Adopted Plus Three

This March, on 3/3/13, we celebrated three years of adoption.  The way my not-quite-so-little family has come together has happened exactly as it should.  Charlie was meant to be in our family.  He is my oldest, my first son, and has taught me so much about myself and life and love.

Adoption is not easy.  It packs a ton of challenges and questions and doubts.  It means that you invite a whole other family inside of your own.  In a case like ours, adoption can introduce parenting challenges that you didn't even know existed... that most people still don't know exist... and I find myself walking a tightrope between my desire to share our path for education and my need to protect my son's current and future privacy.

Overwhelmingly, adoption is a blessing.  Charlie and his biological sister made me a mom for the very first time.  Because of that my connection to them both will always be strong, and they hold a place inside of me that no other can take.  Sure, it's challenging and there are days that I question my own abilities.  I am grateful for the moments where I can step back, see progress, and trust that this work is important. And have faith that I will be the best mom that I can be to Charlie, and that our future relationship will be positive and strong.

Charlie is a bright kid.  And I don't mean just intellectually.  Charlie's personality is bright too.  He has the best and biggest smiles that literally light up a room.  And my two biological miracles light right up when they see it.  Seeing all three of my children and their mutual love is a sight for which I have yet to find words.

Adoption, more than anything else, brings love.  The opportunity to love another mother's child is probably the greatest gift I have been given.  I look forward to many more adoption anniversaries and the chance to reflect on our family's journey.