Mandi and Tyler Palmer were feeling nervous as they sat in the courtroom listening to the judge who was reading the adoption decree.
Their anxiety faded right away when the child was finally pronounced theirs. Everybody became teary as the little boy started clapping and happily yelled out one word.
The couple had always wanted to have kids since they got married in 2014. However, due to Chron’s disease, Mandi was not able to conceive. “That’s when we started looking into other options and we were talking about adoption and we kept hearing our county’s commercial for the need of foster parents in our area,” she shared.
“We were scared. We kind of danced around the idea for a little bit. Then we prayed on it, and we just felt like God pushed us to do it.”
As soon as they received their license as foster parents, a life-changing surprise was already waiting for them!
“Once we got licensed as foster-to-adopt parents, that week, we got the phone call for Hunter. He was 8 days old,” the 33-year-old expressed. “We went and picked him up at Children’s Services. We brought him home and we went through the roller coaster ride of foster care for that entire year.”
After fostering for 16 months, the couple decided to adopt little Hunter. On December 18, Mandi and Tyler went to a courthouse to sign all paperwork for adoption.
“It was very emotional, in a good way,” Mandi shared. “We had all of our family and friends there. At the end of the court process, the judge announced [Hunter’s] new legal name. And they read the adoption decree and that’s when Hunter looked at my husband and he shouted out, ‘Dad!’
“He just started clapping and everybody just started crying. It was so emotional. It’s definitely rewarding. It’s nice to look in his eyes now and not have to worry that he’s ever gonna have to leave us again.”
“On adoption day, it’s almost like a ton of bricks just came off our chest. We now know that he’s never leaving us. He’ll always be safe and loved with us. So that in itself is rewarding,” she continued.
The couple also shared that through fostering and adopting their little fella, they have learned something incredible.
“We have learned that family isn’t about DNA. It’s about love!”
We are glad that this couple finally fulfilled their dream, and adorable Hunter has a loving and caring family.
What are your thoughts on this? Are you glad that Hunter has a wonderful home? Do you agree that family not only just about blood, but also LOVE? Let us know in the comments section below!