I was always told growing up that I was a blessing, a dream come true for my parents. They tried for two years, at world renowned Duke Medical Center, to have a baby before they decided to adopt. My parents began the adoption process in September and by November they had found a young mother who was interested in them. My parents soon flew out to meet her and felt an instant connection. They made the match official and over the next five months they kept in close contact over the phone and through the mail until the early morning on March 19th, my parents got a phone call that my birth-mother was in the hospital having contractions. They immediately got on a plane and flew from North Carolina to Oklahoma arriving at the hospital by noon and they were made parents when I was born at two in the afternoon.

I can't imagine how difficult and scary this entire process must have been for both my parents and my birth-mother. Each of them made sacrifices and took chances all for my sake and when I think about how different my life could have been, I become absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude. My birth mother was 18 years old when she found out she was pregnant with me and now that I am the same age I can comprehend the significance of the decision she made. It was selfless and generous because she not only chose to give me life, she chose to give me the best life possible. By putting me up for adoption she gave me a chance to become anything I wanted to be. She gave me endless opportunities, she gave me hope and there is not enough thanks in the world that I could possibly give her.

A vital part of the beautiful gift my birth mother gave me was the amazing decision she made when she chose my parents. My mom and dad are incredible people who fill my life with more love than I sometimes know what to do with. They brought me into a family that has always accepted and unconditionally loved me regardless of the fact I was adopted. My parents work astonishingly hard to ensure that I have the best education, a roof over my head, food in my mouth, clothes on my back and that I lead a happy, fulfilling life. They give me undying support no matter what it is that I am doing and, believe me, between my seven years in band and my numerous other activities that is not easy. But I never hear a word of complaint from my parents because they love me and what makes me happy makes them happy. I could not have asked for better parents than the ones I have, I love them more than they will ever know.

I am so beyond blessed to be who I am and where I am today. I am a successful college student with aspirations to become an animal behaviorist. I have a loving family and amazing friends, I have a life, a life that is possible because a young woman made a choice and two people longed to be parents. My adoption was the best gift I was ever given and I am in awe that I was lucky enough to receive it.