A Happy Mother's Day For Mom Who Adopted — And Her New Daughter

Editor's Note: This story was submitted by Suzanne Leonard, who is a volunteer for Children's Home Society, an adoptee and an adopting parent.

The idea came at the busiest of times. Teresa Bosch was abroad, performing in Oman with the National Symphony Orchestra. Her husband, Michael, was at home in Burke, Virginia, with their three children, Stephen, Julia, and Daniel.

Taking a moment to catch up on news from home, Teresa logged into Facebook and noticed a post about a little girl with a resilient spirit nicknamed “Mei Mei.” This little girl needed a home.

Mei Mei was discovered by a group of American teenagers, previously adopted from China, who returned to the country to volunteer at an orphanage. The teenagers were so moved by this energetic and outgoing little girl who exuded a sweet demeanor despite extensive scaring from severe burns on a significant portion of her body.

Upon returning home, they agreed to find a home for Mei Mei and to raise funds to help a family bring her to America. Here they hoped she could one day lead a normal life. 

That night and the throughout the next day, Teresa could not forget Mei Mei’s picture or her story.

“I didn’t have phone contact with home, but I sent my husband the link,” said Teresa. “He wrote back, ‘Are you saying we should donate or adopt her? Either way, I’m in.’”

At the time, the Bosch family was not considering adopting. They had one son, Stephen, and also had previously adopted both Julia and Daniel from Korea. They were aware of the challenges of building a family through adoption and also knew the love and happiness it can bring.

“I feel incredibly blessed to experience motherhood both ways,” Teresa said.

Regarding Mei Mei, Teresa was still wondering what to do. She sent her husband another email.

“I can’t shake the feeling…that the world would be a better place if I had a little bit less and she had a little bit more,” she wrote.

To which Michael replied, “If we had her, we’d all have a little bit more.”

Three-year-old Mei Mei, now named Sarah, joined her new family in Burke last September. After seven months of loving care by her family and generous, specialized treatment free of charge at Shriner’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, she is thriving. Through her treatments she has gained the ability to walk. She has mastered English and started preschool.

According to Teresa, “now we all have a little bit more.”

Whether through international or domestic adoption, there are many children ready to share their love with a mother like Teresa this Mother’s Day. To find out more about international or local adoption or foster care, consider attending the Adoption Fair, being held May 31 in Oakton, Virginia.

The fair will bring together the Children’s Home Society and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, a lawyer with experience in private adoption, and Fairfax County Foster Care. It is a fantastic resource for answering any adoption or foster care questions. The event is completely free and child care will be provided.

Adoption Fair Details: May 31, 2014, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax (2709 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton, VA 22124). Go to www.chsfs.org/adoptionfairdc to learn more or register for the event.