I’ve known Rachael for almost seven years. For the first part of those years I had no idea that she was part of the foster care or adoption community. When I found out she had first hand knowledge of what a child goes through when placed in foster care I found refuge in having someone with real childhood experiences help me in my journey as a foster mom. How I react, the things I say or don’t say all have dramatic impacts on my children’s lives. I have asked for her advice before, for things such as “what do you wish your (adoptive) parents would have done or said differently?” “What were the best things they did to help you bond?” Each time taking mental note of the things I could do similarly or differently for my children. This is the first time I asked her to share her story. I’ll…