A mom and dad of her own

Published 11:07 pm Friday, November 14, 2008

EVERETT — Luis and Alisa Garcia first met their daughter at a park on a rainy afternoon in March.

They brought their children, Tommy, 18, and Gracie, 7, and their puppy, Ruby. They brought bubbles, toy ponies and their hopes.

“We knew from the first meeting she had the right personality to fit in with our family. She’s spunky and outgoing,” Alisa Garcia said.

The Garcias also could see that the little girl wanted a mother and father of her own.

Alanna, 7, got just that Friday.

As the judge summoned the Garcias forward, Alanna followed, clutching the shiny new heart-shaped locket her parents had given her before coming to court. Inside are pictures of her new family. Her new sister, Gracie, wears a matching necklace.

Alanna grinned as the Garcias vowed to care for her as their own.

“Meet your new dad and mom,” Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Richard Thorpe told the girl after signing off on the adoption.

Alanna spun around, her brown eyes wide, and hugged her new dad and mom.

She was among 35 children adopted Friday at the county courthouse as part of National Adoption Day.

Adoptions generally are done behind closed doors, but on Friday families agreed to keep the doors open to share their celebrations.

Two courtrooms were dedicated to adoptions throughout the morning. Later, families were treated to refreshments and the kids were given free bike helmets, teddy bears and balloons.

“It’s one of the few times I can go out there knowing that I’m bringing good news, as opposed to bad news,” Thorpe said. “It’s my favorite part of judging.”

The judge told the adoptive parents Friday he was encouraged by their commitment and willingness to open up their homes and hearts to children in need.

“After reading these reports about you people, you renew my faith in mankind,” Thorpe said.

More than 300 locations around the country hosted similar celebrations to recognize the importance of adopting children of all ages, nationalities and abilities.

“The purpose is to bring awareness to the public about the need for children, especially in foster care, to get permanency in their life and to become part of a forever family,” Thorpe said.

In Washington more than 1,400 children in foster care are waiting to be adopted. There are nearly 130,000 children across the nation.

“No job is more important than that of a parent,” said Superior Court Judge David Kurtz, who oversaw adoptions Friday.

Luis and Alisa Garcia are raising children of their own. They wanted another child and decided to adopt.

Luis Garcia, who is from Puerto Rico, was raised by his great-aunt.

“I always felt so blessed by being adopted,” he said. “I am where I am because of it.”

The Garcias agreed that they wanted to adopt a Hispanic child and give the child the opportunity to stay connected to her Latin culture.

They tried to adopt a child in Puerto Rico four years ago but courts there give preference to families living in the country, Alisa Garcia said.

They began the arduous adoption process with the state in February 2007. Social workers visited their home, they took classes and they readied their children for the possibility of another sibling.

A year later, they met Alanna.

“There are completely needy children in our back yards … Their dreams are to have a family,” Alisa Garcia said. Alanna lived just 20 minutes away.

She had lived with a relative since she was 3. Her biological parents had given up their parental rights. She hasn’t had much stability in her life.

“This is so great for Alanna. She feels at ease with them. She has a sense of belonging,” Richelle Kronquist, the girl’s social worker, said.

Alanna called Luis and Alisa Garcia “Dad” and “Mom” after her first overnight stay. She’s been living with them since April.

Alanna and Gracie are inseparable. They sing and read and giggle together. They also squabble — like real sisters.

What does the word “adoption” mean to Alanna?

“Going to a different family,” she said. “And getting to stay with them for the rest of your life.”

Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.