FEATURE
A
s a mother myself, I have always thought that the ties that bind a child and parent are like no other. When one is blessed with a natural born
adoption agencies in the United States and abroad. “In August of 1997 we made a call to Brenda,” Laura says, “and she asked us if we would be interested in a
child, a child of the body, there is usually a strong, inherent
beautiful three-year-old Russian girl that had recently
connection of the mind, body, and soul. But when one
been put up for adoption by a mother with cerebral palsy.
actively seeks out a child to adopt, there is a chance for a
We said sure!” Watching a video of the little girl, Laura
unique bond, no less strong, that grows not under the heart
and Bennie felt an instant connection. “When we saw
– but in it. In honor of the National Adoption Month
her,” Laura recalls, “we knew that she was it. She was just
of November, here are three amazing stories from local
meant to be ours. God does not make mistakes. When a
families who have found the children of their hearts.
child is placed in a home, God knows exactly where they
“We’ve been through the natural birth process, and we’ve
are going.” They named the little girl, Alexandria Sveta,
also adopted. There’s absolutely no difference in our
in honor of her Russian heritage, and waited to bring her
hearts,” states Laura and Bennie Simmons, parents to three
home.
sons - Gran, 17, Hunter,
Three months later, the
15, John William, 11 - as
couple flew into Moscow
well as adopted daughter,
and then into Ukhta, a
Alexis, 13. “We began our
small industrial city in
adoption experience when
northwestern Russia, to
the boys were just ages 7,
pick up Alexis from an
5, and 1,” Laura says. “We
orphanage. “They had been
both knew we wanted a little
showing her pictures of us,
girl to complete our family,”
her new Mimi and Papa,”
Bennie continues. “I come
says Laura, “and when she
from a family of all boys,
saw my husband she cried
and then Laura and I had
out, ‘mon Papa!’” She was
three boys in a row. When
her daddy’s girl from the
Laura brought up adopting a girl, I knew it was time to go
minute she saw us,” Laura laughs. Back in Greer, Bennie
for the sure thing,” he says with a grin.
remembers Alexis immediately adjusting to her new home.
“I think we were one of the first in this area to internationally adopt,” says Laura. “The paperwork was
“One day, soon after we brought her home, we were eating at Ryan’s Steakhouse. There were these two boys, who very
just exhausting and the fees
politely tipped their hats at
were more expensive than
us and said ‘howdy’. For the
adopting domestically, but
next month Alexis, who only
we really wanted a child
spoke Russian at the time,
from another country.” With
would greet anyone she
the help of a local agency in
met with ‘howdy’. I believe
Spartanburg, the Simmons
she was born with a natural
filed for adoption and
southern accent!”
were overjoyed when they
Today, Alexis has no
were told of a newborn girl
memory of her early years
from Vietnam. “When the
in Russia or of her adoption.
agency called to tell us that
She has grown into a
the adoption had failed,”
beautiful, bright young lady
Laura remembers, “we were just devastated.” Then a friend
who, like a typical American teenager, loves basketball,
told them about Brenda Baker, an International Program
dancing, dogs, and family vacations. “I’ve always
Coordinator, who facilitates adoptions between licensed
considered myself just one of the family,” she admits. “I’m GreerNow NOVEMBER 2007
27