What I Want You to Know is a series of reader submissions. It is an attempt to allow people to tell their personal stories, in the hopes of bringing greater compassion to the unique issues each of us face. If you would like to submit a story to this series, click here. Today’s guest post is by Laura Belanger.  What I want you to know about loving your adopted baby is that sometimes, it is not love at first sight. Sometimes, it happens slowly over time, and that is OK. . . .

What I Want You to Know is a series of reader submissions. It is an attempt to allow people to tell their personal stories, in the hopes of bringing greater compassion to the unique issues each of us face. If you would like to submit a story to this series, click here. Today’s guest post is by Hyacynth. I am not broken to joy. I may have said goodbye too soon to babies we'll never hold this side of eternity, but that hasn't broken my ability to rejoice and give thanks . . .

What I Want You to Know is a series of reader submissions. It is an attempt to allow people to tell their personal stories, in the hopes of bringing greater compassion to the unique issues each of us face. If you would like to submit a story to this series, click here. Today’s guest post is by Shannon. When we first started the adoption process and people asked how things were going, it was so fun to answer. I could proudly say, “Great! We just finished our . . .

What I Want You to Know is a series of reader submissions. It is an attempt to allow people to tell their personal stories, in the hopes of bringing greater compassion to the unique issues each of us face. If you would like to submit a story to this series, click here. Today’s guest post is by Katie Christensen-Singley. I've never considered myself a "hippie" or even au natural. I enjoy wearing makeup (and have no interest going out in public without my bronzer - even . . .