Tiemans honored in Washington, D.C.

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard

Pictured are members of the Tieman family, front row, from left, Rachael and Andreea. Back row, David, Diann, Michael, Marv and Kelly. (Photo provided)

Marv and Diann Tieman don’t see what all the fuss is about when they’re praised for adopting children. The Morrison couple says the love they show their adopted children is no different than the love they have for their natural-born kids.

“If everyone knew how you don’t think of your adoptive kids any differently than your own kids, I think there would be a lot more kids adopted,” said Marv. “We look at it like they’re our biological kids and that’s why it always seems strange to us when people make a big deal about us adopting.”

The Tiemans made a trip to Washington D.C. last week to be one of about 180 families across the nation recognized by Congress. The families were honored for their outstanding contributions toward the welfare of children in the U.S. foster care system and orphans around the globe.

Congressman Lincoln Davis nominated the Tiemans after learning they have adopted three children from Romania.

“I chose the Tiemans because I was inspired by their tireless efforts, sacrifices and faith,” said Davis. “Their story fills my heart with joy, and I am proud to be their voice, and the voice of countless others, in the United States Congress.”

The Tiemans have two biological children of their own, David and Kelly. It wasn’t until David was a senior at Warren County High School the Tiemans decided to adopt.

“We were watching ’20/20′ one night and the show was on Romanian orphanages,” said Marv. “After watching about 40 minutes of those kids and seeing how they were treated, it changed our lives. After the show, I looked over at Diann and said, ‘Are you ready to go get one?’ Six months later, we were over there.”

Michael, 16, is now at junior at WCHS. Rachael, 11, is a fifth-grader, while Andreea, 9, is a fourth-grader. Rachael was enrolled in the second grade at Hickory Creek Elementary just a couple weeks after coming over from Romania and she spoke virtually no English.

The Tiemans have also encouraged other Warren County residents to help. As a member of the Rotary Club of McMinnville, Marv spearheaded an effort that raised $44,000 to fix up one Romanian orphanage.

“We made sure the building had everything from beds to a dishwasher,” said Marv. “It could handle 15 babies at one time and we handled over 100 in all. Now that the laws have changed, it’s set up to keep mothers and their babies.”

In Washington, D.C., the Tiemans were honored by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. It is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the tens of thousands of foster children in this country and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes.

The ceremony was Sept. 13. Families were recognized from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“It really was a neat experience,” said Marv. “It’s something adoptive parents can share with other adoptive parents.”