Brittany Niequist

Q&A with Brittany

• What do you do at LifeLong?

  As an Adoptive Parent Coordinator I have the pleasure of working with the most lovely people as they navigate their adoption journeys.

• When did you join the LifeLong team?

  I joined the team in February 2023.

• What motivates you to get up and go to work?

  Every morning I am SO excited to get to work because I know that the work I am doing is literally changing lives. Adoption is such a beautiful example of humanity at its best, both the incredibly selfless act of love on the birthmother's side, and the unconditional love and acceptance of the adoptive family.

• What is your favorite inspirational, motivational, or positive-thinking quote?

  "People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child—our own two eyes. All is a miracle." ― Thich Nhat Hanh

• What advice do you have for our waiting families?

  Keeping a positive outlook will go a long way! Since there's no "one size fits all" road to adoption, if you can keep an open mind, stay positive, and stay in the moment, you will be able to look back on your journey with gratitude and have an amazing story to tell someday.

• What are you passionate about?

  If you know me for more than five minutes you will know I am a hugely passionate about historic preservation and landmarking historic homes. I sit on the historic preservation commission for the city I live in, and my family lives in a landmarked Victorian home ourselves.

• What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?

  When my son was born in 2021, he had some complications at birth that lead to a pretty scary major surgery and a long road to recovery. Through that experience I was able to really put into practice remaining in the present moment, keeping a positive outlook, and not jumping to worst case scenarios. I know now that if I can make it through those very intense moments with a clear mind and a thankful heart, I can do the same in all my small, everyday moments.

• What was something that happened to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best?

  When I was in 7th grade, the girls at my lunch table told me I wasn't allowed to sit with them anymore. I took it hard at first because I so badly wanted to fit in with the "cool crowd." Every day after that, I spent my lunch hour in the band room practicing my instrument. With so much time to practice, I got quite good, and it eventually lead to a college scholarship. Thanks, mean girls!

• Where is your favorite place to be?

  The English countryside, just outside of London.

• What are you proudest of?

  I am most proud of the love story I am living out with my husband and the two amazing kids we have been blessed with!

• What books are at your bedside?

  The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer, and Untamed by Glennon Doyle

• What music is on your most-played list?

  I love all kinds of music, but Third Eye Blind, Johnnyswim, and U2 are my alltime favorites.

• What's your favorite TV show to binge-watch?

  Downton Abbey or really any period drama.