Steven and Lisa Clerman
My wife, Lisa and I knew only one thing: we wanted to adopt a child! We could have gone either way in terms of domestic or international, but what did it for us was the fact that with a domestic adoption there was always the possibility of a "birth parent" showing up at any time, not to mention the chance that the birth parent would have a change of heart or contest the adoption...if that doesn't stop your heart, nothing will! When we came home from Russia with our daughter and stepped back on American soil, we felt so free and clear. Nobody will ever appear and lay claim to our child!
We knew that going to Russia would not be easy, especially making two trips in less than six weeks. It was probably the hardest thing we had ever done, but looking back it was the most rewarding experience. We felt as though we had embarked on a journey into the unknown, as if accepting a dare and a challenge to be tested, and coming through with flying colors. It was an experience we will never forget!
We'll always remember the joy and anticipation we felt when we received the call from our Cradle social worker, telling us we had a referral of a 10 month-old baby girl! And it wasn't long before we were granted permission to come to Russia and meet her for the very first time. I'll never forget the hustle and bustle of packing, getting our donations in order, and making sure our paperwork was complete. What a whirlwind! And the trip - from Washington, D.C., a stopover in Paris, and landing in Moscow - was long. Going through customs, being met by the most wonderful Natasha, who took us through the process and made sure we got to our hotel some 24 hours later, tired but determined. We stayed in Moscow for two days, did some sightseeing and got used to the time and cultural change.
Next was our trip to Tyumen to see our daughter, Debra. The plane ride was about three hours and stepping off the plane we truly felt we were in another world! The people, the language and signage all over the place. And Irina, our facilitator and Tanya, our interpreter were just wonderful. Of course, seeing our baby for the very first time is something I will never ever forget! The hard part was leaving, not knowing when we would be back for her. It was back to America, back to our lives, back to the empty house, and back to our daughter's full yet empty room....
Six weeks later, I got the call from Cradle. We had a court date. We were to be in Tyumen in one week. Can you imagine the excitement as we prepared to make arrangements for another 8,000 mile trip. And we were to leave in less than three days!!!
When we arrived in Tyumen, instead of going to the hotel we were whisked immediately to the baby home to see our daughter. And she remembered us!
The next day it was Court and in less than an hour, Debra was legally ours.
Afterwards, a whirlwind of places to go and papers to sign. A celebration dinner with our "helpers," and another couple we had traveled with to pick up their son, Nick. The next day, we went to the baby home for the last time, gathered up our daughter, said our thank yous and good byes and we were off to Moscow, then back to the United States. We were now parents, complete with sleepless nights, bouts with diarrhea , and ear infections. Not to forget a first birthday, a first spoken word, and first steps.
This was five years ago. Today our daughter, Debra, is almost six and is thriving beyond comprehension. She has come from one world to another and we have been so completely blessed! We are so proud to have gone through the whole process and everyone we share our stories and pictures with are spellbound. After all, how many people can say they have walked through Red Square or experienced a Siberian winter night? And most importantly, people look at our daughter and immediately understand why!!!