Karen Evans wanted to give her baby a better life than she had.

She grew up with an absent father who was involved in drugs. Her mother wasn't around much, either, because she spent most of her time working in an effort to provide for her family.

After suffering two brain aneurysms, Karen's mother lost her ability to care for her four children, and they went into the foster care system.

Between the ages of 9 and 18, Karen Evans lived in 10 different homes. After attending a number of high schools around the state, she ended up in Helena.

A boy who caught her eye led to an evening in which a baby was conceived. Karen was 17 at the time; and it wasn't long before the boy was nowhere to be found.

Evans felt she had little to offer her unborn child except to take care of her body. As her baby grew inside her, Karen ate only organic foods, drank no soda and walked daily. She loved her baby.

As the pregnancy progressed, Evans began to consider placing her child with a family. A family that could give her child a life she never had.

After tossing the adoption option around in her mind, she made the decision to consider visiting with some families. She sought out people who would consider an open adoption, as she wants to be involved forever.

Jeri Lynn and Buck Rea walked into the Catholic Social Services office the same day that Karen Evans did, albeit at different times.

The Reas had an 8-year-old son, Silas, and the desire to have another child in their lives. They made contact with Karen, who was five-months pregnant at the time. A meeting was scheduled.

"We fell in love with Karen immediately," Jeri Lynn said. "We had an instant connection."

Karen was focused. She knew what she wanted. She wanted a home with a loving family for her baby, who by then was determined to be female. But she also wanted a place in that home for herself. She wants to be involved; she wanted her daughter to know who she was.

Jeri Lynn and Buck were receptive to the idea of an open adoption, willing to honor the role of the birth mother. The biggest reason for their receptiveness was Karen. After meeting her, they said, it could not have been any other way.

"We want the baby to have the connection with her birth parents," Jeri Lynn said.

The connection was made, and a bond between Jeri, Buck and Karen grew as the baby girl grew in Karen's belly.

They Rea family was pregnant right along with Karen. They went to doctor's appointments together. Jeri Lynn would frequently bring Karen ice cream, grilled stuffed burritos from Taco Bell, smoked salmon and oysters, or any another item she may have craved.

Karen sought out a unique name for her daughter with the hope that the Reas would feel the same. During a visit, Karen told the Reas she had picked out a name, and wanted to know how they felt about it.

What Karen didn't know was that the Reas, too, had selected a name. They had selected the very same name: Rowan, a Celtic name, meaning 'royal and dressed in white.'

Jeri Lynn, Buck and Silas feel that Karen instantly became part of their family. If Karen had decided to parent Rowan, they would still have a relationship.

This was a hard commitment to make. Jeri Lynn says her family's open-mindedness was what made the everything work.

"We wouldn't have been able to let her go," she said. "We would still be part of her life."

Jeri Lynn helped Karen during her labor and delivery, and stayed in the hospital with birth mother and newborn for two days. During that time in the hospital, a bond was formed that can never be erased.

Rowan Mikel was born a healthy eight pounds and two ounces, and 21 inches long. Karen Evans said the hardest day of her life was handing her baby over to the Reas and saying good-bye.

She cried for two days straight.

Jeri Lynn and Buck understand how hard, yet wonderful, this was for Karen.

"Karen gave us an incredible gift," Jeri Lynn said.

Today, Rowan is 10 months old. She is happy, playful and a drool-making machine. Rowan's birth father has returned, and along with his own family is highly involved in the baby's life.

The dynamics are worked out and good communication has been the key to its success.

Karen is referred to as "first mom," and Jeri Lynn is "mom".

When Rowan is old enough, Karen plans to explain everything to her. To tell her she was adopted out of love.

"I don't ever want Rowan to think I didn't love her," Karen said. "If I didn't want her, I would have had an abortion -- I never wanted that.

"I'd much rather voluntarily give up my child than be a bad mom and have the state take her away," Karen said. This is what happened to her sister.

Rowan lives with her family up Grizzly Gulch in a magnificent home with a beautiful view, plenty of room to run and even a family dog.

"I did the most unselfish thing," Karen said. " I wanted something better for her."