Tim, Melody, Grady and Ava are a happy family, thanks to the miracles of adoption. Local Couple Shares Their Happy Story Of Adoption By Fawn Roark Each year, November is recognized as National Adoption Awareness Month and works to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children. This month, the Mountain Times will be featuring several local parents who are happy to share their adoption experience with others and help them learn more about the whole process. The Ashe Pregnancy Care Center is a great local resource agency who can provide referrals and information relating to adoption, according to Director Peggy Hoefl. “I believe it is important for couples who are praying for a child and have tried every option to look into adoption. Don’t let horror stories in the world media scare you and don’t let the money factor deter you. There are many reputable adoption agencies in NC to help you in every area,” Hoefl explained. “There are almost 10,000 children in foster care in NC alone and 200 are listed on the waiting children web site. These children are available through DSS and the cost is minimal. We have literature available at the APCC and would be happy to put you in touch with a knowledgeable, qualified adoption specialist who can answer all your questions. Adoption is a wonderful option for birth moms and for adoptive couples.” Tim and Melody Rector of West Jefferson were happy to share their story of adoption and how their two children, Grady who is 2 ½ years old, and Ava who is eight months old entered their life. When each baby came home to Ashe County, they were welcomed home by four dogs – Ed, Fred, Sampson and Lady. The couple said they tried to have a baby for years, but it just did not happen. “After an unsuccessful attempt at in-vitro fertilization we decided adoption was perfect for us. I had a friend who was a pediatrician who had recently adopted a baby in Texas. After speaking with her, I knew this was what we needed to do. I got on our adoption agency’s website and started the application process. Abrazo requires that all couples attend a weekend seminar before placement,” Melody explained. “Our seminar weekend was March 8, 2002. After that weekend, we were so excited. We had tried everything possible to become parents and for the first time, we felt that our dream would come true. After much paperwork, many home studies and loads of prayer, we got a call on April 15th, 2002, from a birth mom. I called my husband so excited,” she continued. “We matched with Melissa and for the next month, we made phone calls and really got to know her. On May 14, 2002, our son Grady was born. We flew to Texas on the Sunday before, met Melissa and took her to the hospital. On Monday morning, they induced labor – Tim and I were in the delivery room with Grady’s biological birth parents, Melissa and Abraham when he was born.” Rector said she is so thankful for both of her children and their adoption agency. “Words can not express our instant love for Grady, Melissa and Abraham. We used the same agency for our second adoption. The process was pretty much the same except Shyla delivered Ava before her due date so we were not able to be present for Ava’s birth. The actual process – once we finished our paperwork and home study for adoption took one month with Grady and four months with Ava.” The Rectors went to Texas for the finalization of both adoptions. The couple along with their attorney went before a judge who asked questions pertaining to the child’s wellbeing and then declared them parents. “The entire process took about 15 minutes. In the state of Texas, the child is placed with the adoptive parents who serve as foster parents for six months. After the six month period, we returned to Texas to finalize the adoption. During this time we went through two more home studies,” Melody noted. “The reason we went to Texas for our adoptions was that Texas is one of the most ‘adoptive friendly’ states. The birth mom can not place her baby until 48 hours after the birth; however, once she places she does not have a grace period meaning she cannot change her mind. Grady legally became ours on Dec. 20 and Ava’s adoption was finalized on Oct. 12th.” Grady and Ava are a dream come true for Tim and Melody and they cannot speak highly enough of the birth parents who have given them such an opportunity. “Tim and I were married for 16 years before adopting. During this time, Tim attended dental school, we established careers and traveled. We were so ready to become parents. Our number one priority now is our children – every thing has changed,” Melody explained. “Our lives are so full and whole. Because we worked so hard to become parents, we treasure each and every day. We take nothing for granted and love each and every duty that comes with being a parent. It is such a privilege to get up through the night for feedings, change diapers and spend the day playing. We have been blessed beyond measures.” The birthparents for Grady are Melissa and Abraham; the birthparents for Ava are Shyla and Johnathan. All of them are true heroes for the Rectors. “Our adoptions are open adoptions meaning we were chosen by the birth parents. They know who we are, where we live our address and telephone number. We have a toll free number so they are able to call us at any time. We have also visited with them many times. Tim and I send the birth parents letters and pictures of Grady and Ava several times throughout the year. We are so blessed and cannot say enough about our children’s birth parents,” she continued. “The birthparents have so much love for Grady and Ava and just want to know they are well. They have no desire whatsoever to ‘take’ them from us – they want Grady and Ava to have a better life than they could provide. Our birthparents are the most unselfish people who truly wanted their children to have a life with more opportunities than they could provide. We are so grateful to them – they are our heroes. Without them we wouldn’t have our babies – the love of our lives. I thank God every day that in-vitro fertilization did not work because if it had – we would not have Grady and Ava. Our failed in-vitro was the darkest point in my life – now I look back and know that God really knew what he was doing and I am so thankful.” For more information about adoption, call the Ashe Pregnancy Care Center at 846-4100.