This weekend I was able to witness my parents speak about their life story at the annual A Caring Pregnancy Resource Center banquet. I was so proud of them. I loved hearing their story not only because I was a part of it but because it really is an amazing how our family came to be. Read Our Story for background information on our family.
Adoption is such a beautiful thing.
I was also able to hear another family’s story of their daughter’s adoption. They were truly an inspiration to anyone longing to have a child. The power of prayer was the biggest part of their story and they can even admit that they knew God was telling them it wasn’t their time just yet. They needed to wait for God’s time and God’s way.
This couple had both been through divorces and went through the adoption process to have a child together. After they were able to adopt their daughter they said something along the lines of “we were all unwanted and we came together as a family because we wanted each other.” That is such a relatable statement, we all at some points have been unwanted, as a friend, as a lover, as a student, a co-worker, but then we find those who want us and we stick by them. We are all searching where we belong and where we belong is always with the people who want us.
I cannot imagine my family any other way. I am always proud that my family is unique. That we each found each other because that was how it was meant to be. Unwanted by one person is never unwanted by all.
I see my siblings and it amazes me how much they are like me. My brother Jason acts like I did at his age and it scares me, but it makes me smile because I know it is because we were raised by the same two people. He has traits instilled in him because of our parents. Seeing that makes me know 100% that we all belong to each other as a family.
Family are always the people who choose you and want you.
I was an only child for 14 years before I became a big sister. I grew up longing for a brother or sister to have as a playmate, but I was in high school when it finally happened. I received the gift of two little brothers at once. Whenever I am around my siblings I turn into a kid. I am never to old to stoop down to their level and engage in an “I know you are but what am I” conversation that never ends.
Being a big sister is one of my favorite parts of life. I am always protective of my siblings and I always hope that they will be okay. That they are just as accepting of their adoption as I am. For now I know they are but it is hard not to worry that at one day they will question our family. I have never for one single second questioned my family or wished that it was any other way. I am the way I am because I was an only child for so long and I am the way I am because I became a sister later in life.
Nothing could make me feel differently.
It was hard to find a picture of the 4 of us. This was my college graduation 2011, they are obviously enthused to be there!
