I am a birth mother to two beautiful children. Full-blooded siblings that live together with the same wonderful couple.

I was 18 when I had my daughter, and I had no family support. I grew up in an alcoholic home, and I didn't want my child to go through any of the struggles that I had. After praying, I was shown a great couple that had tried to have a family for 10 years with no success. I met with this couple and felt strongly that this was the right choice.

At age 21 with no support, my daughter's father and I found that we were pregnant again. At this time, we had become very close to our daughter's adoptive family, and we felt it was the best option to have both our children together in this loving family.

At BraveLove, we're dedicated to erasing the stigmas of adoption, and a big part of that involves sharing stories that honor birth mothers. As we all know, adoption impacts people forever. The journey isn't over after the decision has been made. That's why we love to stay connected with those who have shared their stories with BraveLove over the years, like Allie.

Allie placed her son for adoption six years ago. Two years ago she shared her story with BraveLove (see here), and today we're catching up with her to see what the details of her life look like six years later.

How would you describe yourself today?

Today I am stronger. I am stronger because I've been able to build myself with grace, humility, and perseverance. 19-year-old me wouldn't recognize who I am today. Through my open placement of my birth son I've learned to give myself grace on the hard days and give grace abundantly to others when needed. I've learned humility because by God's power, not mine, that my birth son has a loving home and provisions I couldn't provide when I placed him. I've learned perseverance through being a birth mother; it's not always an easy road and it's often you become weary from. Persevering through the myths that come along with the title, and dispelling them whenever I can. Each and every day I try to be a better version of myself than I was yesterday.

At BraveLove, we're dedicated to erasing the stigmas of adoption, and a big part of that involves sharing stories that honor birth mothers. As we all know, adoption impacts people forever. The journey isn't over after the decision has been made. That's why we love to stay connected with those who have shared their stories with BraveLove over the years, like Jori.

Jori placed her daughter for adoption nine years ago. She shared her story with BraveLove about five years ago (see here). Today we're catching up with her to see what life looks like nine years later.

How would you describe yourself today?

I am a wife of 8 years. A birth mother to an amazing 9-year-old girl. A mom to twin 7-year-old girls, a 4-year-old dinosaur loving boy, and the sweetest 10-month-old baby boy. I am a non-paid taxi driver, chef, house cleaner, laundry folding expert, Netflix junkie, and a book reader while in a warm bath lover.

At BraveLove, we're dedicated to erasing the stigmas of adoption, and a big part of that involves sharing stories that honor birth mothers. As we all know, adoption impacts people forever. The journey isn't over after the decision has been made. That's why we love to stay connected with those who have shared their stories with BraveLove over the years, like Wynter.

Wynter placed her son for adoption in 2001. She shared her story called "The Secret Inside Me" with BraveLove about five years ago (see here). Today we're catching up with her to see what life looks like 17 years later.

How would you describe yourself today?

I am a work-from-home mom, wife, and business owner.

What do your days look like?

I have three, school-age kids, work part-time for a fantastic, world-changing nonprofit called Mending the Soul, I am a part-time freelance editor, blogger, and author, and my husband and I founded and run a nanobrewery just outside Portland, Oregon!

At BraveLove, we're dedicated to erasing the stigmas of adoption, and a big part of that involves sharing stories that honor birth mothers. As we all know, adoption impacts people forever. The journey isn't over after the decision has been made. That's why we love to stay connected with those who have shared their stories with BraveLove over the years, like Tamra. 

Tamra placed her son for adoption in the mid 90's and didn't have an open adoption. She shared her story with BraveLove about five years ago (see here). Today we're catching up and learning what her life looks like these days.

How would you describe yourself today?

I am a Primitive living, Wilderness survival instructor and Backcountry guide. I am a minimalist and a nomad. I am the favorite aunt to 20. I am a Mormon. And I am a birth mom in reunion and an adoption advocate.

At BraveLove, we're dedicated to erasing the stigmas of adoption, and a big part of that involves sharing stories that honor birth mothers. As we all know, adoption impacts people forever. The journey isn't over after the decision has been made. That's why we love to stay connected with those who have shared their stories with BraveLove over the years, like Gerrianne.

Gerrianne placed her son for adoption in the mid-80's. She shared her story with BraveLove about five years ago (see here). So we're catching up with her and learning what her life looks like these days.

How would you describe yourself today?

I am a joyful, fun, risk-taker and passionate (about adoption) individual.

This letter is intended to reach birth-mothers who don’t quite understand their emotions yet of a new placement or even an old one.

I hope it reaches someone who needs to hear that they’re not alone in these times; I know I would have welcomed a “letter” from someone who has been able to sort through and know these similar feelings of the turbulent waters of becoming a birth-parent.

Meet Allie! She's one of our newest contributors to the Being A Birth Mom column...

Hey there, I'm Allie!  I am a birth mother, wife, daughter, blogger, manager and dog mom. My favorite nickname I have is "Mama Allie" which was given to me by the most precious little boy I've ever laid eyes on. I placed my son 6 years ago as of December 2017. I am a manager and artist for a pottery studio in West Texas.