Julie Vargas

Because I Was Chosen: A Conversation with Julie Vargas *Robert: Julie, what does “Because I Was Chosen” mean to you?* Julie: It really is my life story. My birth parents were very young and didn’t feel ready to have a baby, but they believed I deserved to be born. My adoptive parents desperately wanted a child, and I was blessed to be chosen by them and welcomed into their family. *Robert: How did your parents shape the way you understood being adopted?* Julie: I’ve known I was adopted for as long as I can remember, and it was always presented to me as something special. I never felt ashamed or unwanted. I was told I was chosen. I have two sisters who were born to my parents, and my middle sister and I are only eight and a half months apart. When we were little, I would tell people, “I special girl.” That was how deeply I believed being chosen was something to celebrate. *Robert: Was there a moment when you realized your story could help someone else?* Julie: Years later, I was camping with friends and met a couple who had adopted a little girl but hadn’t told her yet. I shared how important it had been for me to always know my story. I told them that adoption didn’t mean their daughter was less theirs. They chose to be her parents, and they chose her as their child. I encouraged them to tell her before she learned it from someone else and wondered why it had been hidden. *Robert: Has adoption ever felt like an obstacle for you?* Julie: Emotionally, it could have been if I had looked at it differently. But I never thought, “I wasn’t wanted.” I chose to see it as something positive. That perspective came from the way my parents raised me. They gave me belonging, gratitude, and pride in who I was, and that shaped the life I’ve built. *Robert: What role do you hope to play in other people’s stories now?* Julie: An encourager. I think people sometimes fear things that aren’t traditional or don’t look like everyone else’s experience. I want to encourage people to be honest about things that may feel uncomfortable and to step outside the idea that there is only one “perfect” way for a family or a life to look. *Robert: What values feel most important to you today?* Julie: Compassion, connection, and courage. I also want to be more present with my family. I’ve spent a lot of my life focused on my career, and now I’m trying to reprioritize. My parents are going through their own season, my daughters are growing and building their lives, and family still brings me a sense of calm. I want to make sure I’m present for it.