A letter from one of our families...

November 27, 2003

To: Frank Adoption Center

RE: Abrielle Nancy Lubov Kashin, Region of Tver, Russia DOA: 12-19-00

Dear Walt, Rosemary, & the Wonderful Staff of Frank Adoption Center:

Abby was adopted on December 19, 2000 from the Kashin Orphanage in the wonderful Region of Tver, Russia.

Although this is our final 'official' Post Placement Report, please be assured it shall not be our last contact with all of you who were so instrumental in our adoption journey. Frank Adoption Center, The Frank Foundation, the fabulous Russian Coordinators, the Kashin Orphanage Staff and the Tver Judicial Officials involved in Abby's case shall always be an important part of our extended family. The beautiful country of Russia, Abby's birthparents, and everyone who so lovingly cared for our daughter before we were given the privilege of being her parents are honored in our home and shall remain forever in our hearts.

As we've said many times before, there are simply no words to adequately express the immense joy our adoption journey has given us, as well as our extended family. People who don't understand the complexity of this journey often comment how 'lucky' Abby is to have been adopted into our family. We recognize fully the unbelievable sacrifice many people made to afford us the privilege of being Abby's parents. We are quick to correct anyone who makes such comments with, "No. We assure you, WE are the lucky ones". In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the day of this writing, we express our sincere gratitude to all of you for the joy our daughter has brought us:

To Abby's Birthparents:

Thank you for giving Abby Lubasha the gift of life. We shall never forget that without you Abby's life would not be possible. You will always be honored and cherished for the loving sacrifice you made and the care you gave Abby Lubasha prior to her birth. Though we have not had the privilege of meeting you, we nonetheless feel we know you well. We point out to Abby how she got her beautiful full cheeks, her adorable button nose, her gorgeous eyes, and the longest eyelashes in the world from you. There are wonderful characteristics of Abby's personality and inherent talents that we are certain come from you. There are no words to sufficiently thank-you. You are in our thoughts and prayers with our sincere gratitude, always.

To The Russian Federation:

Thank you for entrusting us with being Abby's parents. We shall never take our parenting responsibilities lightly and will always lovingly care for our daughter in all respects. We feel so very grateful to have personally seen the beauty of Russia, experienced its rich culture, and befriended its gracious citizens throughout our adoption journey. Our host family, the Bobrovas--Natasha, Masha, and Tonya--took us into their home and made us feel a permanent part of their family forever. They taught us important lessons as first-time parents and deepened our appreciation for Russian culture. We are grateful the beauty of Russia will always be an important part of our lives.

We are thankful for our continued friendship with the Schulte family. Michael Schulte (Formerly Solomatin Mikhail Petrovich), who now resides with his parents, was adopted from the Kashin Orphanage at the same time Abby was. At least once a year we vacation together so our families remain close. Abby and Michael exchange photographs, holiday cards, and gifts throughout the year, with great anticipation and excitement. The deep bond between these children is amazing to behold. As their parents, we are committed to taking Abby and Michael to Russia together for their first homeland tour, when they are older. We are hopeful Abby and Michael can meet as many of you involved in their adoption journey as possible, upon their return to Russia.

There are reminders of Abby's Russian heritage throughout our home-music, books, paintings, and toys to mention a few. On Abby's adoption anniversary each year, she is presented with an age-appropriate gift from Russia that we purchased while we were there to adopt her. So far, she's been gifted beautiful Russian toys (a wooden cow, stacking rings, and a giraffe pull toy), a traditional dress, and this year, a lovely Russian doll. There are fifteen more Russian treasures awaiting her in our family's cedar chest. Abby enthusiastically tells people, "Me from Russia"! She often asks to look at her Russian photo album, which she's fallen asleep with from time to time. We remain active members of Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA), which provides Abby with additional opportunities to celebrate her Russian heritage. On December 22, 2003, we have a Court date to re-adopt Abby in the State of Wisconsin, in order to add her Russian name, Lubov, back into her legal name. Lubov means "the people's love" in Russian. We now understand how incredibly fitting that name is for her.

