Blog

Lauren Frost, Miss Oklahoma 2024, is an advocate for adoption and foster care. In this guest blog, she shared her personal experience with adoption to inspire others to consider adopting a child waiting for a family.  

“Your new Miss Oklahoma 2024 is … Lauren Frost!” As the confetti fluttered down and the crown was placed on my head, I realized that I had accomplished one of my big dreams. This was the first step in realizing another big dream of mine — becoming Miss America! The excitement of being named Miss Oklahoma was matched only by the joy in knowing that my family was there, sharing in this moment of victory and opportunity. My parents, David and Kathy, joined me on stage. Proudly standing beside them was my birth mother, Tammi. 

There hasn’t been a single moment in my life where I didn’t know about my adoption story. My parents made it a priority to raise me to know and feel proud of my personal history. I grew up feeling like adoption was my superpower. It wasn’t until 4th grade when a boy said to me, “I’m sorry you are adopted,” that I started to doubt my story. 

I learned quickly that not every adoption experience is positive. But I wanted people to see that for my family, adoption was the best option, and it could be positive for others as well. When I graduated from high school, I received a letter and graduation gift in the mail from Tammi. It was our first form of contact, and it took me months to reply. I was scared of saying the wrong thing. I finally wrote back to her and with the encouragement of my parents, we set up a time to meet Tammi in person. 

I often think back to the moment in 2019 when Tammi and I met for the first time. It felt like I had known her my whole life. We laughed, cried and hugged as we reflected on and shared both of our life experiences. I felt like I found a missing piece of myself.  

Not long after we connected, both our families (including her three kids and husband) met and started planning holidays together. Now that I am an adult, I think about my two wonderful moms and the bold and brave decisions they both made. 

Kathy, facing the painful reality of infertility, and Tammi facing an unplanned pregnancy. I learned that my story is not just my story. It is their story, too: my parents, my birth parents, my adopted brother, my half-brothers and my half-sister. God orchestrated this story and had His hand over us all, even during the hard parts.  

Over the past decade, I’ve dedicated my time to being an adoption advocate. From planning events and fundraising drives, to educating more than 11,000 students about adoption, I am just getting started. I am learning so much about the different types of adoption. I have spent time with more than 500 youth in foster care, adoptees, adoptive parents and potential adoptive families. Their stories all drive my passion for my work, both personally and professionally, as I work toward my goal of becoming an Adoption Attorney. 

As Miss Oklahoma, I’m pouring my time into reaching more people and encouraging them to act. I have planned a speaking tour in Oklahoma and started a podcast that shares stories and works to remove stigmas and bust myths people often have that may hold them back from considering adoption. 

Should I be blessed to earn the role of Miss America in January 2025, I will carry my important adoption message onto the national and worldwide stage. I am living proof of the power of adoption! 

Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your story and for encouraging others to open their hearts as foster or adoptive parents. 

Do you have a personal connection to adoption? Share your adoption story by filling out the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s story form.