Nicky's Story

An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet,
regardless of time, place, or circumstance.
the thread may stretch or tangle,
but it will never break.

Even as I sit here six months after his adoption, I’m still awed watching my son play across the room.

The story begins a little over a year ago; more than that really, if you include the years of talking about children and adoption. Since 2000, I had thought more and more of it, until in 2003, I finally sent that email to Wasatch. It was a busy 9 months; gathering paperwork, multiple physical exams and background checks, having the home study done, authenticating and apostiling documents. But finally on March 8th we knew the dossier was with the National Adoption Center in Kiev. In May, we learned the appointment date: June 7th, 2004.

We, my mother and I, waited with other families at the NAC in the ‘Scooby-doo’ hall…a long hallway with many doors and hundreds of photos of smiling adopted children. When it was my turn, I met with a ‘psychologist’ and looked through a book of profiles. One of them, about 15 pages in caught my attention...it was an 18 month old boy in relatively good health but no picture. A quick phone call to the orphanage let me know that the director felt he was healthy and clever. So we planned a visit.

We left for Kremenchuk, about 220 miles south of Kiev. After several hours of paperwork and meetings, we met him. He was a beautiful, blonde, blue-eyed boy and had no obvious health problems. He cried when they first handed him to me, then he fell asleep in my arms. I was smitten. The decision was immediate – but that began another paper chase and court adventure all finalized two weeks later with a visit to the US Embassy in Kiev. Exhausted, but happy, we three made it home on June 26th.

Since arriving home at 18 months, Nicky has grown and changed so much. In Kiev, while getting to know us, he was mostly quiet (somber really)…we were thankful for that on the flight home! Now, he’s so happy and into everything. Having researched extensively before traveling, I was amazed that we’ve had none of the ‘issues’ that are so often discussed. He was so well attached even by the time we arrived back home. I think a lot of that has to do with the loving care he received at the orphanage.

Like most children raised in orphanages, Nicky was on the small side when we returned home. I was worried and anxious for him to reach the positive side of the US growth charts. At his last Dr. appointment, he had reached the 35th percentile in both height and weight. Amazing what home and good nutrition can do! He’s also thriving and improving consistently on his motor and verbal skills. Where he was 4-6 months behind in July, he is now at or near his age level in all areas – even advanced in large motor skills.

It’s been a phenomenal six months. I’m thankful every day for everyone who helped bring him into my life – Wasatch, RPF, notaries, US and Ukraine officials, NAC employees, the Orphanage ladies, and dozens of others. Sure, there were bumps along the way, but those bumps made my timing perfect for meeting the child that is and has forever been truly mine.

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