Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a father who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a man and a father. Above all, the Dad of the Month is dedicated to his children. Rich or poor, famous or not, he shines as an example of what fathering is all about.

Our choice for August is Ed Berry, father of two children adopted from Russia!

Ed Berry already had grown children when he married Tracy. During the first years of their marriage, their professional lives and happy union kept them satisfied. But as the years went on they felt something was missing -- children of their own. Ed had a vasectomy years earlier, which meant biological children were not an option. Eventually, their undeniable desire for kids led them to explore foreign adoption.

Journey to Russia
After countless hassles, mounds of paperwork and delays, the Berry’s made a difficult journey thousands of miles away to Russia to claim their daughter. As a result of their patience, 2-year-old Yana became a member of their family.

The Berry’s were overwhelmed with happiness at the addition to their family. But Yana needed to have a full-time care provider. “Before Yana arrived, both Tracy and I had very demanding jobs,” says Berry. “Once we decided to adopt, I chose to be a stay-at-home dad so Tracy could continue her job which required that she travel two to three nights per week. It was a great start for Yana and we believe really helped her make a smooth transition to our family.” Half a year later Berry was ready to return to the workplace. “I went back to work, but Yana and I had six great months together,” he says.

Ed Berry’s philosophy on life has changed since they adopted Yana. “I once felt that there was an order to life. Have kids when you are young, work hard and amass wealth to enjoy retirement and then spend the years after the kids have gone to college in a life of well-deserved self-indulgence,” he says. “I now recognize that we live longer than our fathers did, we have more energy and having kids gives you a wonderful purpose in later life.”

Another Journey
Three years after Yana toddled into their lives, the Berry’s knew they were ready to expand their family once again. After swimming through seas of paperwork and negotiating with the Russian government, the Berry’s were rewarded with permission to adopt a Russian boy. The Berry’s returned June 27, 2001 from Russia with Dimitri. Ed Berry was boasting from the first day they brought him home. “He is such a beautiful, healthy child,” Berry says. “We are so lucky!”

The Berry’s know how arduous foreign adoption can be. But for them it was all worth it. “We have also been amazed at the number of people that think we are some kind of saints for adopting children from Russia,” he says. “While this is perceived to be a noble act by others, we have been so blessed by having Yana and Dima in our lives that we do not feel noble at all.”