Your Stories

Hot Springs, AR, USA on the 8th of May, 2017, at 12:00am

By Andrea H

I bought this star map for my baby sister, Jessica. But she’s much more than my sister.

May 8, 2017 was the day I legally adopted her. I wanted her to have something special to commemorate a day that was going to be so important for both of us. I searched for months for the right gift and couldn’t find it. I thought about jewelry but I wanted it to be something that couldn’t be lost.

Jessica and I have been through so much together. I’m 36 and she’s 23, and I’ve been her ‘mom’ for so long. I woke up in the middle of the nights to feed her when she was just a baby. I took her to school. I quit college to move home and help raise her. Yes, we have parents. We have a mom and a dad. They had 9 kids together and I mothered most of them since I was one of the oldest. But Jessica, being the youngest, needed my attention more and I gave it without thinking. Our parents had kids just to have them. Most of us didn’t feel wanted. Jessica and I have had a special bond and connection.

She asked me in 2016 to finally adopt her and be legally what I’ve always been to her, her mom. She was serious and we started the process. An adult adoption isn’t so rare, but it is unorthodox. Regardless, being Jessica’s legal mother is something I’m so thankful to be. She’s my world.

When I saw Under Lucky Stars, I knew immediately that this what the gift to help show how lucky I feel to be able to be this person to Jessica. Now she has graduated with her Bachelor's degree as well as her MBA. She told me on the day of her MBA graduation that I was the only person who deserved to be there celebrating her because I’ve gerned with her every step of the way.

There’s no greater compliment I could’ve been given.