“More than 50 years ago, I was adopted at birth through a closed adoption process (meaning the birth parents did not select the adoptive parents). I’ve known for as long as I can remember that I am adopted and I’ve always seen it as a very special and unique thing—it’s never been shameful, embarrassing or negative in any way.

When I was in my twenties, I met my birth mother and heard her story firsthand. Abortion was an option, but she chose adoption instead. Out of love and a realization that I was more than a clump of cells, she chose to give me a chance to live in a way that she didn’t feel she could provide. Knowing what I know now about her situation, I have even more confidence that she made the right decision. I was given opportunities growing up that she would not have been able to provide and my parents and my entire extended family is my family. They love me—and not as someone else’s child that they raised. I grew up the same way children with biological parents do and I’m so grateful for my birth mother’s decision.

My immediate and extended family is full of adoption stories… from birth, through the foster care system, internationally…and every story is rich with unique details and yet all of them have the same solid foundation: Love. We’re a family.

I can honestly say that I wouldn’t change a thing about my adoption story and now that I’m older, I can fully appreciate what a beautiful picture the adoptive family is of each one of us that the Lord created and welcomes into His family.”

“I remember as a little girl, I’d ask my parents every night for a sister. I had three brothers, and I just felt like things wouldn’t be right in life without a sister. My parents decided to pursue adoption, and were sent the file of not one, but two little girls -- biological half sisters.

I was thrilled. They joined our family when they were three and five. They made our family better in ways I could never have imagined as a little girl.

Fast forward years later, my family had moved to another state, settled down, and decided to then pursue foster care. Their first foster placement was a premature little girl on oxygen and a heart monitor. After months of fostering this baby, her biological parents requested that my parents adopt her. She took our last name as well, and filled a hole nobody in our family knew we had.

My parents continued to be a safe place for foster children for years after this. I now have five beautiful sisters, and it’s an honor to see how God answered the prayers of my childhood in such big ways.

These girls became part of our family. Part of our story. And we became part of theirs.”

If you would like to talk with someone about adoption options, please contact Next Step PRC.

We also have a variety of resources on this topic.