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.

After meeting Abby, there are two things we know for sure - she is a proud birth mom and loves her son with all of her heart!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I respond to people when they find out that I’m a birth mother. It’s interesting to think about my natural response because it tells me a lot about myself.

When I stepped into an adoption plan as an expectant parent I thought, “I’m going to do the very best for my baby and then, it will be over.” There is a lot of parenting on the front end. I decided who would raise him, how well I took care of him, if I would (or would not) take him to the doctor in the womb, give him prenatal vitamins, etc. Lots of parenting decisions.

"You can't read an adoption story without a then and now. The world sees an event where the adoption community knows evolution."

"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."

You share your title as a mother with another woman along with a bond no one else understands. I knew that placing meant being in the presence of true love. Placing means taking an unplanned situation and turning it into a gift for everyone.