How do you celebrate? Do you do something similar to me? What about reading a story inside a book that can record your voice and sending it to your little one? What about a Build-a-Bear every year, where you pack love inside? What about a coffee date with yourself? What about retelling your child’s birth story in writing or to a loved one?

I remember being where you're at. I remember the shock, guilt, confusion, anger and the surreal feeling of having no control. I've been the girl sitting on the bed crying looking over 8 positive pregnancy tests, thinking if you take one more maybe it won't be true. Because I've been there and I've felt those feelings, I want to say a few words to you.

"You gave me one of the greatest gifts this world has to offer– siblings."

Many people will never understand how I could place her for adoption and that's ok because this was my journey and this is my testimony. All I ask is that you read it and share if you like...

If you ask me about myself; I will tell you I am a wife, and a mama to 4 kiddos, I will say that I love Jesus and journaling, and making reclaimed wood art. At some point, I will probably mention my affinity for Dunkin Donuts and Harry Potter; and most likely I will tell you that I'm a birth mom, too. These are a few parts within the story of who I am.

"For a long time, I had no idea there was a whole world of birth mom support."

"Right after my birthday in late September I received the phone call I had prayed for. My son wanted to meet me."

We like to plan…to not feel surprised. Unfortunately things don’t always go according to how we anticipate. How do we deal with these things? How do we deal with the consequences that come with situations not turning out the way we predicted? When it comes to adoption stories, we want to foresee the outcome, but the reality is, there is no way to know fully how they will actually turn out.