Taiwan, Day 3: Taichung

Willa met her birth family today for the first time since she was adopted as a baby. There has been so much anticipation of this moment that it was hard to believe it was actually here.

I asked Willa what she wanted to share on this family journal, if anything, about the experience, as it's her story to tell, and the parts she wanted to share are below.

We met at the adoption agency for an hour and then went to lunch at a nearby restaurant. The agency's fantastic facilitator translated for us.

Willa looks just like her beautiful birthmom, and we can see how Willa will look when she's older. They smile the same. They sat in the exact same way. There were other discoveries too. Willa's birthmom's favorite activity is shopping and that is what Willa is always asking to do. Her birthmom also adores stuffed animals and anyone who has seen Willa's room knows she does too. Willa loves fishing like her birth grandpa. Willa's latest most-requested food is shrimp and her uncle loves it so much he is part of a local shrimp association.

We exchanged gifts and they showered Willa with presents. They gave her a stuffed turtle from Finding Nemo, Dumbo, and Totoro (and they gave a Totoro to Jia too)! Willa was also given a beautiful blanket handmade by her 95-year-old great grandma.

 

Willa loves being cozy and whenever she's home, she walks around wrapped up in a cuddly blanket. Apparently her birthmom does too as she gave Willa a blue monster wrap similar to the one that she wears at home.

At lunch, they ordered hot pot for us and many, many other delicious items. Her birth grandma and mom taught Willa how to properly use chopsticks. We all showed each other pictures on our phones and chatted about our families. We shared how much pride Willa has in being Taiwanese and how she wants to come back often. There were overwhelming sentiments of love and gratitude all around.

Learning how to use chopsticks the right way.

After our long drive to Taichung from Taipei, just before we arrived at the agency, our fabulous driver Mr. Yeh stopped and bought the girls some pastries.  He always knows exactly what people need. They were fish-shaped pastries, some filled with red bean paste and others with custard. Willa said they were like the filled ebelskivers we make at home - she was exactly right. Yummy and perfect for the time.

After meeting her family, we then visited Willa's foster mom at the house where Willa lived before we adopted her. Her foster mom is a delightful, cheery woman who fostered kids for ten years. She remembered Willa right away and said she was a happy, easy baby. Willa loved seeing the rolling bassinet that was just like the one she slept in as a baby.

 

We then checked into our hotel in Taichung. The girls had pent-up excitement and let off their energy in the pool. They also got a kick out of the "no durian" sign on our room door.

Afterward, I asked Willa how she felt about meeting her family and she said it was awesome and enchanted like a dream come true. She is surrounded by love and we are thrilled she can feel it.