The Hartwigs celebrate the adoption of their son Matthew Photo credit: Kimberly Smith
After almost a year of living under the roof of Ryan Hartwig and his wife Jill, 11-month-old Matthew Nicholas legally became a member of the Hartwig family Tuesday, March 25 at Edmund Edelman Children’s Court. Roughly 30 family friends of all ages were there to witness the event.
Communication studies professor Ryan and freshman readiness coordinator and instructor Jill Hartwig agreed early in their marriage that they would adopt a child and live overseas at some point.
“So far we’re one for two,” Ryan Hartwig said.
When they moved to California almost three years ago, they knew it was time to begin the adoption process.
On May 8, 2013, two days after the birth of the boy, the couple received a phone call to see if they were interested in fostering a newborn. The next morning, a social worker arrived at the Hartwig residence with the child, who has been in the home ever since.
To really welcome the newest member of the family, the Hartwigs thought it would be best to rename the boy from “Nicholas” to “Matthew,” which means “gift from God.”
“We wanted to give him our name,” Ryan Hartwig said. “As [his] parents, as the ones who God has entrusted to care for [him], we want to name [him] and we want to be thoughtful about that.”
The adoption process began quickly but was not finalized until two weeks ago. Since the finalization, nothing seems to have changed except for the happiness that is bursting out of all members of the family, especially Matthew.
“Seriously, from Tuesday on, he’s just even happier than he always was, and I wonder if he knows,” Ryan Hartwig said.
He speculated that Matthew perhaps senses the relief of stress inside the household.
“We hit the lottery. We hit the jackpot with this kid. We are so blessed, and that is what this feels like to our family,” he said.