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Anne's Story - An Act of Love

Reprint Courtesy of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

On April 14, my daughter celebrated her seventh birthday with her mom and dad in Texas, while I celebrated her birthday in Indiana.

You see, seven years ago, at the age of 15, I gave birth to the world's most beautiful girl: an eight-pound miracle who was destined to have it all. The second I held her, I knew she deserved only the best life had to offer. That's what I gave her. I placed my daughter for adoption with a lot of heartache but no regrets. I wanted my child to have it all. Sadly at 15, I could not give her all she needed. She needed a mom and a dad. She got the best. I chose a couple I had always dreamed of being like someday when I married.

I know my daughter through letters and pictures. An artistic, outspoken, vivacious, green-eyed ball of fire, she is proof that there is a link between genetics and personality. I am so proud of my daughter, not only for being able to read at the second grade level at the age of 5, but for being such a happy, well-adjusted kid.

I chose adoption strictly out of love for my daughter and nothing less. I put aside my wants for my daughter's needs. That's a pretty big sacrifice to make as a 15-year-old parent.

Since the birth of my child, I have finished high school, gone on to college and started a family. For the past seven years, I have been going to schools to educate teen-agers about how wonderful adoption is. Shedding a positive light on adoption is my mission in life. I will not stop until everyone understands that adoption is, above all else, about love.