Celebrating Our Son’s Adoption – Viktory Day 2018 (14th Year)

A blonde blue-eyed “buster” joined our family 14 years ago. From Russia you came, with stories to tell, a history to share, and siblings to sadly leave behind. But this was the start of your new life, with new family, new experiences, slides, sports, cats, and delicious food. Of two new grandmas, and one new grandpa, new aunts and uncles, and cousins, and travel, and Java Lake, and church, new friends, and love.

For love is what you brought to your dad and me, and to the whole family for that matter. You laughed with grandma Mary, ate soup with grandma Adela, and talked about WWII with grandpa. You’ve cut wood with Uncle Peter, walked in the woods with Aunt Rhonnda, and helped Aunt Debbie around her home. You have brought so much to your family, and we are proud of you.

You have experienced dark days, and very bright ones too. You have made us laugh, cry, and fear for your safety. You’ve been musical, artistic, sporty, smart, fearless, and sometimes difficult. You’ve been you, and we love you for that.

The years are moving along quickly, and so it’s important for us to stop and reflect back on the times we’ve spent together, and on the wonderful experiences that lie ahead.

For you are a father now to sweet baby Piper, and you are a loving partner to a lovely young lady. You have created your own little family, right here in Western New York.
Who would’ve ever thought that a little Russian boy from an orphanage in western Russia would have such a positive impact on the lives of so many across the ocean?

So as we recognize Viktory Day 2018, we reflect on how you came to be our son.
We think about your birth father Viktor, Valentina, Baba Uli, Svetlana, and Anastasia, and hope that they too are well, both in spirit and in human form. They are always your family. That will never change. We also think about the ties that bind us together, the support we give one another, and the fun that we share together.

May this year, and the years to come be good to you.
May this moment in time be celebrated as you recognize the joy and gifts in your life.
May you always be blessed with love, good health, and a positive spirit that allows you to fly high.

So today we recognize you, dear Viktor, as our son, nephew, father, and life partner on this, your 14^th Viktory Day.