The Adoption Source ad

It all started in October 1999. My friend and co-worker Alison asked if I was interested in attending an international adoption seminar she had read about in the local paper. It was being sponsored by Adoption Source, an adoption agency based in Boca Raton, FL. John and I had talked about the possibility of adopting in the past. The discussion usually got to the point of John telling me, "We'll see."  This time was different. When I told John about the seminar, he agreed to go. 

On November 16, 1999 we went to the seminar and met Sheila Nestler, Jill Scott and the Adoption Source crew. They opened our eyes to the very real possibility of adopting overseas. I came away from the meeting leaning towards adopting from China and John was leaning towards Russia. We both felt we might be ready in a year or two.

Little did we know we were soon to become parents. Less than a month after the seminar, Jill Scott called. She wanted to know if I was interested in seeing a video of a child she had for placement. The child was Asian, almost two years old and was in an orphanage in Siberia. Because of the child's age Jill wanted the adoption to happen as soon as possible. As a matter of fact she was hoping to have the prospective parents travel by the end of February. 

While I was interested in adopting, I didn't feel ready to start a family in two months. Traveling to Siberia in the dead of winter also sounded a little dangerous. I was listening politely to Jill, waiting to tell her that while I wanted to adopt, now was not what John and I had in mind. Just as I was preparing my speech, Jill told me the child's name. It was Marina. The name I had chosen for a girl. There's no other way to say it, I was truly stunned. I thought to myself, "Oh my God, there she is." 

Jill sent us a video of Marina, a picture and her Russian medical report. She appeared to be a completely healthy, developmentally age appropriate toddler. All we had heard about Russian medicals was they typically would have negative findings on them. Marina's had none. Part of me was still hesitant. I was in shock. At the soonest, I was going to have a toddler in two months. I knew I couldn't refuse the referral. This was meant to be. My friend Alison wanted to adopt also and Adoption Source was willing to arrange things so that we could travel to Siberia and adopt our kids together. I was never going to get a chance like this again. Every obstacle I perceived was somehow eliminated.

The paperwork took a little longer than anticipated. The delay was actually a good thing because it allowed me some time before the adoption to make sense of how rapidly my life was changing. Frankie was our case worker with Adoption Source and she was great. She supported us throughout the paperwork process and was always honest with us. Even though things seemed chaotic at times, chaos is inevitable in such a complicated process that relies on so many other people performing their part. 

We ended up leaving for Moscow on April 19th. All Ways International was the travel agency that handled the international portion of our adoption. They were the best! The international process, was a breeze. Our coordinator's in both Moscow and Krasnoyarsk were superb. While in Moscow we stayed at the President Hotel. Our coordinator Sergei took us on a tour of Red Square and the Kremlin. The sites were amazing. We saw St Basil's cathedral, Lenin's Tomb and we went to the Kremlin museums where we saw the Czar's carriages and other historical artifacts. 

 
St. Basils Cathedral, Moscow

Not long after our tour of Moscow we were taken to the domestic airport and put on a midnight Kras Air  flight to Krasnoyarsk. I was very leery about flying on a Russian plane but all went well and we arrived safely five hours later. 

I simply could not believe I was actually in Siberia.  We got off the plane and followed the crowd to the baggage claim. It looked like a 100 year old barn sporting what had to be the first baggage carousel ever built. 

We were met by our coordinator and taken to our hotel, the Oktabryskaya. It wasn't what I would call posh but what it lacked in amenities it made up for in service and food. Their little restaurant was excellent. The food was excellent.

On April 24, 2000 we were driven to Achinsk to meet Marina. Mike and Alison came too. They were meeting Alex. The orphanage was old but well kept. We had lunch and when we finished eating and presenting our gifts, we were taken to meet Marina and Alex. What a site! Fifteen little kids sitting on potties. Just sitting there. No talking, no crying, no whining, just sitting there. When I look back I realize they all looked kind of sad.

They dressed Marina and Alex and brought them out to us so we could meet and play with them. What a doll. She was such a beautiful little girl. We played and played and then it was time to go. They dressed the kids in the clothes we had brought them and they said good-bye. We took them back to Krasnoyarsk with us to await our court date.

Courthouse in Krasnoyarsk

On April 25, 2000 we went to court. Three other couples were waiting to see the same judge. We were third on the list. Then it was our turn. Boy, was I nervous. When the judge asked us who wants to answer questions first, I volunteered. I was too nervous to wait to be second. The courtroom was smotheringly hot. The judge asked us the perfunctory questions we expected and within 30 minutes, we were given our official adoption decree. Marina had just turned two years old. What a day! It changed our lives forever. 

In retrospect, I've learned that you gain the most in life when you are willing to take the  biggest risks. Adopting Marina was a leap of faith. I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried at times wondering if I was doing the right thing. But now, I can't imagine my life without her. I really do believe we were meant to be together.