I became a member of my family even before I was born because I was placed with them by my birth mother. I actually met them in person when I was only two days old and they came to bring me home, to Philadelphia.

When I was little (around 3-8 years old), I was very upset about being adopted because I never knew who my birth parents were. This made me feel very sad and kind of lonely. This happened because people used to ask me who my real "parents" were. (You see I am African American and my adoptive family is not... so everyone knew something was different about us.) People would ask me "how come" I was different from my family.

Now, I know that my adoptive mother and father are my real parents. Real parents take care of you, give you stuff when you make a "puppy face", laugh at your corny jokes, hug you when you're sad and always find your tickle spot.

I have an older brother and older sister, and a new sister-in-law. My older brother and sister are what our mom calls "home-mades" because they are not adopted. I, on the other hand am a "gourmet take-out." And she loves us all the same.

Once I reached the age of 12, last year, I really grew up. Before that I used to have emotional problems and say to my mom and dad that I didn't have to listen to them, because they're not my real parents. But that was just a way to get around them because they are my real parents.

My parents tell me they can't imagine a life without me... that they love me very much. (I mean... who could blame them... right?) I can tell by the way they act that they really like being with me and that we are all part of one family... forever. And forever is what adoption is all about.

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