This is my big sister Darlene and me a few months after I was adopted. To this day, even though we are both grown, she's still my big sis.
Michaela's family photo album —
This is my big sister Darlene and me a few months after I was adopted. To this day, even though we are both grown, she's still my big sis.
CNN
I pose for a snapshot with Darlene and Sheila under a tree in our backyard, wearing our Sunday best. Don't trust the angelic smiles.
Michaela's family photo album —
I pose for a snapshot with Darlene and Sheila under a tree in our backyard, wearing our Sunday best. Don't trust the angelic smiles.
CNN
A family friend took this photo of me in elementary school, around the second grade. A budding Picasso? I think not.
Michaela's family photo album —
A family friend took this photo of me in elementary school, around the second grade. A budding Picasso? I think not.
The "Original 7" (as my mom, Ainslie, likes to call us now) take a family portrait in the 1980s in British Columbia
Michaela's family photo album —
The "Original 7" (as my mom, Ainslie, likes to call us now) take a family portrait in the 1980s in British Columbia
CNN
My runway debut! I think this is where my lifelong aversion to blush was born.
Michaela's family photo album —
My runway debut! I think this is where my lifelong aversion to blush was born.
CNN
Mom with the five girls outside our family home in 100 Mile House, British Columbia. The Cowichan sweaters my two oldest sisters are wearing were knitted by our grandmother
Michaela's family photo album —
Mom with the five girls outside our family home in 100 Mile House, British Columbia. The Cowichan sweaters my two oldest sisters are wearing were knitted by our grandmother
CNN
My birth mother, Dale, with a grinning baby Marnie at Christmas. She's so adorable!
Michaela's family photo album —
My birth mother, Dale, with a grinning baby Marnie at Christmas. She's so adorable!
CNN
Marnie's parents, our mother Dale and her husband, Zig. Sometimes I see the resemblance.
Michaela's family photo album —
Marnie's parents, our mother Dale and her husband, Zig. Sometimes I see the resemblance.
CNN
Marnie out for a kayak ride with her dad, Zig. He's doing all the work.
Michaela's family photo album —
Marnie out for a kayak ride with her dad, Zig. He's doing all the work.
CNN
Zig the proud father with his university graduate Marnie. She is now an elementary school teacher, something she has in common with my mom, Ainslie
Michaela's family photo album —
Zig the proud father with his university graduate Marnie. She is now an elementary school teacher, something she has in common with my mom, Ainslie
CNN
This photo was snapped the week Marnie and I met for the first time. I had a ball showing her around the Los Angeles area. We laughed and smiled the entire time. Her smile was extra big at the beach.
Michaela's family photo album —
This photo was snapped the week Marnie and I met for the first time. I had a ball showing her around the Los Angeles area. We laughed and smiled the entire time. Her smile was extra big at the beach.
CNN
This is a fairly recent picture of the "Original 7" at the Quamichan Inn on Vancouver Island. It's not easy to get all of us together with our busy lives. There is always a lot of laughter at these gatherings. Pictured going clockwise from the top left: Mary-Lou, Laurie, Dad, me, Mom, Darlene and Sheila.
Michaela's family photo album —
This is a fairly recent picture of the "Original 7" at the Quamichan Inn on Vancouver Island. It's not easy to get all of us together with our busy lives. There is always a lot of laughter at these gatherings. Pictured going clockwise from the top left: Mary-Lou, Laurie, Dad, me, Mom, Darlene and Sheila.
CNN
Our family is still growing. Guly (right) came into the fold later in life and became just another one of the sisters.
The many faces of family —
Our family is still growing. Guly (right) came into the fold later in life and became just another one of the sisters.
courtesy Michaela Pereira
Fatima (right) is yet another "sister" who joined the family unofficially.
The many faces of family —
Fatima (right) is yet another "sister" who joined the family unofficially.
courtesy Michaela Pereira
Mom, Dad and me pictured outside an airport; I was leaving to go back to whatever city I was living in at the time. You can see the sadness on my face. It's tough being so far away from them.
Michaela's family photo album —
Mom, Dad and me pictured outside an airport; I was leaving to go back to whatever city I was living in at the time. You can see the sadness on my face. It's tough being so far away from them.
CNN