Sometimes I wonder about my adoption. But I don't have to go far to find answers to my questions. Mom and Dad tell me what I want to know. And since I have an open adoption, I stay in touch with my birth mother, Kendra, too. Although I don't see her often, we mail each other lots of notes and photos. I keep everything Kendra sends me in a big box on my shelf.

I especially like to look at the photos of the Birthday Tree. That's the little tree Kendra planted in her yard after I was born. She says the tree reminds her of me and the way I'm growing. Each year on my birthday, Kendra decorates the tree and mails me a photo of it. And every year that tree grows taller!

One day Kendra sends me a note that says:

Dear Megan,

I have some exciting news! I am getting married in two months! I'll be moving to a different town. I'll come to see you and your family on the way to my new home.

Love, Kendra

My stomach turns upside down. All I can think of is the Birthday Tree. Kendra will have to leave it behind when she moves. What if Kendra forgets me, without the tree to remind her?

I want to ask Mom my question. But the words get stuck in my throat. Instead I say, "Tell me the story of when I was born."

Mom pulls me onto her lap like she always does when she tells the story. "Kendra counted every one of your fingers and toes," she says. "Then she kissed the top of your head and began to cry. Ken-dra loved you so much! Yet she knew she wasn't ready to take care of a baby, so she'd chosen Dad and me to be your parents."