many, came with uncertainty. Heather recalls the six-month waiting window as one of the hardest parts. “Until that day comes, you just live in the unsureness,” she said. When the adoptions were finalized, however, the flood of emotion was overwhelming in the best way. “It was this huge surge of excitement and relief.”

Throughout their journey from fostering to adoption, the Seagos leaned heavily on the people around them. Heather describes their support system as “amazing,” with friends and family stepping in at all hours to help care for the children. Their caseworker, Carrie Hoffman, also played a meaningful role, offering reassurance and guidance. “God placed all the right people around us,” Heather said.

To families considering adoption, Heather’s message is clear: “You might think you’re blessing the child, but you’ll end up blessing yourself even more.” She describes the experience as life-changing and as an exchange of beauty, love and connection that is difficult to put into words. Her biggest piece of advice is simple: “Do your best and trust God to do the rest.”

Today, adoption is woven completely into their family identity. “Adoption is how we created all this love and joy,” Heather said. “It outweighs every day-to-day struggle. It’s a gift.”

Community programs and county resources helped the Seagos feel supported from the beginning. Project 1.27 offered information and faith-based community, CASA provided reassurance early on and their broader village carried them through the ups and downs.

Looking back, Heather encourages anyone feeling even a small nudge toward adoption to follow it. “Be open-minded. If you have that inkling, trust it. Just believe that you can do it.”

While MCDHS does not certify families solely for adoption, many families like the Seagos begin as foster parents with the possibility of adopting if a child becomes legally free. Families may also be considered for adoption when a specific child is already available. Our focus is always on finding safe, stable and loving homes for children at every stage of their journey.

To learn more about adoption in Mesa County, please visit our webpage.