So I was on FB yesterday...

and I was chatted up by someone I barely knew in high school.  She started asking about my brothers (because she had a crush on every single one) and then she asked about my family and if Emmie was my only child.  This seemed like a good opportunity to share that our daughter is adopted and that we are hoping to adopt again.  When I mention those things a good adoption coversation usually follows.  Sometimes awkward, sometimes interesting, and sometimes really positive.  I always just hope that I've changed a person's mind for the better or reinforced their positive feelings toward adoption. 

Our conversation went like this:
Interesting Person: Is she your only child?
ME: Yes, but we are hoping to adopt our second.  Emmie is also adopted.
Interesting Person: Why not have your own?
ME: Can't. But believe me our daughter couldn't be any more ours than she is. 
Interesting Person: Why can't you?
ME (Really surprised that "can't" isn't explanation enough): Infertility reasons
Interesting person: Is your daughter yours? (Even though I already explained that earlier)
ME: Yes she is.  We adopted her. 
Interesting Person:  Oh.  Good for you. 
ME: We are just happy to have a family.
Rest of convo simmered out and came to an end pretty quickly. 

I share this for a few reasons.  One, this is a typical conversation.  I have engaged in many of them and am happy to continue them my whole life.  Two, she mentioned some things most people don't realize are incorrect or not very "politically correct".  Most people would never ask why someone can't have biological children unless they really want you to tell them something they may be struggling with or they want to know if it is you or your husband who has the "problem".  Also, without thinking about it, many people think of adopted children as not really the children of the adoptive parents, that their birth parents are the "real" parents.  Things people say that aren't necessarily offensive, but good opportunities to educate others and to remind them that adoption isn't a second rate option to have a family.  I am happy I chatted with "Interesting Person" because maybe she will tell one of her friends about adoption or even about us since we hope to adopt again! 

Which reminds me!  THANK YOU to Barret and Charmain for posting a "Hoping to Adopt" button on their family's blog telling everyone they know to check out our adoption profile!  You have no idea what that means to us.  Who knows - that may lead to something promising and spread awareness.

A second equally heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to Lindsay and Patrick for blogging about adoption on their website even though they are not an adoptive family.  You don't have to be to support it!  They even included an awesome birth mother video.  Thank you so much!  You two may really make a difference in someone's life.