I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be a birthmother. I saw women placing their child on television and never once took the perspective of the woman who carried the child for nine months then placed their baby girl/boy into the hands of a hopeful couple. I like to think I am great at placing myself in other's shoes and taking perspective on situations, but I think the media had shaped me to think more about the adoptee and adoptive parents because no one really talks about birthmothers.
I became a birthmother on November 23, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia and this past year has been the most beautiful, painful year of my life. My son is my greatest accomplishment and I am so proud to be a part of his life. After graduating with my Master's Degree in Elementary Education, I placed my son for adoption. This year I not only gained a son but also his parents who I consider family. You may ask, "Why would you place after graduating with a degree?" Well, I wanted him to grow up with an active father. I did not want to take his innocence by having him see a stressed out single mother trying to make ends meet or a horrible custody battle between two people who live in different states. He now has a mom and a dad in the same house who he can run to in the middle of the night if he has a bad dream, he has a dad who will coach him in all the sports he will play, and he is able to grow up knowing what true love looks like.
I do have days where I question my decision, but I think that is normal in this case. I love Noah (my son) more than anything and that will never change. I have a healthy open adoption in which I get an update each month and two visits a year. When I was pregnant, I made sure to build a strong relationship with his adoptive mom, which was easy because we would literally be best friends if we were the same age haha! She is God's gift to both Noah and me and I am so happy I chose her to be Noah's mama.
As of today, I am a 5th grade ELA teacher in Georgia and love what I do. I have good days and bad days. I am lucky because I know where my son is and how he is doing. I am thankful every day for this gift and I look forward to sharing the up's and down's of this crazy roller coaster with you from here on out.
- Erin