N.Y. Couple Adopts Russian Orphans
Huntington, New York, Dec. 24, 2004 -- -- Marie Pruden, 51, and her husband Peter, 52, had nearly given up on their dream of having a family until a family friend offered a glimmer of hope.
When their friend explained they might have luck adopting children through a program that brings Russian orphans to the United States, the Prudens were immediately interested.
The program is designed to bring older children to U.S. to meet with prospective parents for three weeks. If it works, the process of legal adoption will begin.
The Prudens' journey began last summer as they prepared for their Russian guests to arrive at New York City's JFK Airport.
"I got three smiley balloons, one for each of them when they come in," Marie Pruden said.
When the Prudens located their guests -- James, Alex and Anastasia -- they were struck by their beautiful faces.
The children and the Prudens realized they wanted to be together, but before the Prudens could adopt them, James, Alex and Anastasia were obligated to return to their orphanage in Russia to begin a difficult process that does notalways have a happy ending.
The Prudens arrived in Siberia to work on the legal adoption process in November, worried their dream might not come true.
"We were nervous. We were in the courtroom 3 1/2 hours and we had 25 talking points. Oh, my God. I wonder if they are going to give us these kids," Marie Pruden remembers.
Marie Pruden said she remembers listening to the children testify.
"Alex said, 'I'm already there in America in my mind.' And then they asked Anastasia, 'can you tell us about your biological parents?' She turnedaround and she said, 'these are the only parents I know.'"
When the hearing was over, the judge decided that the Prudens would be parents, as they had hoped.
"We walked outside and the kids were jumping up and down. It was, it wasemotional," Pruden remembered.
While the children take English language lessons, a neighbor who speaks Russian is helping the family communicate.
The Prudens say they are delighted to finally have the family they've always dreamed of.
To find out more about the Russian Orphan Light House Project, go to www.rainbowkids.com
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