Family is Family
Everyone has a different opinion on what the definition of family is and who is actually a family member. I was adopted and have grown up knowing it my whole life. I remember growing up when people at school would find out and they would say " So your mom and dad aren't your real mom and dad?" It made me so angry because YES they are my real mom and dad and NO we are not biologically related. I also cannot tell you how many people I have met over the years who say that they could never love an adopted child the same because it "isn't really their own". Hate to break it to you, but my parents love me more than anything and we wouldn't change our situation for anything.
(This is a picture of me and my parents at my UF graduation last December)
Another thing that I hold close to me is the idea of "voluntary kin". I am an only child (although biologically I have two older brothers.. I just don't know who they are!) and I always wanted to have a brother. Long story short when I was in 6th grade my class adopted a soldier to send packages and letters to. I was the only student who continued to write and send packages, and when our soldier returned home he made a trip to Florida to meet me and my mom. We all ended up forming a special bond and he has always considered me his little sister and my mom his "other mom". He is VERY protective of me and hated every boy I dated, until he met my now husband! I believe that "choosing your family" is the best thing to do. I have a very small family and without my "voluntary kin" I would be lost.
(This is a picture of my husband (left), me, and my brother Ricky!)
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