10/06/2020
Talk about life changes during a pandemic! We are so excited to share this interview!
• Meet Sam! Sam didn’t just move houses- she and her husband and adorable son moved across the ocean just one month before the lockdown began!
In this week’s MOTHERS AROUND THE WORLD interview, Sam shares with us her journey to meeting her son for the first time, moving to a new country right before the world shut down and her thoughts on motherhood!
What an incredible life you have lived, Sam!
We are so grateful to be able to hear your life story and share with others going through great changes, too. Thank you for your honesty and giving us a glimpse into overcoming life’s challenges as well.
If you would like to know more about Sam & Eric’s adoption journey, Sam talks in her interview about advice she is happy to share with mothers who are wanting to adopt! Thank you, Sam! You are an incredible woman and a beautiful mother and wife.
We can feel your strength & love through your words.
Your honesty is greatly appreciated and admired. 💖
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Sam’s Interview:
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Westland, Michigan
Q: When you were a young girl, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Veterinarian, I love animals!
Q: What’s something quirky you did as a child that you can still recall? (for example, I used to have funerals for my dead hermit crabs)
A: Anytime I saw a squirrel in our yard I would rush to the kitchen for some peanut butter and bread. I would rush outside to find the squirrel and hope it would take the tasty treat from my hand.
I found out from my aunt recently a funny little story. Whenever I saw I dead squirrel or animal on the side of the road while driving with my dad, I would tell him we should call 911.
Q: What was your first job ever? What was your most amusing job? Favorite job? Last job?
A: First job ever, I had a paper route in the 4th grade. I was a paper girl. Most amusing job would probably be while I served in the Navy, 2000-2004. I really enjoyed the people I met and there was never a dull moment. My favorite job was working at a vet clinic/boarding facility as a Vet assistant/kennel assistant. I was around animals all day. My last job was working as a Senior Scientist for a pharmaceutical product development company. I don’t miss the stress but miss the people.
Q: How has your life changed in the last five years for you and your husband?
A: In the last 5 years, we’ve experienced some amazing places! We took a trip to Prague, Poland, and South Africa. South Africa is still our favorite trip, just a beautiful country. We took many road trips to explore the US. We moved from Michigan to Wisconsin…love their cheese! Started the long process of adoption. Became parents to the sweetest little boy. Moved from Wisconsin to Switzerland. That’s 5 years in a nutshell!
Q: Three words to describe the day your son was born are
A: Emotional, stressful, and gratifying
Q: You have recently moved countries! Can you tell us more about your move and this new journey for you so far…
A: Well, it wasn’t easy. It was more stressful since Eric (husband) would work in Switzerland for 2 weeks and then come home for a week. This went on for about 5 months. I was caring for Cruz, 4 months at the time, while trying to downsize our life, finish any requirements for our adoption finalization, figure out the requirements to bring a pet over, and a bunch of other stuff that pops up when moving. Once we came over as a family things started out good but then life changed for everyone with the pandemic. I was here for about 3 weeks and then the country shutdown. I feel like I’m a very outgoing person, love to meet new people and explore this world. The main language spoken here is Italian. As soon as I experienced the difficulty of communicating, I became a turtle hiding in its shell.
Things are slowly turning around now in Switzerland. Just recently they opened the Saturday farmers market downtown, or what they call centro. It’s really nice to see people out, the city feels alive again! I’m working on not letting the language barrier shy me away from doing things. I’m taking Italian lessons with a tutor and using an app. I try really hard to us the basics when we are out.
Q: What strategies do you put in place for yourself in times of stress or uncertainty?
A: I’ve always tried to keep myself busy, keep the mind focused on something else. I make to-do lists and try to cross off something everyday. Even if it is something as simple as taking a shower or fold clothes, add it to the list so you can cross it off.
Q: What is keeping you sane at the moment? Are you following any groups, sites, blogs, websites, favorite shows, podcasts, exercise videos that you are finding helpful?
A: Working out has always been how I dealt with stress. It’s been part of my life for a long time. During quarantine, I used an app (FitOn) or youtube for workouts. I would go for walks, with or without Cruz. Cruz loves his walks too! I’ve joined a couple FB groups. The groups are helpful for finding things in Switzerland and talking with moms that are English speaking living all over Switzerland.
I stared listening to audiobooks on my walks. I really enjoyed Open Book (Jessica Simson), Girl Wash Your Face (Rachel Hollis), and Inside Out (Demi Moore).
Q: If you were asked by a couple considering adoption for your advice, what would you tell them?
A: I have so much to say about this question. Adoption is hard but worth it!! There are many questions you have to ask yourself as well as answering some very hard questions on your wants, your life, and your marriage. Be prepared for disappointment and a long journey. You will be overwhelmed with the amount of paperwork and frustrated at times, I know we were. Take full advantage of your agency (if you choose to use one) and what they have to offer to help you. There is SO much more I can offer for anyone reading this that is considering adoption. Please feel free to reach out to me.
Q: What is something that couldn’t be known until your son was there in your arms?
A: The main thing that worried me was not knowing how or when our bond would form. Most pregnant women form that bond as the baby grows or right after they give birth. Would our bond form as soon as I see him or hold him? I felt that moment I became one with him, that he needed me and I needed him. A couple of hours after he was born, his temp was still low. The nurse suggested skin-to-skin with me. I was SO nervous when he was placed on my chest, so tiny and fragile to me, but then everything felt so right and I knew then this was our moment.
Q: What is your new town/city like as far as you’ve been able to explore before the lockdown?
A: It has a small town feel with history. There are three castles, first written reference to them dates back to 590! Yes, I had to look that up. The lush, green mountain sides are peppered with houses and grape vine fields. Since we are in a valley, it gets pretty windy here which is a good thing since central air-conditioning doesn’t seem to exist over here. There are lots of places to hike and we live walking distance to a river with the bluest water and seems to be a great place for kids to swim.
Q: Now that you are living in Europe, when we can move about again, where would you like to travel to?
A: EVERYWHERE! I just want to see as much as we can while we have this great opportunity. I will say, Croatia has been number one on my list.
Complete each sentence-
One thing some people may not know about me is…we adopted because of me. As a woman, the one thing you are biologically programmed to do, I cannot do safely. It was a hard pill to swallow when I found this out. I felt bad that I couldn’t give my husband a family the way we hoped we could. But now I know we were meant to be adoptive parents.
I truly hope…this world becomes a better place.
I never imagined I’d…experience a pandemic in my lifetime.
If I could visit anywhere in the world with my little family, I would….honestly right now the US to see our family and friends. We would state hop to see them all!
When travelling with a little one, I recommend….try to keep it simple on what you will need and don’t stress about your routine. They know it better than you think.
The more I am a parent, the more I…stress and worry. I question everything I do.
My favourite song of all time is…this is a tough one for me. In my younger years I played the violin, was in the Orchestra, Marching Band, drumline, and over the years have grown to love all types of music. But right now Cruz loves Dance Monkey by Tones and I so I hear that a lot!
If I could go back in time and re-live one day of my life it would be…rather than living one day, I would love to relive moments throughout my life. I can’t seem to think of one day but I can think of multiple moments from the time I was a little girl until now that make me happy. I just want to bundle all those memories together.
For my son, I hope….well, with everything going on in the world I hope for him to be healthy and safe. I will do my absolute best to raise him to be aware of inequality, to speak up, and be a light seeking change.
When I look back at my life one day what will make me smile is… knowing I have the best family and friends. Just know, I miss you all!!
Wow, what an incredible journey you are on!
🌎♥️🌟
