One word to describe how you felt the moment you discovered you were pregnant?

Devastated, absolutely lost, NO one understood nor would they try to understand….to help.

Why did you choose adoption?

I am adopted and know firsthand the gift of unconditional love.

What and who played the biggest role in your decision to place your child for adoption?

I think my own life helped me make the choice. My adoptive parents are wonderful and helped show me true love in everything. From the time I stepped into the Home for Unwed Mothers, I knew the choice was mine and had made up my mind.

What did you think about adoption before you placed? And after you placed?

I am so grateful for adoption. As previously stated, I am also adopted, so I am most thankful for the process and the life it has given to me. I knew the road after I gave my son up would be hard, lots of secrets, unexplained time, catching up on college, but I knew I could do this part as much as I knew my Son had the opportunities to lead an incredible life that I could not give him.

Looking back, what do you wish you had known then that you know today?

That as in a death of a family member; which is many of the emotions a birth mother can feel; that each day and each year, it gets easier to let go of the guilt, the confused anger, the empty sadness. A birth mother NEVER forgets, life just gets going again and we hopefully surround ourselves with the future.

If you could dispel any myths about adoption or birth mothers - what would you say?

That a child of any nationality, any religious background and/or any region in the world, can be loved and should have the chance to be loved.

When, if ever, have you felt most discouraged about your decision to place?

Of course, Birthdays and holidays play an emotional role on our feelings and those times can be tough, but I have never felt discouraged in my decision.

What's been the greatest reward or surprise of being a birth mother?

That an unselfish decision on my part would actually help my birth Son to be a better person and thrive more because of that decision.

What's your greatest wish for birth mothers today?

Think past now, think past next week, think about this Child, your Child and what is the absolute best for this Child. This would be showing True Love…

What excites you about BraveLove?

Wow, to share a kindred spirit with other Birth Mothers and adoptees. I am also in hopes to get inspiration from BraveLove as I have just found my birth son and do not know how I want to approach him. What I should say and how to say all I want to say.