WORDS OF STRENGTH Dear Birth Mother, If you are reading this, you've probably just made one of the hardest, but wisest decisions of your life. I know, I've been sitting right where you are. If you are as scared as I was, you would probably love someone to ease your mind about all the upcoming months. First of all, let me assure you, these people at Adoption Advantage are the nicest people you will ever have the pleasure of knowing. They've become a second family to me. They took care of me from day one, and followed me not only through the birth, but they are still checking on me even today. I never once felt alone and always had someone to call. The mid-wife that took care of me is the best in the business, and has become one of my best friends. Second, let me rest your mind about your adoption decision. Raising a child is the hardest job in the world. I have a 15-year-old son to prove it! I was terrified at the prospect of starting over, not to mention that the father of my child was very abusive. Adoption Advantage found the most wonderful parents in the world for my son. When I think about the life that my child would have had with me, as compared to the wonderful life and parents he has now, it fills me with great joy and peacefulness. I know first-hand of the turmoil you are experiencing. Rest assured, Adoption Advantage will take wonderful care of you and your baby. You can't imagine the gift you are giving to a childless couple that has tried and prayed for a child for so long. Adoption Advantage will find parents that will shower your baby with love and security. In closing, just know that you've made a very hard choice, but you've made the right decision in the adoption agency you have chosen. There is no one better. Best wishes and God Bless you!! Dear Friend, I am 21-years-old and a few months ago I placed my baby for adoption. I would like to share my story and hope that it will be of help to others. After completing high school at age nineteen, I found myself pregnant, young and scared. Reality was kicking me in the stomach. My boyfriend was more interested in himself than me and for several months, I did not tell anyone about my pregnancy, including my mother. I did a lot of lonely thinking during those months, and my only companion was my baby inside. I cried a lot, and I grew older by a hundred years. Eventually, my mother found out. I am very lucky to be close to my mother, and therefore, I listened to her advice. She stated that keeping the baby would ruin my life since I was too young, inexperienced and not ready to be a mother. After hearing about adoption as an alternative, I made many calls and interviewed a lot of people, searching for the right place to help me. Eventually, I decided to work with Adoption Advantage. They were very caring and sensitive with me and I knew I had found the right place! I chose an adoptive family within a week. I got to know the adoptive parents and developed a special relationship with the mother who is raising my baby. I knew that I made the right decision. If I had any questions, or fears, I would always call my counselor at the Agency. I requested counseling and was given a choice of counselors. Counseling was especially helpful both before and after the birth of my baby. Labor lasted eighteen hours! After delivering the baby, I did not know whether I wanted to see him or not. The next morning, I poked my nose in the nursery to see if the baby looked like me, or the father. Seeing the baby made me feel better, although I have been told that some birth mothers prefer not to see or hold the baby. I saw and held my baby. Giving birth to the baby and placing the baby for adoption was the most painful thing I have had to face. It is difficult to get in touch with your feelings and to "go on." You do remember the exact day you got pregnant, the day that you had the baby, and the day that you placed the baby for adoption. I look back at all those memories and tears well up in my eyes. However, I'm happy knowing that I made the right decision. I did have some guilt, but I know that my baby is happy with his adoptive family and I am with them as well. I am grateful to them for raising him. I would like him to know, that when he is an adult, if he wished to see me he will always be welcome. Dear Birth Mother, I felt compelled to write this letter hoping that my experience might help someone else in this very important decision making time. It is my wish that in this situation, every woman could feel as blessed as I did by giving my child to two wonderful, loving, Christian parents. I won't say that it wasn't a hard decision, but with the support, financial and emotional, and the friendships that I made through Adoption Advantage, I was inspired to make the right decision for myself, my children, and our future together. With prayer and a relationship with God, I realized that God has worked through me to make someone else's dreams of having a family come true in living color. I want to add that I am continually blessed by knowing that I chose life for this child, and that I have been rewarded, by doing what I feel in my heart and soul that God has intended for me to do. Search your soul, and prayerfully make the best decision for your baby. Don't let pride or selfishness be your guide, but keep in line with what YOU believe God is intending for you, and your child. There will be many who will judge you and try to change your mind. But remember, only you and He can come up with the right plan. It is YOUR decision. The people that make up Adoption Advantage have changed my life, for the better, in so many ways. I have made lasting friendships. I know that I can come to them for anything and there will always be open arms. I truly feel I have entered a family of wonderful, caring people that I could never replace. My only wish for you is that your experience could be as blessed as mine was and continues to be. My prayers are with you and your child, whomever and wherever you are.