It seems to me, that in every person’s life, there is a moment that changes you. For me, this moment was on June 30th, 2008. Before I can explain my life-changing moment, I have to go back to when it began. It all started when I was 8 years old. I was an only child and my parents and I decided that we wanted to add on to our family. We decided it was time to adopt.

I remember it like it was yesterday; how my parents asked me what I thought about adoption. That’s how it began. We started the adoption process. Interviews, house visits from social workers, and lots of paperwork followed. It was slightly overwhelming. We waited and waited for what seemed like forever.

After two and a half years, we finally got what is called a referral. We learned about the sweet little girl who would be joining our family. We found out that she was 3 years old and we learned her name. There were three pictures attached. I couldn’t believe my eyes. This stranger was going to be a part of my family soon. A couple of months after that, we boarded the plane to head to Beijing, China. I was nervous and excited.

The day my life changed was hot. We traveled in a bus with lots of people to go pick up our new family members. It was surreal. When we got to the hotel we were taken to a medium sized room where we all waited for what seemed like a painfully long time. Finally, the girls started being brought in. Most of them were babies. I have never been surrounded by so much chaos. The babies were crying and the air made it hard to breathe. It all stopped the moment they brought her in; that was when my life changed. She was wearing a tattered old pink gown, and her hair was in pigtails. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. She cried and kicked and screamed when my parents held her. I was afraid to hold her, afraid that she would never like me. I reached my arms out anyways, and as soon as she was secured in my arms, the tears stopped. That was the moment that I knew that I would love this girl forever and that we would be best friends.

I’ve heard various opinions on adoption. Many people say things like, “It’s not the same.” or “They wouldn’t be mine.” The word family is defined as “a group consisting of parents and children living together”. When I hear people tell me that adopted children are not real family, it breaks my heart because blood does not make a family. It’s all about the bond.

The relationship I formed with my sister is one even stronger than what I would have with a biological sibling. I don’t take my sister for granted (most of the time). I spent 11 years of my life waiting to not be lonely, waiting for a best friend. God delivered. He gave me someone that I love and cherish so much. She doesn’t feel like family, she is family. She is mine just as much as a biological sibling would be. The love I feel for her is infinite.

Adoption changed my life, and I will always be thankful.