“Yes, I Am Adopted” 

“Yes, I am adopted”. I always said I needed a tee shirt with this phrase on it. You wouldn’t believe the amount of encounters I’ve had where people truly did not believe I was adopted because I look like my dad. For any of you who DO NOT KNOW…”yes I am adopted” and I feel so blessed to live this life.

November is national adoption month. This is a more personal post than my usual “must have items” and “diy projects” BUT this month runs dear to my heart for obvious reasons.

When I was three weeks old, my amazing and wonderful parents welcomed me into their family. I was a olive complected, crazy haired baby who loved to eat (nothing has changed) and nap (ONLY) on my momma. Although I have no recollection of this time, my parents said I was very vocal for being a newborn. For those of you that know me, are you surprised?

Anyhow, my parents picked me up on a cold February night back in ’93. Backtrack a little, my parents were told they were getting a baby 24 HOURS BEFORE THEY GOT ME. Yes, they had 24 hours to prepare for their new bundle of joy. They had no idea what they were up against and certainly needed more time to prepare for me. Thanks to the efforts of my grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends, my parents were able to get completely ready for my arrival…or so they thought;)

My mom told me a few weeks ago that when they pulled up to the adoption facility to pick me up, the nun who was caring for me pulled up as well. The nun got me out of the car with a blanket over my carseat so my parents and family members would not see me. My mom recently told me when she saw me get out of the car, she thought to herself, “oh my gosh…that’s my baby in that carseat”. It’s so surreal to think that this is how we became a family.

I was quite cranky when they met me for the first time. They quickly realized that it was 6:00 PM and I hadn’t eaten. Not much has changed. “Hangry” is a real thing, y’all! Once I was fed, I was calm, cool and collected. We took loads of pictures with all of my family who came to meet me. The first picture we have as a trio is my most favorite. It’s a true candid moment of the joy my parents had welcoming me into their lives.

My parents say that my adoption was the best day of their lives. Little did they know…it was the best day of my life too. They waited only thirteen months for a baby when many wait years. It was God’s hand that placed us together. I look and act just like my Dad and I have my mom’s cleaning, planning and organization skills. I always say we were a match made in heaven placed together on Earth.

God has a mysterious way of working things out. I couldn’t imagine living life any other way. I often pray for my biological family and hope they are able to cope with this and live a happy and normal life- just as I have. My parents chose a closed adoption for reasons which they felt best. This is something I have always believed in. As an adult, I have chosen to have no contact with my biological family for reasons which I feel are best for me.

Adoption is a beautiful thing. It’s proof that God’s divine intervention and mercy is REAL and present. It’s proof that family is beyond blood. Absolutely everyone I love with all my heart is not biologically related to me. I often feel unworthy to live this amazing life and catch myself saying “how did I get so lucky” more times than not.

For any of you in the adoption process, do not give up. God’s timing-not ours. For those of you feeling a calling to be adoptive parents, follow your heart.  I’m biased, but the wait is TOTALLY worth it.