Every adoption story is unique and special. Adoptive parents, adoptees and birth families alike can relate to the many challenges and rewards of this process. Adoption stories make us nod our heads in recognition, help us reminisce or fight back tears and most importantly, serve as encouragement for anyone touched by adoption.

Some of these stories start out as simple journals or blogs, but then turn into a full-blown memoir and even find their way into the publishing world. It’s not uncommon to hear of a birth parent sharing their adoption story as a way of healing and connecting with their child.

Often, a birth mother chooses to adopt because she feels that her personal circumstances make it impossible for her to provide her child with the life they both desire. A birth parent’s decision is based on the love they have for their child and a desire to give them the opportunity to grow up in a family with love and support.

In many cases, people choose to adopt because they feel that it’s a calling. This may be because of religious teachings, ethical values or a long-held conviction that they are called to be parents. Some have struggled with infertility and after much soul searching, decide that becoming a parent through adoption is more important than ever dreaming of having a biological child of their own.