Ty and Catherine Rowe didn't envision adopting three siblings.
When they began considering adoption, they wanted a baby. They hoped to experience all the firsts: first words, first steps, first rejected spoonful of peas.
Then the Auburn couple looked through information about children available for adoption in Sacramento County – and noticed a lot of older children who needed homes.
In 2005, Catherine Rowe and a friend attended the Heart Gallery, an annual adoption awareness event. Photos of a set of siblings – a 7-year-old girl and her 3- and 5-year-old brothers – were among those displayed.
The Rowes had met the children once before, at a fall picnic intended to bring potential adoptive parents and children together.
The photos, however, sealed the family's fate.
Rowe was in love. "It was undeniable," she said.
On Nov. 18, 2006 – National Adoption Day – the Rowe family grew to five.
They've had a lot of firsts since then. Their daughter and sons had never seen snow, canoed or been to Disneyland. The Rowes asked that their children not be identified.
"You do have a lot of firsts," Ty Rowe said. "They might be different than other people's firsts, but you still have a lot."
The Heart Gallery, which aims at finding permanent homes for older children, sibling groups and children with special needs, is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month, which is National Adoption Month.
You can see professional photographs of children awaiting adoption at www. sacheartgallery.org, along with success story-type portraits of families who have adopted children featured in Heart Gallery exhibits.
"Every child deserves to grow up with a loving family, with people who they can depend on," said Karen Seeback Chang, president of the Heart Gallery's board of directors. "A forever family."
The Heart Gallery was the catalyst for Mark and Elizabeth Sheffield's decision to adopt three years ago. The couple attended the event, thinking they'd simply explore the idea of adoption. Instead, it proved to be the first step to adopting their daughter Kelly, now 11.
While Kelly was not among the children photographed that year, the event provided the Sheffields an opportunity to talk to other adoptive parents and social workers, and to learn more about the process.
"It brings it all right there," said Mark Sheffield.
Being an adoptive parent has brought challenges, but blessings too.
The endocrinologist said he's learned much over the past few years from his athletic daughter, now in the sixth grade and exposing her father daily to lessons in social studies and science.
"It's often a struggle. It's often rewarding. It's a lot of persistence, and it's a lot of devotion and dedication," Sheffield said.
Call The Bee's Niesha Lofing at (916) 321-1270.
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