Why I gave my daughter to another family

3 years ago I took a positive pregnancy test. I was 15. My boyfriend and I had been having sex rarely and always used protection so we weren't being as irresponsible as you might think. As a 15 year old I had an option. Either keep the baby and have her grow up in an unstable environment and grow up without a lot of things or let a family that cannot have children take care of her.

Needless to say I was terrified. I was in my freshman year of high school. My boyfriend and I had only been together a few short months and I couldn't take care of a baby. I was in no way ready for this kind of responsibility. I had heard a lot of success stories of teen moms but I couldn't even begin to think of myself raising a child.

When I told my mother I wanted to give the baby up for adoption she was very angry with me at first. She said that I shouldn't have been having sex in the first place and that now I was running from the consequences.

My first appointment with the adoption agency was terrifying. A woman spoke with me about the possibility of me changing my mind and how I had to be certain before I chose the family. After a lot of readying and signing of contracts I started reading files. I read about different couples and read letters that they had wrote saying why they should get my baby. It told me their occupations and what not.

I got to a file of a couple that was unable to have children and the man was a paediatrician and the woman was a doctor. Their letter told me that they had lost many babies and they wanted to have a baby that they could love and cherish. They would be able to afford anything the baby needed and would also be emotionally available for her.

I got to interview them and ask them questions. I told them I was choosing them and the man literally stood up from his seat and pulled me into a hug. He promised me that my baby would have the best life anyone could offer her.

At their first doctors appointment with me they heard her heart beat and saw her gender reveal. They saw her suck her thumb and kick.

I asked them a serious question when I hit 38 weeks. Can I write her a letter that she can read when she is older. They said yes, that when she became old enough to understand they would give it to her and if she wished she could contact me.

When I went into labour I cried. Not from the pain of the contractions but from the pain of losing my daughter. I had written my letter and I had signed all of the paperwork. I had made everything how I needed it.

When I arrived at the hospital they were there every step of the way. When I gave birth to her I didn't hold my daughter. I asked to not even see her because I knew it would be too hard but the nurse insisted that I hold her once before she is gone.

When I held that precious little girl and she opened her eyes I saw her grey blue eyes...my eyes. I cried and held her and told her I loved her so much. When I gave her to the woman, she didn't cry. She looked up at her and she looked so serene. I knew right then that I had done the right thing.

My beautiful daughter is 2 1/2 and her parents have given her more than I ever could have and she is warm and safe and cared for.

To anyone that says if you truly love your children you wouldn't give them up for adoption. I had to love her enough to know this was what's best for her. I had to love her enough to let her grow up in a stable home with loving parents rather than with me. You know that you truly love someone when you sacrifice yourself for their best interest.

****I never imagined my post would get this much attention. I appreciate all of the support that I have gotten from all of you amazing women. I hope this reaches people and helps to educate them on these types of decisions. Love and prayers to all of you.