Are you adopted? Here’s What Adoption Means to Me | National Adoption Day, from a South Korean adoptee.
What Adoption Means to Me | National Adoption Day
Once Upon a Time, there was a baby girl born in far away land called Seoul, South Korea. Small, helpless, and unaware, this baby had no inclination of how precarious her life was. Her future was uncertain and held in the hands of 2 unmarried teenagers. What would become of this baby girl’s fate?
This is no fairy tale. This is my adoption story. National Adoption Day is coming this Saturday, November 21st, and in celebration of a day that holds a special place in my heart, I am sharing what adoption means to me. Grab your cup of coffee and pull up a chair as we dive into my past (being 100% REAL here, folks) and what it means to me today.
Love
I think my adoption gives me a whole new definition of the word love. Unfortunately, I didn’t fully grasp just how much I was loved until I became a parent myself.
My parents loved me before they even knew me or met me or even fathomed what I was like. They loved me the moment a picture of me was placed in their hands. They loved me the moment they saw my plane landed. They loved me through all of the screaming as I adjusted to American life. They loved me through the years as my personality grew and changed. They loved me just as their own children. They still do. It’s a love that I can fully appreciate now as an adult.
Challenges
I would be lying if I said that being adopted was all “roses.” Growing up in a town with a very small population of Asians definitely made my features stand out. Needless to say, there were some pretty awful folks in my childhood that would remind me just how different I was all through life.
I struggled through times of acceptance with my family, knowing that I was completely “different” from them, wondering if I would ever fit in with the family dynamic. There were times when I wondered what life would be like in Korea. But I wouldn’t take back any of those challenges. They helped shape me into the person I am today.
Hope
Adoption gives me the hope of being an amazing parent, just like my parents. Adoption gives me the hope of one day adopting a child of my own. Adoption gives me the hope that my story could affect someone else’s adoption story. Adoption gives me hope in the world, in family, in love. Perhaps that’s why I’m so passionate about adoption. I am an adoption success story.
As National Adoption Day approaches, I a reminded how important family is to me. Everyone has a different family story. Adoption is something that I am proud of, that gives me character, and provides the unique opportunity to share with my children just how blessed we are as a family. The American family has changed so much over the years. In fact:
- One in 12 married couples in the U.S. are interracial [1]
- Nearly 40% of children don’t live with both of their biological parents. Only 62% of children live with their two biological parents [2]
- More than 1.5 million American families [3] have been touched by adoption
[1] https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2012/02/16/the-rise-of-intermarriage/
[2] https://ncfmr.bgsu.edu/pdf/family_profiles/file139447.pdf
[3] 2010 U.S. Census
Just like the American family, Honey Maid has also evolved over the past 90 years. From classic grahams to Teddy Grahams, Honey Maid’s wholesome products are made with whole grains and real honey, without high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors, and are wholesome snacks families can agree on for any occasion.
Eating Honey Maid Grahams brings me back to childhood. We always dipped ours in a jar of good ole’ peanut butter. Amazing, right? Using my graham as a scoop, I remember how much I loved this snack, even when challenges came my way. Honey Maid brings wholesome family connections that we can all appreciate, no matter how different our families are.
Today, I celebrate adoption and National Adoption Day. Sharing my story, looking through pictures, remembering my childhood, and eating a delicious snack with my kids, I am smiling ear to ear as I relive those moments that define who I am. Adoption is not only part of me, it is me. And it’s a legacy I am proud to share with my family.
How has adoption touched your life?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more of my family moments, recipes, crafts and travel.
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Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
What a great story you shared. I literally don’t know anyone who was adopted or adopted themselves.
Pam says
Thanks for sharing your adoption story! I think adoption can be so beautiful, and I love that there is a day dedicated to spreading awareness of it and sharing the stories of adoptees.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Thank you so much for sharing this. I think adoption is such a wonderful thing. It brings families together where there wouldn’t otherwise be one.
Betsy Segars says
I love learning about others adoption stories. My father was adopted and it’s been fun tracing his past!
Rachelle says
Thanks so much for sharing your story with me! Adoption is such a wonderful thing to be a part of!
Amber Ludwig says
This is just absolutely amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing your story!! I hope you one day adopt a child as well!! We all know there are just so many kids to love out there!!
Liz Mays says
Adoption is such a beautiful thing. It’s incredible that you’re able to pass on your adoption story like this.
Karen R says
Thank you for sharing your story. My sister and her hubby adopted two beautiful girls from China. The extended family loves them to pieces.
Valerie says
Thank you for sharing your adoption story! It sounds like you were very blessed.
Sarah H (@East9thStreet) says
I was also born in Seoul, South Korea and was adopted when I was 9 months old. I grew up in a town of 12,000 people so besides me, there was one other Asian kid in my grade. There aren’t any records of who my birth parents were and I’m perfectly fine with that. For some reason, I’ve never wanted to find them. I think adoption is an amazing thing and one that is definitely becoming more common.
christie says
Thanks for sharing your adoption story too, Sarah!
Susan Hartman says
I was blessed to raise 2 wonderful children, 1 biological and 1 adopted. I am so thankful for having both of them.
Chasing Joy says
I am really enjoying these adoption month posts. I like reading about your experience being adopted.
Raijean says
I’m all about adoption, I’m a product of the system! This is such a great initiative.
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
I have a family that is adopted. I think she feels a void since she never found her bio parents.
Cindy S. says
What a beautiful story. How wonderful that you were raised by two amazing, loving parents. Genetics aren’t important. It is love that makes a family.
Penny Olson says
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s important to talk about adoption.
Sarah L says
I’m grateful to the parents who adopt children and to the children for what they grow into.
Katy says
Thank you so much for sharing your story! What a beautiful example of how love is so big! We had a very hard time conceiving and started to look into adoption or fostering children. I never cared if The baby or child was birthed by me, I just wanted children in my life! I met a ton of families who were so wonderful about telling me the good, bad and miraculous adoption stories it gave me so much hope. Interestingly enough, the weekend we finished our paperwork to be considered for fostering or adopting I found out I was pregnant. This time it stuck and I have an amazing two year old daughter. I am missing the baby days now, though and we’ve been trying to have another. I love knowing that even if I can’t conceive there are options out there that can benefit our family and the children, too!
christie says
Lovely story, Katy! Thanks for sharing
Theresa says
What a lovely story! Thanks for sharing it! My sister gave her baby boy up for adoption, and now 2 people we would have never met before are now part of our family. They make sure we are all able to get to know my nephew, even though his mom wasn’t in a position to care for him herself. Adoption is such a beautiful thing!
Anonymous says
I’ve always been sorry that I was not an adoptee. That way, I could have been sure I was really wanted and loved. I grew up in my biological family. When I was 21, my dad told me that I’d never given him anything to love me for, since I was a baby. I’m 61 now, and dad has been gone 15 years, but those words still sting, after 40 years. Lucky you, you KNOW you were loved!!!
christie says
I’m so sorry to hear this. I pray that you find peace!