Mia's Story
By Michael & Abby K
My wife has always referred to our family’s creation as “a miracle added to the miracle.” For years we had tried to have children on our own, inevitably turning to medical science to help us conceive. That journey was one, complete with its own rich set of circumstances, emotions and experiences. So too is our adoption story.
Three years ago we made the decision to complete our family through adoption. It seems we’ve been blessed with having made the right decision, two times. To call adoption a ‘process’ is almost discrediting. Rather, it is a life-changing journey, made up of a series of events that we would never trade for the world. Our daughter was at the end of that journey, and we are so thankful for this. For those who consider adoption but have second thoughts, you are not alone. My wife and I went through very different experiences in coming to terms with adoption. For my wife, it was about not having to endure the mental and physical hardships of assisted reproduction again, and a wonderful way to have the family we wanted so much. For me, it was coming to terms with bringing a child in to our family who was not biologically ours, and the questions surrounding this decision: “Would I feel a bond to her as much as I do with my son? Would I be able to love her like my son? Would she be accepting of us? Would this really work for our family?” In the end, the most brilliant revelation to me was that there truly was, and still is, no difference in how we feel about our children. We love both of them equally, and as our most cherished gifts. Each child has a story about his and her beginnings that is profound, unique, and precious. We hope that with this knowledge, each will be as proud of who they are, as much as we are of them!
Our daughter was born in Jiangxi Province, China. The trip to China, the camaraderie of the families with whom we traveled, the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and smells of her birth country, the bonds which we formed with other adoptive families during the journey and since, are all immeasurable. It is an experience which, if one chooses to adopt from China, cannot be overlooked. By traveling to China, our daughter’s history with us started in her land, and we are honored and humbled to have met her there. To know the people, to have seen the country and heard the language, to have been so close to our daughter’s humble beginnings made it to our list of life’s most treasured experiences. To have been away from our son and families was also one of the hardest things we’ve ever had to do, but oh... was it worth it!
Looking at our family today, we are happy to say that it is thriving. Our son and daughter are best friends, companions, and all told, really love each other’s company, (in spite of having to share each other’s toys!) Our daughter has adjusted very nicely to “life in the States”, though it is our intent to someday take a family trip back to China, to ensure that China stays a part of all of our lives. We have been enriched through adoption. We often chuckle when people proclaim “what a good thing we’ve done” by adopting our daughter. Though we are flattered by the comment, we have to laugh because it is she, and not us, who has been the source of so much “good” in our lives.