My parents are the corner store of my identity, my culture and my first contact with the unknown. They named me and through them I've learned who I am, where I come from, who lived before me and the things I will need to remember when I question who I am. As an adopted kid, those things become incredibly valuable and central. I already have to wonder a lot about who I am and where I come from because I've lost a lot from my genetic family. Not knowing a single thing about my past or the family's past would cripple me emotionally and socially, so I am glad my parents were there to take over. Having someone to pass on knowledge, experience and the past carried from generations is everything to me.