Happy Birthday Baby!

Thirteen years ago today I gave birth to a baby girl that I subsequently placed for adoption. I can't believe she is a teenager today! I was most fortunate to be able to choose her parents myself and we have an open adoption. Her adoptive parents have gone above and beyond the requirements given them by the agency according to the terms of the open adoption. We are what is referred to as 'fully disclosed', meaning we have exchanged phone #'s, addresses, etc...which was done very early on, within the first year of her life. In addition, they have continued to send me yearly updates on 'our' daughter every year since she was placed with them, while they were only required per the agency to send them up to age 5. We have gotten together several times, though I haven't seen her since she was 4, when I went to their house for brunch. We are all very blessed to be able to share such an open and loving relationship. I look upon them all as extended family members. It is quite surreal to me at times though, just like last week when I received their Christmas card, a picture of Madie on rollerblades, probably from last summer. It seems as though just in this past year, she has grown by leaps and bounds and she really looks like a teenager. It left me wondering how different my life would be today had I opted to parent rather than place her for adoption. I truly can not imagine having a teenager!

Last year, along with the update and usual letter from her parents, Madie also wrote me a letter. To say I was touched would be putting it very mildly...I was brought to tears and so flattered. She had some questions for me and asked if I would write her back and send a couple pictures of myself. She also wanted to know what time of day she was born, because her mom couldn't remember...so today she will be toasting her birth at 5:08pm! Happy Birthday Madeline! I love you!