Best for My Son

In the last year, I faced the single most impactful experience of my entire life. On a stormy morning in October of 2021, I learned that I was unknowingly 33 weeks pregnant and in active labor after being told by multiple doctors that I would never be able to have children. I gave birth to a beautiful boy 13 days after learning of his existence. The moment I saw him I fell head over heels in love. This overwhelming devotion I felt brought up so much pain inside of me. I wanted what was best for my son, and I knew deep down that I would never be able to give him the life I had dreamed of living as a child.

For the first time, I experienced a motivation and selflessness that was previously untapped. I vividly remember looking at my son in the NICU, counting how many ounces of formula he had eaten, and trying to calculate how much money I would need to feed him for a month. I will never be able to convey the deep regret and grief I felt when I realized that I had let my life fall short, counting those bottles over and over again.

I placed my son for adoption when he was 10 days old. Although I still get to be a part of his life, I will always regret not being who he needed me to be. Since he was born, I have undergone a complete mental and emotional transformation that has lead me to continuing my education. I am determined to never let my life fall short for him again.

I am attending a university to create the life that I so desperately needed a year and a half ago. I may not be able to go back and change those circumstances, but I am surely able to make sure it never happens again. I believe that I am deserving of this scholarship because I know in my soul that I am ready, and I am excited at the prospect of showing myself, the university, and the Lifetime Adoption Foundation how much I can achieve. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to develop a greater sense of confidence and relieve the financial burden that college puts on my current and future income.

Thank you for your consideration.

– 2023 Scholarship Recipient