“I Was Adopted”

    My older brother and I love to watch funny movies, like Step Brothers and Dumb and Dumber. 

    My dad and I cheer on the same sports teams—especially the Green Bay Packers.

    And my mom and I enjoy cooking together. She and I can talk for hours. 

    We are family, in every way that any family is connected. We have common interests, and we help each other through tough times.

    The only difference?

    It just so happens that I was adopted.

    My older brother and I love to watch funny movies, like Step Brothers and Dumb and Dumber.

    My dad and I cheer on the same sports teams—especially the Green Bay Packers.

    And my mom and I cook together. She and I can talk for hours.

    We are family, in every way that matters. We have common interests, and we help each other through tough times.

    The only difference?

    I was adopted.

    My older brother and I both love watching funny movies, like Step Brothers and Dumb and Dumber.

    My dad and I support the same sports teams—especially the Green Bay Packers.

    My mom and I enjoy cooking together, and we can talk for hours.

    We are family, in every way that any family is connected. We have common interests, and we support each other through challenging times.

    The only difference is that I was adopted.

    For my whole life, I have known the story of my adoption. I was born at a hospital in Texas, and my parents brought me home to Wisconsin. That’s where I’ve lived ever since.

    Some people think that if you’re adopted, you must be mad at your biological parents. After all, they “gave you up.” But I don’t see it that way. My biological parents made a big sacrifice. They wanted me to have a better life than they could give me.

    Before I was born, my mom met with my biological mother and heard her story. Both of my biological parents had had really hard lives. They didn’t have the support or money to raise me. They wanted me to have a stable, loving family. And that’s what I have now.

    I think adoption is really special. My parents do too. It’s never been a secret.

    For my entire life, I’ve known the story of my adoption—how I was born at a hospital in Texas, and how my parents brought me home to Wisconsin, where I’ve lived ever since.

    Some people think that if you’re adopted, you probably  resent your biological parents for “giving you up.” But the way I look at it, my biological parents didn’t simply give me up. They made a tremendous sacrifice because they wanted me to have a better life than they could provide.

    Before I was born, my mom met with my biological mother and heard her story. Both of my biological parents had lived really difficult lives, and they didn’t have the support or resources they would need to raise me. They really wanted me to have a stable, loving family—which is what I have now.

    That’s why I think adoption is really special, and my parents do too. The fact that I’m adopted has never been a secret or something I was told not to share.

    I’ve never really thought about what my life would be like if I weren’t adopted. Still, there are times when I think about my biological parents. I wonder what they’re like and if I’m like them. Are they athletic? Are their appetites as big as mine?

    We’ve never heard from my biological parents. But something really exciting did happen recently. I found out that I have an older half sister living in Seattle, Washington. She and I have the same biological father.

    Once we found her online, my mom reached out to her mom. They were so happy to hear from us. We started texting right away. Now, my mom and I are flying out to see them in a few weeks.

    I feel nervous, but mostly excited. I finally get to meet someone who shares my biological roots. I already know my half sister likes sports and listens to rap—just like I do. I can’t wait to find out what else we might have in common.

    I’ve never really thought about what my life would be like if I weren’t adopted. Still, there are times when I think about my biological parents. I wonder what they’re like and if I’m like them. Are they athletic? Are their appetites as big as mine?

    We’ve never heard from my biological parents. But something exciting did happen recently. I found out that I have an older half sister! She lives in Seattle, Washington. She and I have the same biological father.

    Once we found her online, my mom reached out to her mom. They were glad to hear from us. We started texting right away. Now, my mom and I are flying out to see them in a few weeks.

    I feel nervous but excited. I finally get to meet someone who shares my biological roots. I already know my half sister likes sports and listens to rap—just like I do. I can’t wait to find out what else we might have in common.

    I’ve never really imagined what my life would be like if I weren’t adopted. Still, there are moments when I wonder what my biological parents are like and if I’m like them. Are they athletic? Are their appetites as big as mine?

    We’ve never heard from my biological parents, but something really exciting did happen recently: I found out that I have an older half sister who lives in Seattle, Washington! She and I have the same biological father.

    Once we found her online, my mom contacted her mom. They were so happy to hear from us. We started texting immediately. Now, my mom and I are flying out to see them in a few weeks.

    I feel nervous, but mostly excited. I finally get to meet someone who shares my biological roots. I already know my half sister likes sports and listens to rap—just like I do. I’m looking forward to finding out what else we might have in common.