Adoption is one of the greatest things in the world. Two people decided that they want to take care of a child who is not biologically theirs, forever. Every single adoption story is different yet so special and unique in their own way. My adoption story, albeit nontraditional, is just as special and unique as an infant being adopted, or a teen with a special need being adopted.

When I was growing up, my mom and biological father got a divorce, and for a while after the divorce my life was what you typically think of when you think of a divorced or separated couple. I spent every other weekend at my father’s house along with my baby brother. Well, as time went on things changed. My biological father began missing his visits. I remember sitting outside in the front of my house waiting and waiting and waiting for someone to come who deep down I knew wasn’t going to. Later it became I would see him on Christmas, but that’s all.

While my biological father was getting used to a life with his new wife and new children, my mom remarried this amazing man. He quickly became my dad, a title I use only for him. I remember telling one of my friends at school that I had a dad and a father. I choose that because the word dad, for me, only applies to people who are there for me 24/7. My dad tells this story about how I didn’t like him at first, and it’s true I didn't. Apparently to show it I would yank his fingers apart to show my dislike and frustration.

When I was 14, my whole life changed. I was pulled out of school after one period by my parents telling me we had somewhere to go. We were off to the lawyers. Because of my age, I had to legally allow my dad to adopt me. Of course I was so excited as this was something that I wanted just as much as they did. I will remember that day forever. It's one of those days that I could never, and never want to, forget.

What people don't know is that when a family applies for adoption, you go through so much else before you actually get approved. Our adoption was no different. Child Protective Services came to our house to do a home visit. I remember my mom and I cleaning the whole house and making it spotless. This was still during the time when my siblings and I would play the Wii, and my mom told us we couldn't play until after the inspection lady left the house. After the inspection woman looked around our house, she went to talk to my parents about my brother and me. After about 15 minutes, she called me and then my brother into our living room. She asked us questions about our family and about of lives. Being only 14, I answered the question like a quiet yet brave mouse who just wanted to be adopted.

A few days after our home visit, we received word that, pending my parents physicals, we were approved for adoption. This was so exciting for us. On August 19, 2009, my Mom, Dad, brother, sister, Nana and Papa went down to family court. We had this wonderful woman judge who asked both my brother and I questions. She even joked about my brother's effort at school. The best part was that she signed the adoption papers and I officially became a Miller.

Now, I celebrated my 7th "Gotcha Day" along with my brother. A Gotcha Day is a day that you celebrate the day you were adopted. I am so truly blessed to have a dad who is so selfless that he would adopt two children who are not his own.