I've not read tft, but I do want to say, there's a woman who kind of took me on as her own (I was older than your kids, as I was 17 when she kind of picked me up and showed me the way)
I had a horrific childhood, really I did, and as I get older. The more I see it.
I was basically left to it at the age of 17, having had a baby myself, and I was tossed out, and I had to make my own way.
She came along, and she showed true care, and compassion for the fact that id never really seen anything other than dysfunction....she's always been there like a mum to me.
Now I'll get to the point. I see her more as a mother because she didn't have to be, but she kind of took me on, and guided me jn the right direction. I love her far more than I probably would have if we were biologically related.... on some level the one person we expect to love us are those biologically related to us, not those who stumble upon us somehow (not saying you stumbled upon yours, I know it's hard to adopt!)
It's a beautiful thing you've done, it's awful she said something like that. Not sure where that line of thinking would have even originated!
Lots of love to your family. Don't let the ignorant upset you. X