Moms To Be: Christian and Marlena Miles prepare for the arrival of their new baby. (Photo from Miles’ AdoptTogether profile)
ORLANDO | Christian and Marlena Miles have known they wanted to build a family together since they first met, and they knew they wanted part of the journey to involve adoption.
“I knew since I was 10 years old that I wanted to grow my family with adoption,” Christian Miles says. “[Marlena] is like me too. We say the baby doesn’t need to be born in the family to be a part of the family.”
Christian and Marlena Miles began their journey to adopting a child in November 2022, chronicling the events through the website AdoptTogether, a nonprofit, crowdfunding platform that “bridges the gap between families who want to adopt and the children who need loving homes.”
“It may surprise you to hear that adoption related costs can easily total up to $60,000 (or more!),” the couple wrote on their profile. “So we have set up this campaign to help ease the financial burden that otherwise could easily be overwhelming.”
The couple found an adoption agency that they felt connected to about a month later and began the process of preparing for the home study, along with everything else needed before they could even think about matching with a child, including questionnaires, medical clearances, letters of recommendation, both local and federal background checks and a visit from a social worker.
The process took nearly a full year but the couple announced Nov. 28 that they had some good news.
“We are matched with a birth mom due in February with a little girl,” they wrote in their profile. “We are so excited to be one step closer to starting our family. The next couple of months will be spent anxiously awaiting the arrival of the baby and preparing for a little one to join our family. We got to see an ultrasound photo of the baby which feels surreal!”
As the couple prepares for the baby’s arrival — both emotionally and financially — Christian Miles, who works as a stand-up comic, has been organizing a comedy fundraiser for the adoption. “Two Ladies & A Baby” will bring together several local comedians for a show celebrating the baby announcement and as a way to raise funds to help offset the adoption costs.
“Since I moved here, I have fallen in love with Orlando’s comedy scene,” Christian Miles says. “So I wanted to do the event to give family, friends and everyone a place to go and celebrate the adoption, celebrate comedy; I think it is just so important, especially now, to bring people together and lift spirits.
The event will be held at the Audubon Park Church, located at 3219 Chelsea St. in Orlando, on Jan. 13. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 7:15 p.m. Hosted by Christian Miles and Jason Montilla, the evening will feature comedy by Patrick Sisk, Aimee LeCours, Lee Cohen and Johnni P. It will also include musical guest Francisco Laboy.
“At the end of the day the event is a free comedy show to bring people together and have a good time,” Christian Miles says. “And if anyone is able to help contribute toward the adoption costs, it of course is greatly appreciated.”
“Two Ladies & A Baby Adoption Fundraiser” is a free event with donations welcomed and appreciated. The show does have an adult content warning. For more information on the event, and to follow along with Christian and Marlena Miles’ adoption journey, visit AdoptTogether.org/Families/The-Miles.
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