Lifelong Relationships

by Teri Hartlage Violi ‘90

I walked on the campus of Centre College excited, scared, eager, and anxious. I felt confident that Centre would provide wonderful academic and athletic experiences. However

I have to admit that as an 18-year-old freshman it never crossed my mind that I would meet my future husband at Centre, nor that I would make a friend who would one day travel halfway across the world for me.

Darrin Violi ’88 and I started dating in 1987 and married in August 1992. Although we have had a wonderful marriage, we were missing one thing . . . a child. After much discussion, we decided that we would pursue international adoption and adopt a daughter from China.

There was just one problem with our plan. I would probably have to make the trip alone. Darrin has a solo practice as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in the small town of Shelbyville, Ky. Getting two consecutive weeks off to travel to China to bring our little girl home would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Then one very dear Centre friend, Amy Ray Jordan ’90, offered to go with me.

Amy and her husband, Shawn Jordan ’90, would have to make huge family sacrifices for her trip to be a possibility. Who would help Shawn with their three children (ages 10, 8, and 5)? Would Amy be willing to get all of the immunizations necessary to travel to China? How could we plan this trip of a lifetime when I live in Kentucky and she lives in Michigan? Would we be able to get along in another country? Throw in the fact that a baby would be the center of our attention, and it was a scary thought, but Amy was ready to go.

Aug. 4, 2004, was a wonderful day. Darrin accepted a call from our adoption agency explaining that our referral was in. (A referral is a picture of the little girl China has chosen for you with a photo and basic information about the child.) Much to our surprise, we had not one referral, but two. China had asked if we would like to adopt 15-month-old twin girls from Ruijin City in Jiangxi Province.

Although Darrin had not thought he would be able to go to China at all, he decided to travel with Amy and me during the first week. The three of us climbed the Great Wall together, walked throughout Tiananmen Square, and toured the Forbidden City. However, nothing can compare to the excitement we felt when Jin Li Huan (now Edith Lin Huan) and Jin Li Xi (now Klarer Rose Xi) were handed to Darrin and me while Amy filmed the entire event. All three of us shed tears on that emotional day.

Amy never questioned her role in our adoption. She willing did all our grunt work such as getting food ready for the girls, preparing the girls’ baths, finding diapers in the middle of the night, and helping to strap the girls in the baby carriers, as well as listening to us talk relentlessly about our beautiful daughters. She defines a true friend.

Few freshmen walking on Centre’s campus for the first time doubt the strong education they will receive. Those of us who were also fortunate enough to play college sports quickly realized the competitive drive that Centre’s teams offer. However, I am here to attest to the lifelong relationships that will be formed at Centre. My wish is that all Centre students will find their own “Auntie Amy” for their children.

And to Auntie Amy, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Teri Hartlage Violi ’90 played on two “final four” basketball teams at Centre and now works part time as a registered nurse. She and husband Darrin Violi ’88 live in Simpsonville, Ky., with their twins, Edie and Klarer. Her e-mail address is thvioli@yahoo.com.

—D.F.J.

Centrepiece
Centre College
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Danville, KY 40422

Phone: (859) 238-5717
Fax: (859) 238-5723
E-mail: alumnews@centre.edu
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