Vlada Andersen

A precocious 11 year old, little blonde headed, big blue eyed girl came off the escalator from the International Terminal at Hartsfield International Airport on February 5, 2004. She was accompanied by her new daddy, LYLE CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN, GAINESVILLE GA.

            There, anxiously awaiting their arrival, was her new adoptive mom BEVERLY BONNETTE ANDERSEN, GAINESVILLE GA., Bev’s BFF, Diane Quinn (Marlow) and Christy (the Andrersen’s “little girl with hair”) and a big bunch of red, white and blue balloons awaited their arrival.

            She hurriedly hugged her new mommy, “Auntie Diane”, and grabbed Christy from Mommy. (Christy wasn’t at all happy!) She was jabbering a mile a minute, in Russian. Auntie Diane always said she was “like she had been vaccinated with a phonograph needle”.

            Her new parents had met her February 2003 at age 10. The adoption took place December 22, 2003. She was adopted from a Christian adoption home outside of Kiev, Ukraine.

            On December 22, 2003 VLADISLAVA MELNIK became VLADA BONNETTE ANDERSEN. As soon as she went through customs at Hartsfield she became a US Citizen!!! IT WAS A VERY HAPPY TIME FOR ALL OF US.

            Vlada loved the big city of Kiev and was mesmerized by the Atlanta skyline. She was pointing at all the sights, saying in broken English “mom, look at dis (this), look at dat (that)”!! She had my cell phone in her hands. I wasn’t paying attention to what she was doing. I was just marveling and silently praying and thanking GOD that our long awaiting child was finally here.

            Vlada, Christy and I were sitting in the back seat. Lyle and Diane were in the front seat talking. My cell phone rang, I answered and a lady told me that she had gotten a call from this number. She asked what my emergency was. I told her I hadn’t called 9-1-1! After us going back and forth several times, me adamantly telling her I DID NOT CALL 9-1-1, a lightbulb of understanding went off in my head!!! VLADA HAD BEEN PLAYING WITH MY PHONE!!! I apologized profusely and immediately explained to Vlada that in American 9-1-1 is how you call for help.

            We had enrolled Vlada in some English classes before she arrived here but her English was very limited. She said “dah” (yes) and shook her head a lot. But years later she admitted she really didn’t understand us and we certainly only knew a couple Ukrainian/Russian words so communication was rather difficult for a while.

            VLADISLAVA MELNIK, VLADA BONNETTE ANDERSEN, was born November 12, 1992 in Kiev, Ukraine. Both parents died at a young age. She was sent to live with her maternal grandmother. When her grandmother unexpectedly passed away, family members placed her in Otchyi Dim (Father’s House). We heard about Father’s House at Free Chapel and were the first couple to adopt one of their children.

            Vlada was a graduate of North Hall High School, class of 2011. While at North Hall she was the Manager of the winning NH Trojan Football team, a job she loved! She also participated in the track and field team, throwing the shot put, discus, and was a member of DECA.

            She attended University of West Georgia, working as a Resident Assistant for two summers. She had a God given talent of art and attended Art Institute of Atlanta for two semesters. She worked at Gypsy Paws throughout high school and college. SHE LOVED DOGS!!!

Vlada was a member of Free Chapel.

            She inherited a very large family of 4 big brothers and 1 sister, all scattered throughout this big USA. Brothers: Ric (Gretchen) St. Davids, PA; Scott (Ann), Orem, Utah; Ed (Heidi), Ft. Worth TX; John (Karen) Antelope, CA; 1 sister, Jen(Dr. Summer Andersen), Murrayville, GA. Nieces/nephews, Tyler, Alex, Elias Moreno ( Sarabeth), Harrisen, Stensen, Yana, Mariana, Juliana, Ariana, Sidnee, Talen, Jaycee, Austin, Logen Andersen. Great Niece/nephew; Eliana, Jude Moreno, and beloved fur sisters, Meka and Ginger.

            She was a friend to all, never meeting a stranger. She was always there to listen to her friends. We sometimes lovingly referred to her as “Mother Teresa”. She was a warm, compassionate friend who is gone too soon.