“When you’re 35 and have never been married and don’t have kids, you have a lot to explain to society.”

We Need To End The Toxic Milestone Mentality— Here’s Why

‘I believe I’m the woman you’re looking for.’ We’d reached out to EVERYONE in New York with her name.’: Adoptee finds biological family after 16 years
“A young woman opened the door and met me at the top of the staircase. I KNEW it was her. She hugged me, squeezing as if she never wanted to let go.”

‘I got an alert on my DNA app. It was my birth father! He didn’t even know I existed.’: Adoptee shares search for birth family, pursues adoption, ‘My story is still being written’
“We never imagined we’d be on our own adoption journey. ‘Prepare your hearts.’ We felt lost and confused. The next day, I had an alert on my DNA app.”

‘You have to work harder because of skin color.’ There was NO ONE like me in my classes. I’m changing the narrative.’: Transracial adoptee reflects on ‘reclaiming’ her culture, ‘I’m not alone anymore’
“I wasn’t ‘Latina enough’ to befriend kids at school. My white peers would say things like ‘I don’t see color,’ which made me feel like I was on both sides of the coin. I tried DESPERATELY to fit in and be accepted.”

‘You were born from my heart. I went out into the world to find you.’ My heart raced with excitement. I had to uncover the truth.’: Adoptee shares search for biological family, ‘Family is defined by love’
“My mother was told I died after I was circumcised. She was 13. Lies, secrecy, and betrayal run rampant in the family line. I sat there, stunned. Could this be the link to my past I’d always dreamed of?”

‘Ali, you’re adopted and we love you.’ Fear of abandonment poured through my veins. I was walking on eggshells.’: Adoptee shares self love journey, ‘I had to surrender and trust’
“After an 8 hour surgery, I woke up with a peace sign shaped scar across my entire abdomen. Half my liver and my gall bladder were removed. ‘You are one in 200 cases in the world.’ That surgery gifted me a greater perspective on life. I no longer fear death.”

13-Year-Old Intersex Girl Given Up For Adoption, Accused Of Having ‘Demon’ Inside Her
“At night I would pray to God, ‘Please make me a normal girl in my next life.’ All I could see ahead of me was conversion therapy. Now, I’m finally in a safe place where I am loved unconditionally for myself.”

‘It’s an impossible mission.’ My mom wasn’t going to give up yet. This was for her little girl. She wasn’t about to lose this fight.’: Transracial adoptee shares journey, ‘My life was forever changed’
“I was abandoned when I was born, dropped off in a box by a school. It broke my mom’s heart. ‘I can’t pick up the phone and end my dream.’ She worked without sleeping, day in and day out, to fulfill her dream.“

‘I’m worried to give you the spot because of your hearing.’ I was mortified. I needed to prove him wrong.’: Student with hearing loss becomes advocate, ‘I’m proud of myself’
“The coach pulled me aside. ‘You have the skills, but I’m worried you’ll miss commands.’ I wasn’t about to let someone make assumptions based on my disability.”

‘What will everyone think of me?’ I was a naïve 16-year-old, browsing ‘symptoms of pregnancy.’ I knew the only option was adoption.’: Teen mom details pregnancy and adoption journey, reunites with daughter 20 years later
“‘No, it hasn’t been long enough. I haven’t had enough time with her.’ I watched them drive away with her. I would always have this love for her, a love a mother carries for their child. I would always see the best of everything in her. She was the only perfect thing I have ever done. I never stopped missing her.”