I was 25 years old and a single mom to my 7-year-old daughter. I found myself pregnant again and in the worst place of my life.
My then boyfriend was much older than I was and did not want to have a baby. Many people were encouraging me to have an abortion. I had one scheduled but when the morning of the abortion came, I could not do it.
I continued to carry and then when I was 7 1/2 months along I had a mental breakdown and called a crisis pregnancy line. The lady on the phone was so kind to me through my sobs. She asked me if I wanted a phone number to an adoption agency, and I said yes.
I began the process of choosing my son's adoptive parents. I thought, “How will I know who is the right couple?”
After looking at the packets of families to choose from, my daughter encouraged me to meet this one couple who I liked as well. I scheduled a dinner with the couple and prayed on my way there that God would show me if they were the ones.
When I met them I knew they were the ones. They were so warm and welcoming. That night I left that dinner and told my adoption counselor these are the people! I felt very connected with them, and they were so kind to me.
Three weeks later I delivered my son.
Immediately after delivery, they put my son on my chest. He was the most beautiful boy I had ever seen. A wave of love came crashing down on me at that moment. It made the decision to place him even harder but I knew it was the right decision for him.
While we were in the hospital we had a name changing ceremony and dedication with the hospital chaplain, the new adoptive parents, and my daughter and I. It was beautiful and painful.
A few days later my son went home to be with his adoptive parents.
The grief was awful for months. Then 9 months after placing my son I gave my heart to God. God began a healing in my heart that I am so thankful for.
Through the years I had a few visits with him when he was a baby and got pictures and a letter every year.
My son is a young man now, and I have had the pleasure of reconnecting with him.
I am so thankful I chose life for him, and I am so proud of the man he is.
I continued raising my daughter by myself.
I am married now to a good man and I work at a pregnancy center helping women in their time of need.
