Dear scared, pregnant, and alone:

My name is Elizabeth, and my birth daughter turned six today. It feels like yesterday that I was reading that life-altering pregnancy test while crying on the bathroom floor. I remember feeling scared and alone, but what I remember most was having this overwhelming feeling of needing to get rid of my secret.

I made an appointment at the abortion clinic on East Broad Street, and I remember the counselor telling me, “I would never have to think about it again.” I know she referred to my baby as an it probably to stay detached from the situation at hand, but it bothered me. My heart was beating out of my chest, and I heard this voice inside me that told me to leave.

I left that abortion clinic feeling more scared than before simply because I knew that abortion was not the answer. On my way home, I passed 3 signs. One said, “Are you pregnant? Scared? Alone?” The next sign was on a bench in my community that read something regarding adoption. The final sign was in my mother’s neighbor's yard that read “Prolife.”

After several days of crying and a lot of prayer, I sought out an attorney and started reading through Life Books (a book that couples wanting to adopt make in hopes that they will be chosen to be the parents). I went through several and none of them appealed to me. My attorney handed me another Life Book, and I took it home to read. This Life Book was different — it made me feel at peace and the potential adoptive parents wrote me a personal letter letting me know that they were praying for me and thanked me for choosing life for my baby. At the very end of the letter was a single bible verse: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you, not harm you, plans to give you hope, and a future.” This same bible verse is the verse that was tattooed on my side at the young age of 18.

I knew that this was it; these were the parents for my baby. I met her adoptive parents around 14 weeks pregnant and both were very active during my pregnancy. When my beautiful baby was born, she was placed in the arms of her mother and father. It was the best thing I could have hoped for. She has a mother and father who love her so very much. We continue to keep in contact and while I have days where I still break down, I am so happy that my little girl is surrounded by so much love.

If you are someone who is reading this, you are not alone. I have been in your shoes. Although everything seems so overwhelming right now, it will be alright. I promise.

Elizabeth