I didn’t give my child away—he’s not a piece of trash. I placed my child into a loving and thriving home in order to give him a better chance at life.

I see her love on her mom, I see her lean on her dad. I see them love her with all their heart. My choice was not easy, but it was right, and I had to be brave for her. I had to put away my pride for her. I couldn’t be selfish, and I knew I had to let her go.

It took me about a year to understand or have feeling in that hole in my heart. I did not completely start healing until about 10 years later.

“You are pregnant.” I heard those three words at age 18 when I was just weeks into my freshman year of college. I was devastated. I was not ready to be a mom. I did not want to be a mom. I was so excited about my new life and future as a college student.

Ana placed her son for adoption 3 and a half years ago. She shared her story with BraveLove about two years ago. So we're catching up and learning what her life looks like these days.

Hello, my name is Shelbi! Ever since becoming a birth mother, my entire life has changed! Adoption and being a birth mother is something that I am VERY passionate about!

"Adoption. The most beautiful resolution to a broken story." Watch Laura’s Story unfold as she finds peace and was given her voice back through an unexpected circumstance.

Growing up, Stephanie was the oldest of 6, an athlete, and a cheerleader. It was a crushing blow to her and her family when she discovered she was pregnant at age 15. Very few people knew this detail of her life. But as her family began to expand over time, she reveals how telling her story has allowed her to find the adoption support she had been missing.

"I had to let them go so that we could all live." - Aimee, birth mom, #BraveLove

In Texas a birth mother must wait 48 hours before she can legally place her child for adoption. Our friends at The Archibald Project documented a hopeful adoptive family AND a brave birth mother during those 48 hours. These 48 hours may change how you view adoption.