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SALT LAKE CITY — In late August 2013, Jason Mortensen went to the hospital to have a hernia repaired. After being given an extra dose of anesthesia, Mortensen woke up still heavily sedated. His wife, Candice recalled hearing him moaning and groaning loudly.
The moans quickly turned into showers of compliments. Not recognizing Candice as his wife, Jason said things like, “You are eye-candy,” “Are we married?” and “I hit the jackpot!” He even asked her if they had children together, to which she replied, “not yet.”
Equipped with her cellphone, Candice filmed Jason's reaction to seeing her in a video titled, “Seeing her for the first time again,”. It quickly went viral, with more than 13 million hits (and counting) on YouTube.
With interviews on national news stations and many articles written about the happy couple, there was one thing they kept very private: the two had been struggling for years with infertility.
Finding that they each had their own fertility challenges, the couple went through years of expensive surgeries and fertility treatments, one of which resulted in the need for the procedure in August.
Little did the couple know, what was yet another procedure related to their difficult challenge would soon be a vehicle that would help turn their heartache and despair into possibility and hope for the future.
Around the time of the procedure, the Mortensens had discussed the possibility of adoption, and due to the millions of views of the video, the couple was able to begin raising money for this endeavor.
In their search, the couple decided to adopt from Uganda, and soon found a 6-year-old girl whom they planned on adopting. They also were offered the chance to adopt a 6-year-old boy.
After months of planning and preparation to bring these two children home, the couple received some devastating news Friday night. In a statement, the couple said:
“We received some really sad news about the children we are trying to adopt. We have found out today that we can no longer adopt those specific children due to unforeseen challenges in Uganda. We are still moving forward with the adoption process and are considering some other children who also need a home. … International adoption comes with complications and we unfortunately are experiencing some of these. Our hearts are grieving today over the loss of the children we have grown to love and planned for.”
“I know that family is far more than genetic makeup and that many children are waiting for parents, just as parents are waiting for kids," Candice Mortensen said. "Jason and I are both so excited to start our family through adoption and can’t wait to bring sweet children into our home, from wherever they be in this world.”
The couple has set up a page to help fund their adoption efforts at gofundme.com*.
To learn more about the Mortensens' story, or to help with their adoption efforts, you can go to mortensenadopt.wordpress.com or www.gofundme.com/MortensenFamilyAdopt
*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
Arianne Brown is a mother of six who loves running the beautiful trails around Utah. For more articles by Arianne, "like" her Facebook page, follow her on Twitter @arimom5, or visit her blog, timetofititin.com. If you have a story to share, contact her at ariannebrown1@gmail.com.
