The Moment I Became Moana Mom

This blog post will probably be my longest one.

This post will introduce you to who I am.

This post will explain to you how I became Moana Mom.

Growing up a Disney kid, my parents took us to Walt Disney World every other year. My sister and I were raised by the wise words of Walt Disney, "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them". My parents believed in these words and provided us with a ‘Magical‘ childhood to believe in our dreams too!

So, let's go back to a HUGE dream that occurred many years ago...

It's 1995. I am 15 years old. I am watching a softball game of the cutest little girls. Up comes to bat, the most adorable Asian child who swung and missed every pitch. The coach had to have pitched her 13 balls. She missed every single one! But the smile on her face was the size of Texas! As the game came to a close, she walked off the field to her parents and something ignited in my soul.

I turned to my father and said "When I'm older, I'm going to adopt Asian orphans."

I don't think he nor I realized in that moment that those words were my destiny.

Fast forward to 2012...

In February 2012, I told my parents on vacation in California that I was going to adopt. Where did I tell them? Right smack dab in the middle of Main Street USA in Disneyland!

I also vowed at that very moment that I was giving up all things Disney until my daughter was home!

Two months later, I was being interviewed by my social worker to adopt from China in April, 2012. The social worker asked me why I wanted to adopt and I repeated the story about the softball game 17 years prior. My father was sitting in the room during the interview and said "I remember that day" and there was silence. That day had not been brought up since it happened. Yet, somehow it was burned in our minds. Tears filled my eyes because at that moment I realized that God had determined my path so many years ago. And for my Dad, he was the witness to the original calling. The calling that truly would be the most amazing miracle to ever happen in my life.

I would wait another 3 years before I was matched with my daughter. Yes, you read that right! Three years I waited. Those 3 years were dark. They were rough. I cannot tell you how many nights I cried myself to sleep, begging God to let us find each other. I wish I had someone to talk to during those years that understood what an emotional process waiting truly was. Not to mention all the paperwork! If you want to know more about my adoption process, or are in process and want to chat and/or cry, feel free to contact me! I've been there and trust me all of your emotions are 110% normal!

Three years and one month, from that initial interview, I got the call that I was matched with my daughter. Six more months after that call, we traveled to China.

In 2015, I traveled across the world to a province in China. I stood in a room waiting with other families. I watched every one of them meet their children all at once. Then, one by one, they all left with their children. My daughter was coming from a more remote town compared to the others so she was delayed in making it on time. As I look back now, I realize God made her late on purpose. He wanted us to have an empty room to have our moment.

When we got the call she'd be there shortly, I walked into a side room and told my parents I wanted them to stand at the entrance. I wanted them to see her first. I needed them to see her first. My heart yearned to have them understand how much I loved them for supporting me on this journey. I wouldn't have had that moment if it wasn't for them. I cannot put into words what it means to have parents that support you in all aspects of life. Typing this, right now, I have tears streaming down my face. They are AMAZING. I wouldn't be where I am or who I am if it wasn't for their unconditional love.

I remember my Mom saying, "She's Here!" and watched her start to weep tears of joy.

My childhood dream was about to become a reality.

I took a deep breath.

Rounded the corner, walked in the most beautiful little miracle I had ever seen...MY DAUGHTER!

She was so shy and unemotional. I think back now at how hard I had to work to get her to smile those first couple weeks in China. She had never seen a foreigner before let alone understood what all was happening. It took awhile for her to trust me but by the time we were on that LONG flight back home to the States, we were besties. She wouldn't leave my side and the smiles were endless.

To this day, her smile lights up a room. I don't remember life before her. It feels like she’s been with me forever. And the rest of my days on this earth, I will constantly strive to be the best Mommy ever to her! I'm so thankful for every day we spend together since that very first day we became a forever family.

She is my world.

She is my life.

She is my purpose.

She is my Happily Ever After.

The line where the sky met the sea in another country, it called me. I answered the call and became a true voyager in adoption.

So, that's the shortened version of how I became Moana Mom.

You don't know someone's story unless you ask. You don't know how tough their journey was if you don't ask. You will never know what drives a person in life, until you ask. Asking questions will help you understand a person at their core. So before you judge, ask! You may be surprised and inspired by their journey.

Clearly, my daughter is my inspiration. My drive? To share the love of something that taught me at a young age that dreams really do come true. Disney played so many important roles in different parts of my life that I will be sure to share with you along the way.

So, please stand clear of the doors and sit back and relax and join us on the ride of our Ohana voyages!

Stay tuned...

#adoptionrocks #adoption #believeinyourdreams #dreamscometrue #foreverfamily #themoanamom #disneyblogger #disneyblog