What Do You Think Adoption Means?

Having one kiddo in placement while another kiddo is quickly approaching adoption raises a lot of questions about family and forever.

Today as we workshopped middle names for baby boy as a family, our guy asked questions about adoption. Alan asked, “What do you think adoption means?”

Our guy looked down for a minute and replied, “I think I need to say it as a secret.” He walked over and whispered into my ear: “Love.”

Yes, I began crying immediately.
Yes, I explained that adoption is, in fact, about love—and loss and family and forever and so much more.

But what got me was that his seven year old understanding of what he’s seen and experienced of adoption in our home—as he watches the unconditional love and faithful commitment we have for his (foster) siblings who’ve been adopted into our family—is as simple as one word: “Love.”
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(I’m never one to peddle an overly simplistic “adoption is love” narrative, and I’m also not one to pass over the healing and hope AND LOVE that adoption can offer kids. So don’t @ me, k?✌🏼😚)