On January 1st, 1998, I was born in a local hospital from Mesa. I know it sounds like I am starting off by telling you my life's story, but I am not I promise. When I was born, I didn't go home with the person who birthed me, instead I went home with two people who were chosen to raise me as their own. Evidently, I was adopted and it wasn't an adoption like from an orphanage -- I was plucked straight from the womb.

Now I know what you are thinking, she is adopted? Why is this relevant? Why did she decide to write about this rather than her Thanksgiving or Black Friday escapades? Well November is National Adoption Month, which some are unaware of. Naturally, I really wanted to speak about it because it is something that is so personal and special to me.

I am not going to gush over the details of the adoption or how heartwarming it is to know my biological mother selflessly gave me up. Honestly, I was given to two parents who loved me and raised me well and it's that simple. I could not be more grateful for my parent's love and care for the past eighteen and a half years. I certainly would not be here if not for them.

Not every adopted kid feels this way though. I know some people who have struggled coming to terms with the fact that their parents are not the ones who actually created them. For me, that has never been a big deal to me. Anyone can have a child, well any woman, but it takes a lot more to actually care, nurture, and raise that baby into an adult. My biological parents are my parents by DNA, but they are not the ones who spent nights wiping away my tears from a bad day or cheering me on for a basketball game.

What I truly want to really get across is that being adopted is okay. No, I am not 'lucky' to have been adopted -- that makes it sound like I am some wounded puppy who was graciously picked up off the street. God planned for me to be placed into the home I am in, and that had nothing to do with luck. While I am certainly blessed, I am eternally grateful for the big man upstairs looking out for me, and I know I would not be half the person I am today without my parents.

If you know anyone that is adopted, please don't assume you should be sorry. Being told sorry is like being slapped in the face with a brick. When someone apologizes to me after they find out I am adopted, it always freaks me out. You are apologizing for the fact that I get to live with the amazing parents who raised me. Please please please do not apologize.

Ultimately adoption is awesome, and adopted people are just like everyone else. So, find an adopted person and hug them. Steve Jobs was adopted, and look at what he accomplished. Basically, anyone can be just as great. Happy National Adoption Month everyone!