to Seaside from Orlando. The organizations that presented at the FFTA Conference did such a great job in integrating foster youths' perspectives into training for professionals and foster parents. I was so moved by the training materials that Brad Bryant and Michael Johnan presented as part of their Peaople Places, Inc. foster parent training that I cried. They did such a fabulous job of helping someone walk through the shoes of a foster youth. One of the most common questions I was asked at the conference concerned my relationships with foster parents I had had. There was one foster parent couple that changed my life. Although, at the time I didn't know they powerful impact on me they were going to have. When I was in their care, I was so tired of being in the system. I was finished with listening to elders, and I tested them to their limits. But I appreciated them. Despite all of my rebellious behaviors and the countless ways in which I tested their patience, I was grateful for what they were doing. Yet, if you were witnessing the situation unfolding, you would have never been able to tell. My teenage angst brought out my foster mother's frustration and sadness. I tested them because I expected them to fail, and because I had set unrealistic expectations, they did and I was proven right. However, I never showed my gratitude then and never let them know that my vulnerabilities were creating the trials I was putting them through. Eight months after I left their care, I was able to express that I was thankful. Since then, they have been one of the greatest stable forces in my life. I love them both so dearly. They never had a teenager foster youth live with them before me, or after me, but I am so grateful that I was the one they had. But I am so sad that they couldn't have been the same for someone else, but I didn't have the tools to verbalize my struggles then. Now that I have the tools and the strength to let them now why and how I am weak, we have a great and honest relationship. Every time I visit New Jersey, I stay with them. They became my permanence. They may never be my parents, but I am so proud that I can say that they were once my foster parents.