STALKING A CHINESE ADOPTEE AT WORK

I found a new Chinese adoptee while working AND IT WAS THE COOLEST THING!!!!

For 1. I pretty much stalked them around the winery and struck up conversation every time we 'coincidentally' happened to be in the same area 2. Her parents were super nice and very happy to meet another adoptee and 3. I have never casually met another Chinese adoptee before, especially when they live half way across Canada!

My curiousity started when I first greeted the family. 1st alarm went off when there were two White parents and one Chinese daughter. 2nd alarm went off after some initial casual conversation, I learned they were visiting from Montreal, Quebec. Quebec has a large Chinese adoptee population alongside Ontario, so I definitely thought there could be a likely chance she was adopted. The issue was... how the heck do I ask her such a personal question without sounding like a nosy, rude creep? While they toured the winery I thought of possible ways I could approach her with my question. I didn't want it come across as invasive or rude because I've experienced questions posed like that and it leads to a bad experience. After 'coincidentally' being in the same place as them AKA following them everywhere by being a full-fledged creeper, I started to gauge if they would be welcoming to my question or get offended. They seemed like a nice, friendly and talkative family so I thought I should go for it. I had lost them for a while and stayed by the exit so I could say goodbye to them before they headed back to Quebec. I almost missed them as I took my 112th photo of the day for a guest when I spotted them!! They were already leaving and I thought I should just let them go... BUT NO, I AM NOT LETTING THEM GO! If she was an adoptee, how could I let this opportunity just go?? I literally ran after them and said,

"Excuse me, hello! UHHHHH, I have a question."

"You have a question?" - Father

"Yes! *turns to girl*...... I am adopted, are you adopted too?"

"Yes I am!" - adoptee

"YAY!!! *literally yells*" - Me

*Familiy proceeds to laugh because i'm such a weirdo*

Her name is Sarah and her family lives near Montreal. They enjoy camping and road trips, hence their visit to Mission Hill Winery. She was adopted at the age of 1 from the same Chinese province as me!! How cool!! Her family was so so soooo nice to me and so welcoming and told me that if I ever visit Montreal it would be a pleasure to have me. You aren't going to meet nicer people. I asked Sarah if she was involved in the adoption community online and if she would like to join. We exchanged numbers and I added her to two of the best adoption groups; one is for parents of adoptees and adoptees and one is solely for adoptees. I know she's going to love the groups and hopefully she'll meet some new people. When I joined, I felt so connected. I grew up in Toronto where there was a big group of Chinese adoptees, but even so, everyone has their own experience so it's nice to get a wide-range of stories.

Sarah's parents were really excited to see me and to find out that Sarah and I were adopted from the same province. They took a cute photo of the two of us and we had a good chat! Her father actually asked me if the reason why I was following them around the winery was because I thought she was adopted!!! HAHA HE FIGURED ME OUT!!

This is a good ol' example of getting out of your comfort zone and if you want to do something, do it!! How crazy that the stars lined up and I happened to be working that day and they happened to drop by Mission Hill. No matter where I go, I always meet the most interesting and kindest people! I was happy that I met another welcoming family like mine and I'm excited to open Sarah's world to the online adoption community. Overall, I learned to trust my adoptee-radar and sometimes being creepy and nosy pays off!