Lenara

[Vaughn]

Our little girl turned 20 today. Lenara was still 12 when I met her, and has been a
sheer pleasure to raise and watch grow. She transitioned to the USA in the middle
of eighth grade, excelled in High School, and now is the lead esthetician at a men's
salon called Emerson Joseph, as she contemplates majoring in medicine.

I am so proud of her. Here she is, age 13, at our wedding reception, and below that,
as she looks today...





 

[Gator]

Your little princess has blossomed into a real beauty, with her life in front of her.

You are jutifiably proud of her.  I bet she is just as proud of you.

Well done! 

And to think some men are not interested in RW with children.  Children are the frosting on the cake if one has what it takes to be father.

[Vaughn]

And to think some men are not interested in RW with children. Children are the frosting on the cake if one has what it takes to be father.

I also wouldn't advise they consider a woman with child(ren) unless they feel it's their calling,
and have some parenting experience. The concept has its challenges for both spouses,
yet has been very rewarding for us.

[Admin]

Our little girl turned 20 today. Lenara was still 12 when I met her, and has been a
sheer pleasure to raise and watch grow. She transitioned to the USA in the middle
of eighth grade, excelled in High School, and now is the lead esthetician at a men's
salon called Emerson Joseph, as she contemplates majoring in medicine.

I am so proud of her. Here she is, age 13, at our wedding reception, and below that,
as she looks today...

 

Wow Vaughn - what a lovely young lady.

Please pass along birthday 'congratulations' from both Olya and me.

- Dan

[jj]

Vaughn,  Really great pictures. I know how you feel.  Please wish Lenara a "Happy Birthday"  from Marina and me. 

[Jet]

I'd like to echo what Gator said, the pride is entirely justifiable!
Parenting is very challenging, especially as a step-parent; but you're right about it being incredibly rewarding. I have no doubts that Lenara has enriched your life in much the same way Kolya has enriched mine. Congrats to you, and please send our warm regards to Lenara 

[viking]

Vaughn

I know exactly how you feel. Ready to burst with pride. They say the greatest accolade or title a man can receve is being called "Father". It's not an easy road but perhaps one of the most fufilling. And it lasts a lifetime. I wish you and your family the very best and congratulations to Lenara. She has grown from a child into a beautiful and accomplished woman.

[GoodOlBoy]

Congratulations Vaughn and Happy Birthday to your Lenara. You are a lucky man, 2 times (wife and daughter).

[Diplomacy]

Congrats to all of you Vaughn.  Happy birthday to Lenara, and she has done an amazing job with her life.  I am sure it has more than a little to do with positive influence and guidance from her parents. 

[Erwin]

Our little girl turned 20 today. Lenara was still 12 when I met her, and has been a
sheer pleasure to raise and watch grow. She transitioned to the USA in the middle
of eighth grade, excelled in High School, and now is the lead esthetician at a men's
salon called Emerson Joseph, as she contemplates majoring in medicine.

I am so proud of her. Here she is, age 13, at our wedding reception, and below that,
as she looks today...
 

Congratulation Vaughn and Happy Birthday to Lenara from my wife and I!

You are a very lucky man!

I know of one man in Denver who brought a woman and her daughter from Ukraine a few years ago when the daughter was only a little girl. He is not happy now because this girl, who apparently never likes him despite his efforts to the contrary, has apparently turned out to be a monster and tried to exert bad influences to her mother and set him up for various false accusations and charges. I told him that he, his wife and her daughter need to seek counseling ASAP.  His parents were happy when he found this woman.  Unfortunately, they passed away since then.  This woman and her daughter are the only family he got.  He deserves better, IMHO.

Best,

E

[Beaverpatrol]

Vaughn

 They say the greatest accolade or title a man can receve is being called "Father". It's not an easy road but perhaps one of the most fufilling. And it lasts a lifetime.

i agree. My step-sons are 19 and 15 yet. Thank You for your statement

My congratulation too for the young lady and her parents

[catzenmouse]

Vaw-Gun!

 Hope you've been practicing your "I've got lots of her past boyfriends buried in the backyard." speech! 

 I'll just echo what some others have said about these kids. Sergei is quite a "challenge" at times but we are both proud and amazed at how well he has transitioned and how he can switch from English to Russian mid sentence and never miss a beat.

Congratulations to you, E. and Lenara!

[Vaughn]

Thanks to all who responded - she was quite thrilled to hear from you.

It's good to know we have some more stepdads out there...
Ken, we just know you and Sergei probably spend time wrestling in the livingroom.
Beaver's got two teenage stepsons - sounds like half an infield to me.
Jet and Kolya puttin' up 3's at the Florida outdoor courts.

OK - picnic at Dan's home 4th of July. Bring your mitts.

One more before she turns 21...