When you decide to adopt, you wait and wait for the call that you have been matched with a child. You never know when it's going to happen and for one local mom, her daughter arrived on Christmas Eve, making it an extra special holiday that year. This is Nhalani's success story.
Life for mom Michelle is just so much more fun these days with her precious four-year-old daughter Nhalani now the center of her world.
"Your life completely changes, that's true, especially if you've been on your own for a long time and all of a sudden this person's there 24/7," explained Michelle. "It's an incredible adjustment, but in a very good way. I'm very excited and happy about the way my life has changed."
Michelle says she'd always wanted to open her home to a child in need.
"From when I was a teenager, I remember being interested in adopting."
Michelle's dream finally came true on Christmas Eve 2009. Nhalani was a true gift.
"The first few days is just the tip of the iceberg because it just gets more and more wonderful. As you get to know the child and you build that relationship, it's almost like I didn't quite know what I had," Michelle continued. "Even though it was Christmas, the package is something that I've been opening for a year and a half now."
Nhalani's adoption was finalized about three months ago, and Michelle says their bond continues to grow stronger with each passing day.
"It's been a wonderful experience of things I imagined and things I couldn't imagine, of just all the personal growth I've had in learning about being a parent to her," Michelle added. "She's incredibly affectionate and loving. She did come from a background of having many, many placements, so she came with her own anxiety and I had my own anxiety of being a new parent. We've really learned to be with each other and help each other out."
Michelle, who's a single mom, says she is also grateful for the support and services provided by San Diego County Adoptions and encourages others to learn more about the process that has transformed both her life, and her little girl's.
Additionally, Nhalani is also in contact with her biological father. Michelle feels that's important for her daughter.
If you are interested in adopting from foster care, or becoming a foster family, call 1-877-I-ADOPT-U to learn more about getting started or go to their website to take that first step and fill out an adoption form.