Why is this happening to me? I cried my eight-year-old child, Ronald, in tears during a therapy session. His conversation melts my heart. He had been in foster care since he was four, and he was fed up from all these sessions. Although he was now placed in an adoptive home with me, he continued to face additional appointments, new faces, and so many delays.
This is the true story of many kids in adoption centers. They didn’t choose this life on their own; most of the time, this happens because their birth parents made a bad decision and a system that makes kids face bad options.
I started this path in 2015 at a Raise a Child event in Los Angeles. Being a single man, I was thrilled to learn I could adopt. I started my training sessions at Penny Lane Centers, and that’s when the fantastic journey of my life began.
Ronald was only 8 years old when he came to my house for the first time. From that first visit, we felt a strong bond. He even shared with his therapist the following day, “It feels as if we’re the s “me! “Because we felt a connection very well, we avoided many of the usual struggles.
Ronald thought that life would become simpler once he started living with me. However, adoption requires time. He had been hurt, ignored, and moved around a lot. He had been to five different schools, and the “term” math” can still upset him greatly. An earlier foster parent had compelled him to write lines for hours; now, he struggles with writing.
Following years of challeRonald’snald’s adoption was officially completed in January when he was eleven. It took forever to finish because his birth mother didn’t show any interest in Ronald.
On the morning of our adoption day, Ronald hugged me and said, “Today’s the day!” He felt thrilled, but I wouldn’t accept it until it occurred. We wear identical suits and ties. He smiled and said his tie was too tight.
They didn’t notice Ronald or offer him any congratulations at the courthouse. It was short and cool. Ronald embraced me firmly as the judge spoke the words that united us as a family. We both were delighted. Exiting the courthouse, he qui” ped, “Three years for just five mi” utes.” Yet those five minutes transformed everything.
Weeks later, we held an adoption celebration. Relatives, acquaintances, and individualsRonald’snald’s history gathered to commemorate. A few were acquainted with him before my meeting him. Despite wanting to escape and join his friends, Ronald shone as the show’s star.
For the first time, Ronald possessed a place that his friends could visit. He now had a best friend who was the first to show up. They enjoyed games, consumed cake, and shared laughter all day long.
That day, I gave Ronald a special gift: a custom bobblehead of us as Batman and Robin, featuring the p “rase “Family is F “rever” at the bottom. That evening, he embraced me and exclaimed, “This is the second-best day ever f “r me!” I asked him about the best option. He smiled and replied, “Adoptio,” Day.”
Raise A Child’s motto is: Let love define the word family. And for us, love genuinely does
