Everyone has been touched by international adoption.

International Adoption is an amazing culmination of events. Adoption from countries like Russia, China, Guatemala, Ukraine and Kazakhstan all result in children and parents coming together to become a family with the help of an adoption agency or service.

Couples who feel called to adoption. Some struggle for years with infertility and treatments, many feel a burning desire to become mom or dad and others are drawn to the inspirational opportunity to provide for a child.

Each of us takes a slightly different path to adoption. Some a decisive journey, others a twisting path of growth and discovery and others an accidental visit to a web site.

Chinese adoption stories often mention an ancient proverb. "An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break."

Many people come to international adoption because of friends, acquaintances and coworkers. Many people's journey involves infertility. Some have an unexplained desire to adopt internationally. But all come with an open heart, ready for the unknown and full of love.

At a recent dinner at a Chinese restaurant with friends who had adopted from China, a new father made the observation that no matter what effort and energy went in to an international adoption, all children of foreign adoption are loved.

Whether a gay adoption, single adoption or a married couple, the more people that love you the better. And that is what adoption is; bringing people together to love each other.