To The Staff of the Kashin Orphanage:

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the loving care you took of Abby. It was obvious to us that this was not merely a job to you, but that you cared for these children with sincerity and love. When we took custody of Abby and you placed her in our arms, the Kashin Orphanage Director said (with tears in her eyes), "She will bring you nothing but joy". You were so very right. We thank and credit the Kashin Orphanage staff for the sincere love they show the children in their care. We are certain their love and care were instrumental in helping Abby become who she is today.

We still feel much emotion, when we read the letter the Educator of the Kashin Orphanage wrote to Abby before she left. We feel it truly conveys the deep love and hope these committed professionals have for the children in their loving care. In part, it says:

"You Lubasha, are the lucky one, for fate has given you two native lands-the place where you live now and Russia…We would like you to come to Russia one day. We want you to know that we love you and remember you…There are kind people in every country. Two of them-your parents-take care of you. They give you exactly what you now need…Let all your days be like holidays and never have grief in your eyes. We wish you success, fewer tears, more laughter, a long life's road, and much happiness on this road."

To The Frank Foundation & Frank Adoption Center:

Thank you for the amazing job you do. Again, it is obvious this is far more than just a job to you. To Dr. Nina Kostina and her staff, we thank you for all the lives you touch and the work you do to make our world a better place. Your loving mission is a success and you are a blessing to many.

To The Frank Adoption Center:

You are to be commended for the exceptional work you do. You are caring, knowledgeable, and competent in all respects. To Rosemary Gerisch in particular-we'd never have gotten through all of this without your amazing knowledge of a very complicated process. Your kindness and enthusiasm even when you received three or more calls from us in one day was truly an inspiration. To the amazing Russian staff, particularly our Coordinator Tatiana and our Translator Tonya, as well as everyone else who cared for us in Russia--We felt certain when we selected you to facilitate our adoption that we were in the most competent of hands. We were absolutely right. You are, without reservation, exceptional in all respects. Thank you for your devoted mission, loving care, and knowledgeable competence.

We hope Frank Adoption Center will resume it's past practice of combining local information meetings with Frank Family Reunions so we can see you again and share our wonderful experiences with prospective adoptive parents locally.

To The Honorable Elena Surina/Judicial Board for Civil Cases of Tverskoy Region:

You are an exceptionally caring, knowledgeable, and competent professional who made our judicial experience a memorable one. It was obvious, even in Court, that you cared deeply for the welfare of our daughter. Thank you for granting us the great honor and privilege of being Abby's parents, as well as the wonderful memory of meeting you in America.

We had the great privilege of reuniting with the Honorable Surina at the Frank Foundation's Ten Year Reunion. As we were showing her pictures of Abby over the years, she pointed to one we had sent to Russia during the previous post-placement period. She told us she continues to keep that picture of Abby on her desk! She then went up to her room and brought down a painting of Russia for Abby. On the back she inscribed, "So you will always remember us". The Honorable Surina touched our hearts forever. It is obvious she continues to care about the children long after they have gone home with their forever families.

And Finally, To Abby Lubasha-Our Dear Daughter:

Thank you for being everything and more than we had ever hoped for in a daughter. We shall love and cherish you always, even when you falter in life, as we all do from time to time. We do not take lightly the immense sacrifice you made in becoming part of our family. You left your beautiful homeland of Russia and all that was familiar to you, so we could have the honor of being your parents, through no choice of your own. We will always do our best to help you develop self-pride. Be very proud of your Russian heritage, as well as your American home. You are the most beautiful, loving, and expressive being we have ever known. Your sense of humor, wonderful imagination, and love of life belie your young years. You have brought out the very best in most everyone you encounter. As promised, you truly have brought us "nothing but joy". Never forget the many people who have loved you so deeply throughout your young life-we know we never will. With immense gratitude, we thank them and you, always and forever.

With Much Gratitude,

Deb, Tim, & Abby Lubasha