Six Things I Want You to Know About Your Birth Mother

I don't want to speak for her. Her reasons for making an adoption plan are her own, but I do know that she wanted you to be safe, loved, and cared for. I feel that responsibility every morning when I see your sweet face and think of her.

She is really, really brave. It was likely the hardest thing, or at least one of the hardest things, she had ever done or will ever do. I think your birth mother is heroic.

Mostly, it was so you would never be ashamed of who you are and where you came from. We value your heritage and everything that makes you you. I hope you will always be mindful of your birth mother, even if there are periods of time when you don't have frequent contact.

We are grateful for them, too. We are happy to make connections with supportive and loving birth family members. They prove you have more people to love you and care about you because you are a child who also happens to be an adoptee.

I hope she knows this--like really, truly knows this. I pray for her. I think of her every day. The fact that I feel this way also means I hope she feels like she can be open and honest with me. I never want to hurt her and I pray she knows my intentions are pure. I love sharing photos and stories of our daily life with her. In return, I enjoy hearing about what is going on in her life. It is never a burden. On the contrary; it expands my joy to share it with another woman who cares deeply for you.