It's All about a Baby

Posted January 12, 2010

SOME SAY it takes a village to raise a child. And sometimes it takes a bank just to help bring one home.

Susan Sanderson* and her husband had been longing for a second child and trying to adopt for many years. After several attempts to adopt failed, the couple had all but given up.

“It was just a heartbreaking experience,” says Susan.

Then an unexpected call came. A birth mother in Colorado was due to go into labor in a few weeks, and the previously assigned family had just fallen through. Would the Sandersons be interested? “We were ecstatic,” Susan says. “But we had to come up with the funds very quickly.”

The Sandersons turned to Lynda Adamson, a mortgage loan originator with Regions in Savannah. “We’ve worked with Lynda for years,” says Susan, and we knew if anyone could make this happen, she could.”

It wouldn’t be easy. At the time, the loan office was overloaded with requests for refinancing. The normal turn-around time was 45 days, but in this situation, 45 days wouldn’t do. The Sandersons wanted to drive out west to witness the birth of their child and bring him back home. And babies have a way of coming on their own time schedules. So Lynda reached out to her team.

“I knew generally we were not supposed to expedite files, but this was different–this was for a baby,” says Lynda. “We just knew we had to get it done, no matter what it took. Everyone got excited about this family and this baby. In a true testament to the commitment and enthusiasm of all involved, the loan closed within a week.

“Most of the people who worked on this loan had never met the Sandersons. But they happily got on board and put forth extraordinary effort because they were aware they were making a family’s dreams come true.”

That dream was a beautiful baby boy the Sandersons named Joshua.* Joshua also inherited several honorary “aunts,” who take pride in having helped unite him with his parents and who continue to care and monitor his progress. He already has visited the Savannah branch, and Lynda checks in regularly to see how the Sandersons are doing.

“She’s become so much more than our banker,” says Susan. “Lynda is a friend and a mother figure looking out for us.”

Mother’s Day was particularly special for Susan. “I spoke to our church congregation during the service,” she says. “I shared our adoption experience and how the bank played such an important role in our story. I truly believe that it was God who put us together with Regions. When you wait a long time for a child, you truly appreciate the gift and the miracle when it happens. We couldn’t have done it without the incredible help of Regions.”

“You know stories like this really make you look closely at the significance of your work,” reflects Lynda. “Stacks of papers become more than stacks of papers. They are lives. Dreams. Hopes. What we do -- what most everyone in life does -- somehow touches someone else. Make loans. Make cars. Make hamburgers. It is all connected to humanity. It is all connected to making life better for someone, or for a whole lot of someones. Looking at it that way reveals that what each one of us does is significant.”

* Names and identifying details changed to protect privacy

comments (42)

This story is truly enlightening. It is awesome to know that I work for a company that really does make life better. It is also inspiring to know that associates go beyond the normal line of expectations. This story definitely gave me a new found appreciation and inspiration for working here at Regions.

Spenser

I LOVE this site! It is truly a blessing to work with so many great people everyday!

Shelley

As a parent of an adopted child myself, this story made me smile. It's good to know that my co-workers at Regions have a heart and truly care about others!

sean dameron

This is such a touching story. Lynda that was a remarkable thing you did to get the ball rolling fast. You and your team are really special people. A baby is such a sweet gift from God.

Charlotte Lawson AR

What a wonderful story. Brings a tear to your eye. Send us some more of the same type story. Thank you!

Suzanne M DeCesare

As a adopted child I loved this story it really brought a tear to my eye. I'm so happy that I work for such a great company.

Brittany

Lynda.. thank you so much for your reflections. God has used you in so many wonderful ways. Thanks you for being an example for all of us at Regions.I am so thankful to work for a company where we can make everlasting impressions in the lives of our customers.

Jenny

In light of that is happening around us this story is very enlightening. The Lord has a way of putting people in our lives at the right time. We have to believe that we will come out on top. Good Luck and best wishes to the Sandersons. Lynda and her team did a great job in helping this family make their dream come true. Joshua is definitely blessed.

Francine Watkins

This is the best "feel good" site I've ever seen in a workplace!....

Kimberly

I as a mother of 3 was very touched by this story. Great job Lynda in having a heart and making these customers a priority with something so important in life. Its so nice to read such positive stories in this website. It makes us appreciate more so many things around us.

Elisa

What a beautiful story. It is so heartwarming to know that I work for a bank who looks at customers as people and not just a number! Way to go Regions!

