What Has Changed — And What Hasn’t: A Personal Letter from Louie
Reflections from Louie on adoption, cross-cultural connection, and the road ahead in 2025
Dear Families,
Hello, from Louie – I don’t often write a personal letter or share my opinion in our newsletters, as I focus most on travel logistics behind the scenes. However, this seems like a time to share some personal thoughts.
Some adoptees and adoptive parents have asked me about how Chinese citizens might feel and think about Americans, since our two great countries’ political relationship is now more strained than it has been. Below are my thoughts.
Regardless of how the political winds may blow from time to time, one thing has remained consistent — that is — Citizens of each country have great appreciation for each other as individual human beings. Having worked closely with many individuals on both sides of the Pacific I have witnessed this time and time again. I do think that people in both lands don’t generally get distracted by politics and appreciate that each of us are generally doing the best we can to live life in a meaningful way and care for our loved ones. This remains unchanged in 2025.
What has changed of course, is an official halt of China’s international adoption program in 2024. Of course, it is never best for a child to lose their first family, with the harsh reality of China in the 90s prompting the international adoption program to begin. While not perfectly ideal, this path allowed better conditions for many of China’s orphans by allowing families to be formed across the Pacific. This has served to create a unique adoption community that will, I believe, can support adoptees in unique and vital ways.
As I get ready to depart Seattle next week with my family and travel to my hometown area, I feel some nostalgia about how I, and others at Lotus were granted a unique privilege during a certain moment in history to help families unite.
So many things have changed, however I am grateful to say that I am not slowing down, I am expanding the options for travel that will provide unique experiences for adult adoptees, whether for a first return trip, off path exploration and first familiy roots searching expeditions.
I will cross the Pacific next week – I invite each of you to continue the cross-cultural exploration, because while we are all world citizens, there is still much to explore and learn. Safe travels, wherever your travel plans take in you 2025!