For the past eight years, Julie Long and her family have opened their home to foster children. When they got the call to care for a newborn named Braelyn, they didn’t know how long he would stay with them. They loved him, of course, but no one expected that he would still be part of their lives years later — just in a different way than they imagined.
Eventually, Braelyn’s biological father was given full custody. But instead of cutting ties, he asked Julie if she would keep babysitting Braelyn while he worked. She happily agreed. That simple decision allowed a beautiful bond to continue growing between them.
He calls me Mama Julie, and it warms my heart,” Julie says, smiling. I didn’t give birth to him, but I’ve been like a mother. I’m the one who’s been there as a mother for as long as he can remember.
Julie is thankful that Braelyn’s dad lets her stay in his life. Watching him grow and being part of his world brings her so much joy.
“I’ve been there for all of his firsts,” she says. “He comes to me when he’s hurt, wants me to kiss his boo-boos, and gives me the biggest hugs.”
As a foster mom, Julie says the hardest part has always been saying goodbye. Letting go of a child you love deeply is never easy.
“It’s heartbreaking,” she says. “Every time we say goodbye, I grieve. I feel like pieces of my heart are out there, and those little ones don’t even know. Most of our foster children were under four, so they usually don’t remember us.”
But with Braelyn, it’s different. She didn’t have to say goodbye. He’s still a part of her family’s daily life. That has made the experience even more meaningful for everyone, for Julie, her family, and for Braelyn too.
Julie knows not every foster story ends this way. But she feels lucky that this one did. She treasures every moment she gets with him and holds their bond close to her heart.
