HapaWhat?

I wasn’t planning to post again so soon, but thought I better explain this sooner than later…

Oxford’s brief definition simply says: noun. a person who is partially of Asian or Pacific Islander descent.

I spent my entire 46 years on this earth saying/believing/feeling I am HALF Korean, and HALF American/caucasian. I grew up not knowing my birth mother or any of her family. I did not identify as a Korean girl at all, except that my eyes were kinda almond shaped. At the same time, I also knew I wasn’t fully “white” either. Half & Half, end of story.

Awhile back I was introduced to a group on social media, and realized there is this HUGE community of half-Korean or half-asian people all over the US, as well as overseas. I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE?? What!?! Through that group, I was led to a few others, one in which I have come to love, we’re all so very different, yet have this unseen connection, like distant family members. Then a few weeks ago, I experienced my “aha” moment… for the first time ever, I felt WHOLE. Not half one thing or another… but 100% Hapa. I can’t explain it, other than it changed something in me, and for now, I’m hanging on to it.