My Adoption Story

My name is Grace Myers. I’m 19-years-old and was adopted as an infant. This is my story.

I was born on May 3, 2001 in Spartanburg, S.C. I was born at 28 weeks weighing only 2lbs and 13oz. Due to my small size and fragile health, my adoptive parents weren’t even called until I was four days old. After only 7 weeks in the NICU, I was finally able to go home with my adoptive family and now I live a wonderful life.

My Birth Family

In all honesty, I didn’t know much about my birth family until recently. It wasn’t until I started working on this piece that I started looking for more. Here is what I have learned so far:

• My birth parents were a young married couple with an unplanned pregnancy.
• My birth mother is described as a short young woman with wavy brown hair, blue eyes and pale skin. An introvert, she loves to collect dolphins. My birth mother also has 4 other daughters from previous relationships, all of which were born prematurely like me.
• My birth father is described slightly older than my birth mother. He is an introverted man who worked with his hands. He was very tall and had brown hair and brown eyes. My birth father also has daughters from a previous relationship.

I am currently searching for more information and am hoping to meet them one day.

The Reason for my Adoption

As stated above, my birth parents were a newly married couple facing an unplanned pregnancy.

In the few documents I have, their reason for adoption states: 

“…This pregnancy was not planned and, though the birth parents love the child tremendously, it is because of this great love that they have decided to make an adoption plan. They are newly married (a little over a year now) and feel they do not have the monetary resources to provide for this child. In addition, the birth mother states that her relationship with the birth father is strained, due to his family rejecting her as his wife. Both parents stated that his family has also not acknowledged this child because they do not like the birth mother. The birth parents do not want this child growing up without these things that she needs and deserves and experiencing rejection from family.”

My Birth Family

At the time of my adoption, my adoptive parents, Frank and Mary Beth, had been on the adoption waiting list for a year and a half. They had discovered earlier in their marriage that they could not have biological children.

Following my adoption in 2001, Frank and Mary Beth later adopted my brother, David, in 2004 from a different set of birth parents.

Many people do not know or do not believe that I am adopted because I look so similar to my adoptive family. In fact, people used to ask if David and I were twins. But, even though we have similar appearances, we are related only through the blessing of adoption.

I love my adoptive family so very much! Honestly, it feels so odd for me to even add the label of “adoptive” to describe my family. They encourage me in every way, and have fulfilled my birth parents’ wishes by providing me with the best life possible. We have gone on so many amazing adventures together and learned so many amazing things as a family.

Adoption has truly changed my life for the better! I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. My adoptive family loves me just as if I was related to them by blood! Take it from a grown adoptee, being part of an adoption is an amazing thing. Whether you place a child for adoption or plan to adopt a child into your family, you are enabling a child to have the best future possible! I, for one, am very grateful for my birth and adoptive families and the choices they have made!

For adoption resources or to begin your adoption journey, birth parents can visit us at Adoption Choices of Arizona or call or text us at 1-480-900-5520. If you are an prospective adoptive family hoping to adopt a baby, please instead, visit us here!

Meet the Author: Grace Myers is a sophomore Digital Media major at North Greenville University, excited to work with Adoption Choices over the next couple of months. As a firm believer that every individual has a story to tell, and a right to be properly represented, she loves meeting new people and learning their stories. 

When she’s not writing, you can find her listening to music or cuddling with her dog, Sundae.