Melanie and Me: A Chinese Daughter Transforms Her Adoptive Dad

About the Book

Since her adoption in China in 1998 at one year old, Melanie has turned life on its head for middle-aged Terry & Julie Garlock. She has brightened their life and helped them refocus on things that are genuinely important, like teaching a child to make alligator shadows with her fingers against a sunlit wall.

This book begins with Melanie’s adoption, and Dad describes the trials and rewards of fatherhood at 50 through a collection of short stories. The brief stories were written to encourage and support others involved in their own adoption journey.

If you are impatiently waiting for your own adoption to be completed, this book is for you. If you wonder about a parent bonding with an adopted child, this book is for you. If you have a spouse or relatives or friends who are somewhat reluctant about adoption, this book is for you AND them. If you wonder whether an adopted child can be loved as much as a biological child, this book is for you. If you are like me and most other Dads, a Neanderthal when it comes to articulating how you feel about your child, this book is especially for you.

But the truth is, ultimately this book is for Melanie. Someday when she can read, she will read not only the words but between the lines to discover she could not possibly be more loved if she were our biological child.

About the Author

Terry L. Garlock resides in Peachtree City, Georgia with his wife, Julie, and their daughter, Melanie. An advocate for adoption, he encourages and supports others as they seek to build a family through adoption, and this book represents part of that support. Terry is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Registered Investment Advisor. He helps business and individual clients accumulate and preserve family wealth through estate planning, retirement planning and investment strategies. He also helps seniors protect themselves and their family with Long Term Care coverage.