author: Breah
It was the summer of 2004; I was your typical five year old girl with a love for chicken nuggets and gymnastics. I had two younger brothers, Jay who was four and Aiden who was one. I can vividly remember that things were starting to be different around the house, like something was about to happen. My parents were spending countless hours on the computer, filling out paper work, and leaving us with our grandparents to attend weekly “meetings” as my brothers and I were told.
Then one day, our parents took us on a weekend trip to Chicago, Illinois. It was on this trip that my parents told us that we would be adding to our family through adoption. At the time I really didn’t understand it; I was confused but always felt safe with my parents’ decisions and because of my trust in them, I knew everything would work out. My mom then showed us a small photo album containing pictures of a very small baby who had been through open heart surgery with pictures that were labeled “Child 103- 71″. My brothers were so young they didn’t seem to understand, but I on the other hand was fascinated from the start. As a five year old I remember asking question after question such as ” Why does he look different?”, ” When will he be at our house?”, “Where is he at?”, “What is his name?” and so on. The weekend trip came to an end and before I knew it we were back home in Celina, Ohio.
I started kindergarten and also started to learn things that most five year olds don’t know…. like what a social worker is, where South Korea is, and that some women have babies and can’t take care of them. I was forced to grow up very fast; by my sixth birthday, I already had two younger brothers and one that I was about to fly half way across the world to meet in three months; his name was Seung Joon Ha.
I came home from kindergarten on a snowy March day and my Mom was home packing. She then said that our agency had called her and it was the moment we had been waiting for 9 months ago. Seung Joon Ha’s name was changed to Alex Joseph Anderson. We left the next day for a 13 hour flight which seemed like a week! Little did I know this trip would change me forever. I know some people say, ” You were only six years old, how could it change you?” My response is, ” Trust me… it’s possible. A trip to South Korea is a trip you will never forget.”
During this trip I learned more about life, family, and the importance of God than I ever would have learned had I been in room K-1 that week. I may have been missing snack time, recess, and reading but my parents and I made the most out of our journey in Korea. We spent hours in the orphanage Eastern Social Welfare Society holding and feeding babies. Some healthy and others extremely sick; there was so many babies and not enough nannies to take care of them. I remember asking why some of the babies had tape on their pacifiers. My Mom’s answer made me sad. When the babies would cry, there was not always someone to take care of them. The older babies had learned not to cry. It was disturbing and I remember asking my Dad why they didn’t have parents and he replied, “Breah they will always have God as their father.” I now understand what my Dad meant but that day as a six year old, I didn’t understand. There were several families there just like us. Some from the United States and others from Australia.
My new brother wasn’t there… he was at a foster home. His foster parents were nice but he was living without running water and their house was so small and unsafe. He however didn’t seem to mind that was his home and he seemed happy. By the time I met him he’d grown so much, he wasn’t the little baby labeled “103-71″. He was an ornery little boy with a lot of hair and a whole lot of attitude! The night before we left, Alex’s foster parents came to say goodbye. The emotion shared in that room was intense, something I have replayed in my mind over and over. I will never forget his Foster Mother dropping to her knees as the elevator doors closed and thanking my Parents for loving him, knowing she may never see him again. Once again, something most six year olds have never witnessed. But I learned in that moment that Alex was loved and God’s hands were with him at all times. Before we knew it, it was time to go home. I would be lying if I told you the flight home was wonderful. It wasn’t. Alex was missing his foster parents and crying for them. He had gotten sick on the plane and was 18 months old and the last thing he wanted to do was sit quietly with us. Mom and Dad were missing my brothers; it was a long flight.
We arrived at Dayton and our family and friends were there with open arms. Alex was passed around. There were lots of tears, hugs and cameras flashing. Looking back, some people thought our journey ended; it had really only begun. Aiden and Alex sat in their car seats next to each other on the way home that night. From that day, my little brothers have formed the strongest sibling bond. We refer to them as the artificial twins since they are only six months apart and not only brothers but best friends!
Today, I am a typical 13 year old girl who loves sports, running, cheering, hanging out with friends, painting nails, family vacations and I am proud of earning all A’s on my report card. One thing that is not so typical about me is I have a burning desire to share my story with hopes of raising adoption awareness. I want to see children not only find loving parents, but parents find their children. My prayer is that through my platform of “Adoption a Beautiful Option”, I am able to make a difference. Please visit my blog for more information, breaha.blogspot.com
Post note: Breah is selling wristbands as a fundraiser for other families adopting. The wristbands say “ADOPTION” on the front and have her website address on the back. For more information or to purchase one, visit Breah’s blog or e-mail her at breahashtyn@gmail.com. Here is a picture of her brother Alex wearing some:
What a beautiful, well written post, Breah. So many people ask about the biological children in an adoptive family… and what it does to them (expecting only negative answers), but you have answered this question beautifully. May God bless your heart for adoption and see many families become complete because of how you advocate for adoption.
Very well said, Breah. You obviously have written from your heart, and will no doubt encourage and inspire others by sharing your life experience and your heart for adoption.
That is beautiful Breah. I can tell the boys have a Wonderful older Sister
Your story will inspire others to follow their dreams about adoption.
Breah,
Such a wonderful story and extremely well told. You are truly wise beyond your years and full of love.
God bless.
Hi Breah, well written post, entirely touched my heart.
God bless them.