Why Did You Adopt? No, Really, WHY?

It's not an uncommon question: "Why did you adopt?" I've been asked so many times that my well-rehearsed answer rolls effortlessly off my tongue. "We fell in love with our son, and we were lucky enough to be chosen to parent him."

This time, the follow up question made me pause "No, REALLY, why did you adopt?" What - was my answer not sufficient?

"What do you mean?" I blinked, thankful I'd put sufficient mascara on that morning for my winces to make an impact.

"Well, why adoption?"

Oh. That question. You meant to ask: Why not biological parenting? Why not adopt a Chia pet? Or a road, since my municipality sees fit to make an adoption plan for them? Why not live child-free? Why not abandon all plans for white picket fences, mortgages, grandkids, and old age security, and head for white sand beaches in the Caribbean, the cold frost of the Arctic, or the sand storms in the Middle East? 

"Uh, because we REALLY REALLY love our son, that's why." I replied, trying not to sound sunburnt, frosty, or parched.

"But.... but why ADOPTION?" she pestered.

I was starting to get annoyed. "Why did you marry Josh?"

"Because I love him, of course!" she smiled a little.

"Right. But why JOSH? Why not your ex, Chris, or Josh's much taller, less husky, better paid, older brother? Or why not remain single?" (Sorry, Josh.)

She smiled a little. "Well, Josh was the one. We just knew it." She was getting googly eyed on me... I was going to lose the point of my conversation. I tried to steer her back on course.

"See? That's why we adopted. We knew it was our path. And when we met our son, we knew he was ours. Others meet after the match is made, and that's as beautiful and romantic and meant-to-be as any Hollywood romance - even yours and Josh's."

Did she get it? I think so. Does it matter? Not a bit. I've answered this type of question before. Someone will pose it again down the road. In the meantime, I'll keep on loving my son. More than any sandy beach or Arctic adventure. I'll love him and his journey more than any other child or any other way we could have built our family. And DEFINITELY more than a Chia pet.