CEO and Founder of Act of Love Adoption Agency, Kathy Kunkel, had the distinct pleasure of meeting and talking with Nia Vardalos at the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys Conference in San Diego, California. Ms. Vardalos captivated the audience at the conference, as she shared her adoption story through the discovery of foster-to-adopt. Her instant motherhood to a beautiful young girl came after a short fourteen hour wait. She tells about believing she would one day be a mom; her struggles with infertility; to her realization of becoming a mom. Her eyes lit up as she told the story of bringing home her beautiful young daughter and the “instant” love she felt for her daughter. The complete and genuine love that she has for daughter was evident as she shared her story.
Vardalos filled the conference room with laughter and tears as she recounted the humble beginnings of her career in Canada, finding and marrying her husband Ian Gomez and finally the beautiful adoption of her daughter. She tells about the inspiration behind Instant Mom and her realization of her motherhood dream.
Instant Mom will keep you laughing and crying as you flip through the pages that will inspire new moms and dads to find innovative ways to overcome new parenthood challenges. Vardalos shares, “Some families are created in different ways but are still, in every way, a family.” She motivates others to realize that whether through biology or adoption true joy is found in motherhood. Vardalos emphasized that being a mother and loving your child are natural and the love she felt was abundant.
She lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband and daughter; continues her career along with motherhood and shares her new passion for adoption advocacy. Vardalos shared with Ms. Kunkel that she is a very private person and wants to keep her daughter’s life protected and private, but she also wants to help as many kids find a family as she can. She talked about being able to protect her family while also helping others realize the dream of a family. The love she has for her daughter was evident as she shared her personal adoption journey.
Vardalos genuinely thanked and applauded all adoption professionals that make adoption a reality and for helping many families come together. She shared with Kathy about her true joy and passion to tell her adoption story in hopes to help educate the world on adoption and foster-to-adopt programs. “When we were matched with our daughter and I became a ridiculously, gushingly happy mom, it dawned on me–I think I’m supposed to be using my big mouth to talk about adoption. “ It is her hopes that Instant Mom will be a resource and provide information to adoptive families adopting through the foster care system, domestic and international adoptions and help them to navigate through the process and have a positive adoption experience.
Whether you are a brand new adoptive parent or a seasoned parent, you will enjoy this humorous and informational book. Enjoy a good summer read and get your copy of Instant Mom from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Sources:
https://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=2440