I find it rather difficult to accurately describe the feeling of flying across the world to meet your new little brother for the first time, but I will try my best to put it into words...

If I had to pick one thing I am most thankful for that this world has to offer, it would have to be the ability to adopt and be adopted. On February 28, 2010, my life changed forever. My entire family dynamic was interrupted in the best way possible; it was the day I officially gained my brother, Caleb.

My family began the adoption process a little over a year prior, and let me just say; the adoption process is not easy, especially when it comes to international adoption. It involves a plethora of time, money, background checks, and a home study or two. This being said I'd like to give a quick thank you to all of our friends and family that donated their time, money, and efforts in order to make this happen (You guys are the bomb.com).

After about a year, we finally got the call we had been waiting for. It was time to take the 15 hour flight Seoul, South Korea to pick up the little munchkin I would soon call my brother and best friend.

We spent the first part of the week exploring the city and immersing ourselves in Korean culture and cuisine before the big day. That Thursday we caught a cab to Holt Ilsan, the agency that facilitated our adoption. We took an elevator up to the room where we would finally be able to meet my brother and his foster parents. The moment I walked into that room and saw Caleb for the first time was the most surreal moment of my life. A whirlwind of emotion took over my body and all I could think was, "this is my brother". From that moment on he has been the greatest joy of my life.

Caleb is a rambunctious ball of energy that never slows down. He gets annoying and mean just like a biological brother would. He talks back to my parents just like a biological son would. He also gets in trouble just like a biological son would, but he also gives hugs and kisses just as a biological brother and son would. He is not my "adopted brother", he is simply my brother.

When we go out, we sometimes get strange looks and I always wonder what people are thinking. Looking at our family, he sticks out like a sore thumb, but he's just one of us. I look at him and think about how lucky we are to have him in our lives. I look at him and could not imagine my life without him. I look at him and see not only my little brother, but my best friend.