If you look at my Dad’s sister’s family, they look like your average family. The daughter looks like her mother and the son looks like his father. The crazy thing is that their children aren’t biologically theirs. They were adopted from Russia when they were both six months old. However, they are biological in my book. They’re my family. One day, I was thinking about how lucky I was that I got blessed with amazing cousins. I decided that I wanted to write a letter to their biological parents. I wanted to let them know how thankful I am for them and their choice of adoption.

Dear my cousins' biological parents,

I first want to thank you for bringing these two into the world. It is because of you that I got two best friends and two incredible cousins. Thank you for choosing to give your babies up for adoption. Due to that, my Aunt and Uncle were blessed with two marvelous children. Your choice to give your children up was probably one of the hardest decisions that you’ve ever made. Adoption is not something that you should feel bad about or be ridiculed over. I want to praise you for your decision. I know that some may be against it, but you changed my whole family's life. You wanted a better life for your children and you gave them a life that they may have never gotten.

Second, I wanted to show you what your choice did for these two children. They both are astonishingly smart and have academically thrived. One is a high school graduate who is going to Notre Dame, a school that is one of the top 20 in the nation. The other is on her way into her hardest year in high school: junior year. Not only are schools for sports recruiting her, but she also has to take a test that will decide her future (and she’s going to rock it). They both have their own wonderful groups of friends that are supportive and will continue their friendships for years to come.

Last, I wanted to truly explain what you mean to me. I don’t know who you are, nor will I ever, but you have had one of the greatest impacts on my life and my aunt and uncle's life. You have given us two great children who are now adults. You have given my aunt and uncle the best kids that they could ever ask for.

As I close up my letter, I wanted to say thank you again. Thank you for giving my cousins the world. They now have a bright, beautiful future full of love and happiness. We love them so much and I thank God every day for them.

Thank you and I hope that maybe you’ll find this letter and you’ll understand how thankful we are for you.

-Me