Dear … ,

I am sure that this letter will be the last thing you expect and we very much hope that it doesn’t upset you as that is not our intention.

We want to wish you a very Happy 18^th Birthday as you start out on the path of adulthood.

Life brings with it many challenges and we sincerely hope that your chosen life will be very happy and that it brings you much joy. You are a beautiful and very intelligent young lady who will have many wonderful opportunities, take them with both hands and thrive.

Hopefully your meetings with your birth family have been joyous reunifications and you will continue to be able to draw support and love from them in the future. Everyone needs family and needs to understand their roots and we are glad that you have been able to meet up again with your birth parents and most of your birth siblings.

As you grow and mature you will learn more about people and learn who to trust and who genuinely cares about you. Sometimes you will get it wrong, as we all do.

All we ever wanted was to be allowed to love and care for you and to give you the best opportunities in life. Although things didn’t turn out as expected, we are honoured to have been a part of your journey and we hope that you will look back positively one day in the future.

With lots of love and best wishes.

From all of your adoptive family.