I found Elsie Larson of A Beautiful Mess on Instagram (@elsielarson) on #worldadoptionday and subsequently spent an inordinate amount of time reading about all the cool stuff she does… including growing their family through adoption. When, a week or so later, I listened to her podcast (in which she shares her thoughts on special needs adoption journey) I knew I just had to ask her if she’d share.

And I’m super happy that she said yes – even taking the time to write a bit about their story – especially considering they are on the verge of meeting their long-awaited little love, Nova.

As in, they’re leaving for China today and will be holding her in their arms next week. Eeeep!

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For the past eighteen months my husband and I have been navigating the process of adopting our first child.

About a week after we were matched, I did an interview with Caroline Lee for her podcast Out Of Line, which focuses on the offline realities of influencers. I chose to talk about our special needs adoption since it seems to take up 100% of my life outside of work… haha!

I’m so honored to share this interview here since I read so many stories here after we were matched as we were searching for as much information as possible on adopting a child with albinism.

We will be leaving for China to adopt our daughter this week and we feel like the luckiest family in the world. You can read more of our story on our family blog, The Larson House.

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Thanks again, Elsie, for sharing your thoughts on special needs adoption with our readers – no doubt your words will be an encouragement to many, especially those just beginning their own journey to adopt a child with special needs.

Be sure to follow along as the Larsons travel to Nova on Elsie’s blog, The Larson House, and on her Instagram.