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Kim and Robert SummersAmericans
Country:
 USA |
Kim and Robert Summers: A Journey of Love and Adoption
Meeting and MarriageKim and Robert Summers met at the relatively mature age of 40. Despite their age, they quickly fell in love and got engaged within a few months. A year later, they tied the knot, looking forward to a happy future together. However, their happiness seemed incomplete without children of their own.
Struggles with Infertility
After experiencing three miscarriages and four unsuccessful attempts at in vitro fertilization, the Summers realized that they may not be able to have a biological child of their own. Adoption became the obvious choice for starting a family.
Choosing Adoption in Russia
Considering the risk of biological parents changing their minds in the United States, the Summers quickly ruled out adopting an American child. They then decided to explore adoption options in both China and Russia. The couple found that the bureaucratic process in Russia was much faster, leading them to choose Russian adoption.
A Long-Awaited Arrival
After completing all the necessary paperwork, undergoing various checks, and attending parent training courses, the Summers finally received permission to adopt. The papers arrived on July 5th, and by August 8th, the couple arrived in Kaluga, Russia. It was in a local orphanage in Kaluga that the Summers met their future son.
Meeting Preston
The Summers intended to name their son Preston. Preston Mackie Summers, as he would later be known, developed at a slightly slower pace than his peers, but that did not diminish the love the Summers felt for him from the moment they laid eyes on him.
Unexpected Obstacles
Just as the Summers were growing accustomed to their new life with their adopted son, Russian legislation known as the "Dima Yakovlev Law" prohibited Americans from adopting Russian children starting from January 1, 2013. This sudden turn of events shocked the Summers, who had already grown deeply attached to Preston.
A Heartbreaking Outcome
The Summers' disappointment was not only due to the financial investments they had made in preparing for Preston's arrival but also because they were denied the chance to provide a loving home to a child in need. The passing of the Dima Yakovlev Law, widely debated in political circles and online platforms, was seen by some as retaliation for the U.S. Magnitsky Act. Others argued that the law was necessary due to previous incidents involving Russian orphans adopted by Americans, such as the tragic death of 2-year-old Dima Yakovlev in a hot car, which led to the law's informal nickname.
Overall, the Summers' journey illustrates the power of love and the challenges faced by those who choose adoption as a path to parenthood. Despite the unexpected obstacles they encountered, Kim and Robert Summers continue to advocate for adoption and hope to provide a loving home for a child in the future.
