Couple with local ties adopts baby with Russian heritage

After spending two years and six months in the adoption process, the couple are home with their new baby... finally!
By HANNAH GRIFF
Student Journalist
On December 4th of 2009, Melissa and Francis Busch made an exciting trip to Russia to adopt their one-and-a-half year old son, Tristan Roman Busch. After spending two years and six months going through the stress of filling out adoption papers, letters of recommendation, medical examinations, and lots of financial work, the couple took all their determination and excitement of having a son to a three week adventure to Krasnoyarsk, Russia!
What had originally inspired the two to adopt from a foreign country was that they favored the adoption process in Russia: The Russian Ministry of Education matches you with a specific child instead of having to choose any one child from a mass of ideal children; like what is done in many of the former Soviet states. Russia also, unlike the United States, does not have Pro-Birth laws. They wanted the process to be complete without having to worry about the birth parent changing their mind. Francis had also acquired the idea from a coworker who had successfully undergone the process of adopting two children from the same adoption agency and orphanage. The idea became an official determination for the couple that triggered a...
Read the complete story in the February 11th edition.
PHOTOS: Tristan gives his mom a kiss during a Christmas family gathering, and hangs out with his new dad, Francis.