There are about 130,000 adoptions in the United States each year. To some, that may sound substantial, but when you’re hoping to adopt, it's similar to your chances of winning the lottery and retiring. In addition, the adoption process often consists of a rollercoaster of emotions, legal consultations, formalities, endless paperwork, and yes, adoptions that fall through. Adoption is a marathon, but oh so amazing at the same time.
My husband, Greg and I are one of those grateful parents to have been successful adopting; however, our journey was of course, anything but ordinary. We are among the select few that get to say we have artificial twins.
Whenever I have a conversation with someone new I meet it's common for the topic of children to come up. I always share that I have twins . . . artificial twins.
Ninety percent of the time this leads to strange looks and a variety of questions. I know, I know . . . I don't need to tell new acquaintances the details of my family's life, but yet I do. I do this because why not? What if this simple little story makes a difference in someone's life . . .
Several months ago, I was sitting at a work conference where I began having a fabulous conversation with a young woman. We introduced ourselves and started the dance of asking questions. She asked me if I had children, and I said, yes, I have two eight year olds. Artificial twins that are three weeks apart . . . cue the strange look. They're adopted, I continued to explain. As we were sitting there, she started sharing with me that she was actually considering adoption.
This is why I tell people about my twins.
Here I am in another state, with a female across from me who just shared that she's on the fence about adopting. So why wouldn't I seize this opportunity to share my unbelievable journey with her?
Adoption is a difficult journey that requires resilience, humility and absolutely believing you are meant to be a parent. The outcome is life changing and better than any gift you will ever receive.
My husband, Greg and I are one of those grateful parents to have been successful adopting; however, our journey was of course, anything but ordinary. We are among the select few that get to say we have artificial twins.
Whenever I have a conversation with someone new I meet it's common for the topic of children to come up. I always share that I have twins . . . artificial twins.
Ninety percent of the time this leads to strange looks and a variety of questions. I know, I know . . . I don't need to tell new acquaintances the details of my family's life, but yet I do. I do this because why not? What if this simple little story makes a difference in someone's life . . .
Several months ago, I was sitting at a work conference where I began having a fabulous conversation with a young woman. We introduced ourselves and started the dance of asking questions. She asked me if I had children, and I said, yes, I have two eight year olds. Artificial twins that are three weeks apart . . . cue the strange look. They're adopted, I continued to explain. As we were sitting there, she started sharing with me that she was actually considering adoption.
This is why I tell people about my twins.
Here I am in another state, with a female across from me who just shared that she's on the fence about adopting. So why wouldn't I seize this opportunity to share my unbelievable journey with her?
Adoption is a difficult journey that requires resilience, humility and absolutely believing you are meant to be a parent. The outcome is life changing and better than any gift you will ever receive.
