BraveLove is excited to announce the start of something NEW!

We are launching a birth mom editorial column called Being a Birth Mom - a special space for birth moms from across the country to share their unique perspective. This is not intended to feature specific adoption stories, but rather a place to gain insight into the world of what it's like to be a birth mom. 

Meet Michelle - our very first contributor! Before hearing more from her, we thought you might like to get acquainted and learn a little bit more about her story! 

Hey there! I’m Michelle, a wife, mom, birth mom, adoption professional, friend, and writer. Most of what I write is adoption related. Why? I’m glad you asked.

On March 10, 2000 I gave birth to a baby boy and I chose to place him in the care and home of a mom and dad, who were prepared and stable. That choice has affected my entire life since then. What I thought was a moment became a lifetime. I have become intimately familiar with the famous question, “How long is forever?” and its answer, “Sometimes, just one second,” from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

No one ever told me that this is a journey that lasts a lifetime. Honestly, if they had, I don’t know that I would have heard it because of where I was at the time. It was the best option for me, for him. It would give him the most and because I was in love with him in a real and powerful way, I wanted him to have everything.

I didn’t consider myself much, other than the negative parts, the parts that still needed maturity and the parts that were lacking. So, when I figured out that this birth mom thing doesn’t go away, I needed help.

I needed desperate help and there wasn’t any. I could have gone back to my agency, yes, but I was in another state then and this journey of healing is so personal, I needed to process on my own. I did that through writing.

Now, sixteen years later, I’m still writing about my experience as a birthmother. My heart is to connect and encourage and enlighten. I want other birth moms to know they are not alone and I want adoptees to know how loved and wanted they are and I want adoptive parents to know the birthparent experience, which includes a lot of love from them. I believe we need to hear from each other, from all parts of the triad, and hopefully, we can grow and change this thing together.  

In the coming weeks Michelle will be sharing more about various topics related to being a birth mom. Read her first article called 'What you wish you had known then that you know today'.   To read more from Michelle - visit her website! 

> If you are a birth mom, we want to hear from you! If you're interested in contributing to the Being a Birth Mom column check out the editorial guide here or send us an e-mail!