Bulgaria, May 2026
The Journey to Meet my Birth Family!
Sofia, Bulgaria
My mom and I spent the first few days of our trip exploring Sofia, Bulgaria's gorgeous capital city. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by its beautiful parks, charming brick streets, artsy boutiques, and incredible history. The city was very walkable, making it easy to wander from one neighborhood to the next while soaking in the atmosphere.
One of the things that stood out most was seeing people truly enjoying their city! Parks were full of friends chatting, families spending time together, and musicians and artists bringing the streets to life. I especially loved the local art fairs—they made the city feel so creative and community-centered. Everywhere we went, people were warm and welcoming, and I was pleasantly surprised by how many people spoke English!
My mom and I spent our first three days simply exploring, getting a little lost, and discovering all the hidden gems Sofia had to offer. Around every corner was another beautiful building, historic landmark, or cozy café. The city's rich history is woven into every street, and it made every walk feel like stepping through a different chapter of Bulgaria's story. Sofia was the perfect introduction to our trip, and I already know it's a place I'll never forget.
Also, the McDonald's and KFC was so much better over there!!
Pazardzhik, Bulgaria
After our time in Sofia, it was time to leave the capital and head to Pazardzhik to meet my family!!! The drive there was special for more than one reason—our driver and translator was the very same man who had been with my mom when she came to Bulgaria to adopt me all those years ago. He couldn't believe how much I'd grown, which was such a full-circle moment!
His daughter joined us on the trip because her boyfriend is from Pazardzhik, and I am so thankful she did. We instantly connected, and by the end of our time together, I felt like I had gained a lifelong friend. I can't wait to see her again during our next visits!
Her boyfriend's family also welcomed us with open arms. They invited us to several dinners during our stay, and their kindness and generosity made us feel like part of the family. They were incredible hosts, and I'm so grateful we had the opportunity to experience Bulgarian hospitality firsthand.
We also happened to visit during graduation season, which made our trip even more memorable. We celebrated her boyfriend's younger brother's graduation, and it was so much fun! In Bulgaria, graduation is a huge celebration. Friends and family gather together, the graduates are showered with flowers and congratulations, and the festivities continue long into the evening. It was such a joyful experience to witness and be a small part of such an important tradition.
Meeting the Family!
Everything was perfect! Meeting the family was the most incredible thing I've ever done! It was so weird feeling deeply connected to people I've never met. I saw features in them that matched things about me, which was a sensational feeling that I've never had before! The family cooked a couple of meals for us, and I'm serious that the food over there was the best I've ever had! We ate so much, but everything was so healthy that there was basically no guilt!! The fish was so fresh, the watermelon and white cheese combo was out of this world, and I tried calamari for the first time!! There were cherries on deck at all times and I'm convinced I need to permanently switch to a Mediterranean diet!
I'm already dreaming of my next trip to Bulgaria and can't wait to keep growing my relationship with my family and explore more of what Bulgaria has to offer!
I'm so grateful to my mom for making this trip happen! I have the best mom ever and the best two families!
