My mom was a social worker in AR for 30+ years, and she worked in various parts of "the system." Her last 13 years were in a high-security juvenile detention facility. When I speak to her about fostering/adopting, she has a very negative view. I think that her work with those adolescents/young adults (who were not all from foster care) make her biased.
When I was young, I went with her when she discharged babies from the hospital. I remember picking out the outfits she would keep in her office. This was back in the day before car seats were required, so I would hold the baby in my lap as we drove to the foster parent's house. Of course, I wanted to take each of them home!
My mom used to go to houses and remove children from the custody of birth parents, and she completed "home evaluations." She also served as a GA. I know her memories of all of that are tough.
I think that when we get our new additions, she'll remember back to a time when she was a little more idealistic about her job. Now that she's very much into the grandparent role, she may be able to help out in a way that she could not do when she was in the role of the social worker.
I have several friends who have developed families through adoption, etc., so we have a good support system there.
Our current and future children will not lack support--that is for sure!
I think that your friends and family will learn something as you both do during the process. Perhaps they will decide to foster/adopt as well.
I guess I still have my idealism in tact at 35.
It does not hurt to be optimistic...