​"I was born in Vietnam during the war and placed in an orphanage until my biological father - an American soldier - adopted me and brought me to live in the U.S. I was immediately embraced and loved by my new family, so being adopted was not a big deal or a big reveal. It was something that everyone and I knew and talked about. It was just a piece of my journey.

 

My biggest concern was a perceived, misguided notion of family reunification with my birth mother. We exchanged letters until my 30s, but I was very happy with my adopted mother/family and didn't see a need to meet my biological mother. Looking back, I did not understand all the details surrounding my international adoption, but I also don't necessarily need to learn more. 

 

I love my family, and I learned that family is the most important thing. It is the thing I hold most dear."                                                           - Ly