It is just one of those things that seems totally out of reach until it becomes your reality.
My parents, April and Jason Grimes, have always been extraordinary people. April grew up in Kings Mountain, NC, and Jason in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Jason moved north at 20 and, in a twist of fate, met April at a phone booth in Gastonia, NC. Six weeks later, he proposed, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. They meet then they fell in love and got a love story which become true.
They married young, in 1997 April at 17, Jason at 21 and quickly began building their family. Alexis arrived in 1999, followed by me, Jordan, nearly two years later. My mom stayed home raising us while my dad worked long hours on a concrete crew. In 2006, they welcomed my youngest sister, Katie, completing our family of five. For years, that felt like enough but eventually, something shifted. Thing were about to be different.
April had started working at DSS in 2015, and her heart was drawn to advocating for children who couldn’t stand up for themselves. Becoming a social worker herself required a degree, and while juggling work, raising three kids, and school seemed impossible, the idea never fully left her. She dreamed of making thing to be different.
Jacob’s arrival was chaotic and overwhelming in the best way. He fit seamlessly into our family, bringing a joy none of us had realized we were missing. Though his mother’s journey continues separately, we maintain contact with his extended family, hoping one day he’ll know her story. His presence make our family complete happy giving a=us hope to live a beautiful bond family.
In March 2021, Jacob’s adoption was finalized. Holding him as our forever son was indescribable. He is curious, loving, full of energy, and has brought our family closer than ever. My dad jokes that Jacob is finally someone to carry on the family name, something only daughters had left him to worry about before.
He is the first grandson that carry his name. Today, my mom and I are both social workers-advocating for children just like Jacob. Through this journey, I have learned that family is not defined by blood, but by love, commitment, and the readiness of opening your heart. Jacob told us that family build with love hope and support.
