Surya's Story
Surya was born at St. Michael's Home, a home for unwed mothers in Bangalore, India on 10/26/94. We found out that we were going to be her parents on Thanksgiving Day, 1994. We met her in Bangalore on 3/27/95, and after several postponed court dates, we were finally declared her legal guardians (India doesn't technically have adoptions ).
Due to additional difficulties obtaining her Indian passport, Mark needed to return to work and came back to the States after five weeks. Michelle remained with Surya, and left India with her two weeks later on Mother's Day, arriving home in Columbus on 5/15/95. Her U.S. visa listed her profession as "infant", which we found amusing. She was quite good at being an infant, and it was appropriate that the government recognized her professional status. We adopted Surya under Ohio law, and she has U.S. citizenship. She is officially and forever ours and we hers.
"Surya" is Hindi for "sun". We named her that because she is the light of our lives and our world revolves around her. Also because it is similar to my maternal grandmother's name of Sylvia. Her middle name is Margaret, which is Michelle's maternal grandmother's name.
Pictures of Surya
Click on one of the small images to see a larger version.
Surya in Sr. Shoba's arms at St. Michael's Home. December 1994 (age 6 weeks).
Michelle and Surya on Surya's first day away from St. Michael's, April 1995.
Surya at 1 year old.
Surya at 2 years old.
Surya at the CompuServe company picnic, Summer 1996
(age 1).
Surya on a carousel at the Franklin County Fair, Summer 1997
(age 2).
Surya in our living room, Summer 1997 (age 2).
Surya in our backyard, Summer 1997 (age 2).
Surya at Manhattan beach, September 1997 (age 2).
Surya at almost 3 years old, September 1997.
Mark and Surya with Tinker Toy swing they built, Fall 1997 (age 3).
Surya at the mall, October 1997 (age 3).
Surya and Mark at Hannukah, December 1997 (age 3).
Surya at the gym, June 1998 (age 3).
Surya buried in her sandbox, Summer 1998 (age 3).
Surya dressed as a butterfly for a school pageant, May 1999 (age 4).
Surya in a salwar-kameez with chunni, October 1999 (age 4).
Surya with a day-friend at the Buccleuch Park playground in New Brunswick, NJ, October 1999 (age 4).
Surya and Mark at the Buccleuch Park playground in New Brunswick, NJ, October 1999 (age 4).
Surya jumping in the ocean at Manhattan Beach, October 1999 (age 4).
Surya at Manhattan Beach, October 1999 (age 4).
Surya with our menorah on the 5th night of Hanukkah, December 1999 (age 5).
Surya with her favorite Hanukkah present, Bart Jr. from her Uncle Lee, December 1999 (age 5).
Surya bowling at a friend's birthday party, February 2000 (age 5).
Surya in circus garb at the circus, May 2000 (age 5).
Surya at the circus, May 2000 (age 5).
Surya in a dress, a truly rare occurance, May 2000 (age 5).
Surya on lion at Buccleuch Park in New Brunswick, NJ, June 2000 (age 5).
Surya upside-down at the Buccleuch Park playground in New Brunswick, NJ, June 2000 (age 5).
Surya's school portrait, September 2000 (age 5).
Surya playing in our backyard leaves, October 2000 (age 6).
Surya playing in our backyard leaves, October 2000 (age 6).
Surya playing in our backyard leaves, October 2000 (age 6).
Surya (middle) and friends dancing at her 8th birthday party, October 2002.
Surya as a Hogwarts student for Halloween, October 2002 (age 8).
Surya as a Hogwarts student for Halloween, October 2002 (age 8).
Surya (left) and fellow camper doing arts & crafts at summer camp, July 2003.
Surya (middle), a fellow camper, and a councelor at the Chiller Ice Skating Rink on a summer camp field trip, July 2003.
Surya (left) and some fellow campers at a skating rink on a summer camp field trip, July 2003.
Surya (front left), fellow campers, and a counselor at Wyandot Lake on a summer camp field trip, July 2003.
