"My Story" - Reggie

How would you describe your adoption? 

I remember it being rough when I was young, at least the parts I remember. I always felt really nervous because I didn't know how things were going to go. I went to a foster home with great parents and siblings, but my birth mother was in the picture and was supposed to come back to get my siblings and me at some point. I remember lots of times looking out the window waiting for her return. Overall, my adoptive family was amazing. I was always fed, had clothes, a roof over my head. I knew I was loved and I always had great toys growing up. I thank God that I had such an amazing adoptive family because I’ve heard stories from other adoptees who didn't. I’m grateful that my two birth siblings, who I later reconnected with, had awesome adoptive families as well.

Where are you in your adoption journey today?

Now, I am at peace. My wife hired a private investigator to help me find information about my birth mom as well as my two siblings. Our mother passed away, this explains why we never got to reconnect with her. My sister is in NY, and my brother is in VA, while I’m in MD. We don't have clear information about our father. It would be great to know more about him, but I feel like I’m at peace because I had a great adoptive family who has always shown me love and been there for me.

Being adopted has taught me...

...that God surrounds you with all types of people on your journey to love you, teach you, and encourage you. Sometimes we want our parents to be everything for us—love us, provide for us, and guide us, but sometimes their only role is to give us life. And, if that is their only role, I am deeply grateful. It took me a while to get to this feeling, but I am grateful for my birth parents' powerful role. And then other people take on the responsibility of raising us and being with us on the rest of the journey. I’m grateful for everyone that has had an impact on my life journey because I wouldn't be who am I without them. Every single person has made an impact whether for a reason, season, or lifetime.