I was born in May of 1973 and given the name Luz Rio Esperanza Underhill.  I did not learn the name I was given at my birth until many many years later though.  You see, I never went home from the hospital with my mother.  Instead, I went home from the hospital with a foster family and there I stayed until I was 6 months old.  At that time I was placed with my adoptive family, my Mom, my Dad and my brother who they had adopted five years previous to my arrival the week of Thanksgiving 1973.
   My Mom is a teacher who worked only as a substitute teacher so that she could be a big part of our lives.  Boy was she ever a big part of our lives.  *smile*  She was always very active in the PTA, girl scouts (while I went), boy scouts (while my brother went), and even occasionally subbed in my class (UGH!)   
    My Dad worked for a large company until I was about 6 years old and then opened a couple of businesses of his own.  My favorite being his scuba diving business where my brother and I, at the appropriate ages, were allowed to work on Saturdays for extra pocket money (always important to the young teen!).
    My brother, Rick, was and is my brother.  He beat me up, teased me mercilessly, made me smile when I was sad, and has ALWAYS been there whenever I needed him.
     Rick and I are so very lucky to have been raised by these wonderful people.  They taught us to believe in ourselves, to fight for what is right and to always reach for the stars as there will never be anything that we can not accomplish.
    OK--no everything was not always roses as it is not in any family.  We had our bumps in the road, especially during my teen years.  Boy did I drive them crazy!  I still have to apologize on a regular basis to my Mom and Dad to try and clear my conscience (LOL), but, essentially, we had a "normal" life.  There was never any emphasis placed on the fact that we were adopted.  It was a non issue.  We knew from such a young age that we were adopted that I can't really remember ever being told.  It was just what was with no apologies, no "you're special because we picked you", no problems attached to who we were.  I have always felt that we were a family blessed by God and that we are what adoption is supposed to be about.  Rick and I were given a loving family and home when we needed one and Mom and Dad were given two children to give all of their love.
    My parents were always very open and honest about everything and when I asked questions as I grew older, they promised to help me discover everything when I was 18 years old.  They kept this promise to me.