by Katie Parker
When I was growing up I always knew I was adopted. It was never a secret or some big thing my parents told me about, but just common knowledge and something we talked about often. My brother was also adopted. Our favorite bedtime stories were hearing about how we came into our parents lives (both as newborns).
When I turned 18, however, I received a letter that changed how I thought about my birth story forever. The first line of the letter said “You were the best birthday present I ever got. You were born on my 20th birthday.”
When I was growing up I always knew I was adopted. It was never a secret or some big thing my parents told me about, but just common knowledge and something we talked about often. My brother was also adopted. Our favorite bedtime stories were hearing about how we came into our parents lives (both as newborns).
When I turned 18, however, I received a letter that changed how I thought about my birth story forever. The first line of the letter said “You were the best birthday present I ever got. You were born on my 20th birthday.”
Right then and there, someone that I had somewhat known about and yet never really pictured to be a real person, very much became a real person. Someone had done something that I could never imagine doing.
My parents told me what little information they had about her and said they would be happy to support me in whatever I chose to do. I knew immediately what I wanted to do but I took some time to think and pray about it. Someone had already had their life turned upside down because of me and would I be doing that yet again?
When the decision was finally made I penned a letter to a woman I didn’t know but owed my life to. I had two specific things I needed her to know - 1 - I had come to trust Christ as my Savior and 2 - I was thankful she had made the difficult decision to make an adoption plan.Over time, I began to realize the love and sacrifice that had been made for me!
For the past 17 years I have continued my relationship with the woman who chose to give me life. She went on to marry one of the most amazing men I know. He has loved me with a open heart. They have three children together, whom I have been able to watch grow up. They are all wonderful adults now with whom I share a great friendship and unique bond.
My birth mom, Constance, has been able to be at some special mile markers of my life that she never dreamt possible- my graduation from college, my wedding, time spent with both my children right after their births, their first birthdays, and other visits and this past summer we were able to share a special day that we hadn’t shared together for 35 years - our birthday.
My parents are, and always will be exactly that - my parents. But she has a special place in my life. She gave up something that was a part of her and something she had longed for her whole life, yet she knew God had something better planned for me.
My parents told me what little information they had about her and said they would be happy to support me in whatever I chose to do. I knew immediately what I wanted to do but I took some time to think and pray about it. Someone had already had their life turned upside down because of me and would I be doing that yet again?
When the decision was finally made I penned a letter to a woman I didn’t know but owed my life to. I had two specific things I needed her to know - 1 - I had come to trust Christ as my Savior and 2 - I was thankful she had made the difficult decision to make an adoption plan.Over time, I began to realize the love and sacrifice that had been made for me!
For the past 17 years I have continued my relationship with the woman who chose to give me life. She went on to marry one of the most amazing men I know. He has loved me with a open heart. They have three children together, whom I have been able to watch grow up. They are all wonderful adults now with whom I share a great friendship and unique bond.
My birth mom, Constance, has been able to be at some special mile markers of my life that she never dreamt possible- my graduation from college, my wedding, time spent with both my children right after their births, their first birthdays, and other visits and this past summer we were able to share a special day that we hadn’t shared together for 35 years - our birthday.
My parents are, and always will be exactly that - my parents. But she has a special place in my life. She gave up something that was a part of her and something she had longed for her whole life, yet she knew God had something better planned for me.
| I’ll never forget the day that I, to a very small degree, understood a tiny bit of what she had done. I had to leave the hospital without my newborn child. I called her in tears that day and told as I had many times before, that I don’t know how she did it but I’d never be able to thank her enough for doing it. My grandma, who is a faithful prayer warrior, began to pray for her from the day my parents received word that a baby girl had been born and was for them. She knew something that very few people understand or even think about. At the same time as one family is rejoicing one family is hurting. On my wedding day, as my dad performed my wedding he read yet another letter that had been written many years ago. “God placed you in our lives and you changed the lives of many people. Some people were changed because of joy and some because of sadness but you are a girl that brings incredible change.” Just a little baby, loved by many. |  |
BIO:
Katie and her husband Gary have two kids and we love going to fairs and local festivals as a family. I am passionate about sharing my story so others can be encouraged by seeing how adoption can change lives.
Katie and her husband Gary have two kids and we love going to fairs and local festivals as a family. I am passionate about sharing my story so others can be encouraged by seeing how adoption can change lives.
RSS Feed