I write to you as an adoptive parent in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He is old enough to tell you that he loves both of his Mom's and do anything to stay with us. It is so heartbreaking to know that my family is not fully recognized although we are willing to love and care for one of Virginia's children. My son does not realize that although he has two mother's, only one of us is recognized and on his birth certificate. It has never mattered to our legislators that I was never the parent that first held his hand and walked him through our home, ensuring that he knew he had a safe and loving home in which he would be able to rest his head and have all of his needs met. It was my lovely wife who held his hand through the hard times and stays with him through every bout of sickness and pain, yet, it is I who is recognized as his mother. I love my son dearly and was very happy to adopt an older child.

The best interests of the child should be the sole factor in deciding whether a child should be placed with a prospective foster care or adoptive parent or parents.