Peter and I decided several years ago – when we were engaged – that some day we would bring a child into our family through adoption. We wanted to make a difference in a child’s life.
After we were married, Peter and I struggled with infertility for four long years. This struggle strengthened our marriage and family – we felt strong and more ready than ever when we decided to move forward with an adoption in 2007. We knew in our hearts that this was God’s plan for us.
We first met the staff at Happy Families in 2004 when we attended an orientation. We were impressed with their dedication and compassion. We observed their interactions with our community over the next three years as they planned family hosting programs for Russian orphans, Russian Folk Festivals, and family picnics for the children and families. Then we just happened to move into an apartment located across the street from them, and got to know them on a more personal level. We knew this was the agency for us!
So we started the adoption process in January 2007. From the beginning our coordinators at Happy Families were diligent, caring and worked hard for us – personalizing everything for our specific situation. They would work overtime and come in on their days off to make sure paperwork was completed as soon as possible. They answered all of our questions promptly and with understanding (believe me; we had a lot of crazy questions!).
We finished our paperwork in July of that year. International adoption agencies were waiting for re-accreditation from the Russian government at this time. So we had a few months wait – Happy Family received their accreditation in November 2007, and then began the process of registering in their various regions. Happy Families was registered in our region in late-January/early February 2008. We received our referral for a beautiful three-year old girl – Albina – a few weeks later.
Soon thereafter we traveled to Russia to meet her. We were able to visit her for four days, morning and afternoon. We knew that this little girl was meant to be a part of our family and we signed our intention to adopt her. Happy Families in-region coordinators were incredible – we never felt so well taken care of. Everything was explained to us and the staff went out of their way to make sure we received all the information we needed. They helped us with accommodations and made us feel at home.
Our court date was set for early July 2008 and after four hours of questioning and testimonies, the judge said “yes”! We brought Albina home to the United States on July 22.
Happy Families connected us with the right people in Russia and the United States to help us receive excellent medical advice and care for Albina. We are happy to report, thanks in large part to Happy Families, that today Albina is a healthy, vibrant girl.
Our agency’s support went beyond this however – we really feel they are family. We can tell you, with certainty; this is an agency that has their heart in the right place.
Albina brings so much joy and light to our lives… she is spirited, curious and a wonderful, beautiful girl. We have so many fond memories of our adoption process and our trips to Russia. What an exciting and exhilarating time! And now we are making new, unforgettable memories with Albina.
Yes, we can now say, we are making a difference in a child’s life, and she is making an extraordinary – life-changing – magnificent difference in ours.
Thank you Happy Families for helping us find our beautiful daughter. God has blessed us greatly. And we are so happy and proud to have worked with you and to know you. Thank you for being our family too. – Anna McFadden, Cold Spring, NY
