If I could tell you just one thing, it would be this:
Trust yourself.
You're about to make one of the biggest decisions of your life, and while the world may expect you to be filled with doubt or regret, that won't be your story. You know, deep in your heart, that placing Olivia with Shawn and Cheryl is the very best decision for her. That certainty isn't denial or avoidance; it comes from love.
Hold onto that.
There will be people who don't understand. Some will assume you're broken. Others will expect you to carry guilt or wonder if you made the right choice. You don't have to carry their expectations. You know why you're choosing adoption, and one day you'll see that every instinct you have right now was right.
There will be moments when you quietly remind yourself, "There is hope, healing, and beauty on the other side." Hold tightly to those words. They won't just carry you through this season; they'll become the truest description of the life waiting for you. One day, you'll look around at the family you've built together and realize that hope became healing, healing became beauty, and love was present through every step of the journey.
You'll watch Olivia become an incredible young woman, confident, joyful, compassionate, and proud of her story. She'll know exactly where she came from, exactly why you made this decision, and exactly how deeply she's loved. One day she'll even tell you she wants to speak publicly about adoption because she wants people to understand what a healthy, open adoption can look like. In that moment, you'll realize she's living proof of everything you hoped for.
You'll become family with Shawn and Cheryl in ways you can't yet imagine. Cheryl will become your soul sister. Shawn will become one of your closest friends. Together, you'll build a relationship rooted in trust, respect, laughter, and one shared goal: giving Olivia the very best life possible.
The family you've dreamed of for her won't be divided by adoption; it will be expanded because of it.
You'll share your story with others, and women facing impossible decisions will find hope because they found yours. You'll have opportunities to speak about adoption, encourage birth mothers, and show the world that openness isn't something to fear. It can be one of the greatest gifts you give a child.
So whenever life feels uncertain, remember this: You are choosing love. You are choosing courage. You are choosing Olivia.
And years from now, you'll look around at the beautiful, healthy, joy-filled family you've all built together and realize something extraordinary: The hope you're holding onto today was real. The healing came. The beauty was even greater than you imagined.
With so much gratitude,
Ali Marie