Laurie Cassell

WOW! This is a wonderful story, and without this site we would have never heard of. Thanks!

Sonya

Lynda is so right that we all make a difference to someone else somehow, no matter what we do! Thanking God for that too.

Kate

My brother in law and sister in law experienced somewhat a similar situation 4 1/2 years ago with the adoption of their daughter from China. Their banker was excellent and assisted them with paperwork, loan questions and even prayed with them. I am proud to say that I am a Regions Employee.

Kathy

beautiful story

nancy niehaus

This is a good story and I hope that other people are paying attention. It is people like Lynda that makes this company a good company. Thanks for sharing the story.

Doyle

What a impact Regions had on this family! Very touching!

Sharon

This is a wonderful story. Not only for the great thing that Regions did but for the family that was blessed with a baby. So many people don't understand what it's like for some who can't have their own children and you see so many that are taken for granted. Its really nice to hear when you can do something as wonderful as helping a family with another child.

Rebecca

Awe... I am in tears now... This is such a delightful story. I am so glad that we still have employees that go the extra mile for our customers.

Tomeka Salter

This is truly an inspiration that all of us at Regions should take a lesson from.

Leslie Gonzales

This story gave me chill bumps. This is what banking is all about...helping one another. Thank you, Lynda for bringing life back into focus!

Lou Anne

This story has truly touched my heart. It is wonderful to know that others are so caring and loving. When Lynda said " what most everyone in life does--somehow touches someone else" she was completely right. so it is important that we remember to always be kind to others.

Rashell Glover

This is the most wonderful and FABULOUS story I have heard....it is truly a blessing to work for people that care so much...

Debbie

I feel so blessed to work for such an amazing company that houses such fantastic, caring people. For me, this site is a daily encouragement and reminder that there are still great people in this world. I really enjoy this site.

Maranda Knight

Brought tears to my eyes...we do make a great difference in a lot of lives and this story just recaptures that. Thank you

Pat Dittmer

Good to know there are people that will go out of the way for you still.

ashley lynn

Such a beautiful story! Thank you so much for this site. The stories you share really help us see the good that we can do in people's lives. These are testaments that the things we do everyday in the workplace CAN and DO impact others.

Esther

This is definitely an awesome story! God can use each and every one of us if we allow him to. I'm looking forward to more great "see the good (blessings)" ..... Kudos to the originator of the site...

v williams

AWESOME story! That's just about the sweetest thing I've ever heard. I'm proud of Regions... for making it happen. That's pretty amazing. God Bless Lynda.... It will come back to her, 10 fold. Kids are amazing, and i'm just so happy for that family - to get that baby boy.

Yelena

OMG!! that is truly inspirational, if i was able to get a loan i would definitely go ahead and try to adopt since my husband and i have been trying for 4 years to have a baby. this story was such a blessing for me!!!

Karina

In this day and age to have a business and a customer come together is pretty much unheard of unless it is business. To read the story and know how this came about is a miracle of sorts in its own way. It is nice to know there are people who will go the extra mile to make a dream come true--both for the couple and the baby. There are still miracles around if we take the time to look for them. Congratulations to the couple on their bundle of joy and many thanks to the people at Regions that helped to make a miracle come through.

Judy Bates

This story makes me very proud to be a part of the Regions Team. It's comforting to know we help people who want to help people, especially when it's a baby. Just goes to show we can make it happen.

Bonnie Campbell

That is a beautiful story!!! I am so happy for that couple. Thanks Lynda for what you did.

Scotti Alkire

Congratulations to the Sandersons awesome story

Vasan Serca

This is a great story. Thank You Linda for enriching the lives of the Sandersons.

I Brock

This just feeds the soul!!!!!!!

Sarah

Since becoming a mother of a little boy myself, it is the most amazing feeling in the world and i am so honored to work in a place that really and truly cares!! Making a family is the best thing that ever happened to me and I am sure the Sanderson family are just as excited!! :)

Stephanie

This is just a great story. I am proud to say I am part of the Regions Team. Way to go Lynda for the help you gave.

Tina Thompson Bristol, Tn

God is AMAZING!!!

Connie Grammer

What an uplifting story, it makes me feel good that i work for a bank that cares about people and goes above and beyond the call of duty to impact someones life in such a huge way.

Michael Scott

The more I read, the more I love 'See The Good'. Keep them coming. It is so good to read something positive for a change. Thanks 'See The Good'.

Trisha

This site really brings a smile to my face. I love reading all of the stories.

Megan