Dads Share A Heartwarming Picture Of Their First Day After Adopting A Son
There’s nothing more important in life than family. When there are so many bad things happening in this world, everybody needs to feel loved and supported. Sadly, there are so many unfortunate children who didn’t get a chance to have the love and affection they needed while growing up. Growing up in an abusive family or somewhere where you don’t feel needed can affect your life forever turning it into a life-long battle of depression, suffering, and worse. This is why it is so important to give a chance to foster parents whose only wish is to make one kid’s life better than it was.
Recently, the Internet was in awe after two fathers shared an adorable picture online
Bored Panda has contacted two new parents to tell us more about their obstacles while adopting a child. “Gregg and I met in October of 2012 and our first date was dinner and a movie. After about 3 months of dating, I moved to Rhode Island to live with Gregg in his house. Over the course of the next few months, we talked about how much we both wanted a child and fatherhood, both incredibly nervous if we had what it took to be parents. We talked about surrogacy at length. We did a little research into the process and discovered it was 75-150 thousand for the full process. We both decided that instead of doing that, we could take that same money and make one kid’s life amazing.”
As we all can expect, the adoption process was definitely not easy
“We found out that Rhode Island was running a pilot program called Become an Anchor. It was a fast-forward track for people wishing to foster/adopt. On one weekend, we would be able to complete all the required classes for fostering. It was brutal! We started on a Friday night, checked into a hotel in Providence, and us as well as 300 other people were in classes for 6 hours – Friday night, 12 hours – Saturday and 8 hours – Sunday. We learned everything we could about state laws, the process, the support structures, etc. We laughed, we cried a lot listening to other kids’ stories, and we met some amazing people. After that, we scheduled our fire and home inspections and chose a foster agency to work with. After what seemed like a mountain of paperwork and hurdles, we were finally cleared for fostering.”
According to the family, the most difficult obstacle was choosing
Paul told Bored Panda that what was rather unsettling for them was the fact that the agency paired them with 5 children they believed were the most suitable for their family and told them to choose. “We felt surreal being faced with choices like we were picking out a dog or a cat. It was a little unsettling to think this is how it worked.”
“The first child was Gavin. He had a rough history of abuse across the gambit of types. He has ADHD, ODD, and PTSD. We were told right up front that he would be the most difficult child and would require the most time, attention, and patience. We were then presented with all the minimum facts of the remaining children. Even now, I don’t think we could tell you what it was. Something about Gavin’s story spoke to me, got stuck in my head and I couldn’t get it out.”
Paul says he was shocked by all the positive comments they received, “Shocked, Enamored, Humbled and proud. We had the shirts made because we thought they were funny and sweet. We had several family and friends show up for the adoption and we were going to Disney right after, so we figured why not have a little fun. I never in a million years would have thought it would have any attention and never expected it to go beyond our circle of friends. We have had our fair share of strange comments, hateful hurtful things ranging from he won’t grow up normal, he’s going to be picked on, and downright disturbing posts I won’t repeat. Nothing would change what we are doing and have done in this regard and I take a lot of love in thinking that perhaps some kid out there who is struggling with his/her sexuality or has same-sex parents sees this as something that is possible, something that is acceptable and nothing to be ashamed of.”
You can also check out the video of Gavin’s adoption day
Now, according to Paul, their son is “over the moon happy” and so are people online after seeing their photo
103Kviews
Share on FacebookChills running down my spine in recognition of true kindness and courage of beauty. WELL DONE DADS.
They look so happy and sweet together. :))) I only wish Disney would finally be so "brave" and choose more variety in their movies they make for children.
There's a rumor Elsa will have a gf in Frozen 2. i have hope!
Load More Replies...But of course 2 dads can't offer a child what a traditional family can? Look at the joy and love on their faces, love is love, regardless of genitalia.
He did but the funny part is he acts like one dad and looks more like the other so its a great mix.
Load More Replies...love is love is love. Family comes in so many forms. And this is just beautiful in every way.
Absolutely. That child's smile says it all. THANK YOU, new dads! You've given all of us a gift today -- so necessary in today's sad and broken environment. Mazel tov!!!!!!!!! :-):-). :-).
Load More Replies...Hope -- and two parents who made an admirable and honorable decision to take that $100 - $175,000 from pursuing surrogacy and decided to give a kid an amazing life. GREAT CALL. So glad they took the child specifically predicted to have the most issues bc it would have been harder to foster and adopt him out. Gavin got the best stents and our dads got the best child. Just beautiful.
the onion cutting ninja strikes again.... im so happy for you and im glad stories like yours get the popularity that they deserve. i wish people could only understand, share, promote and most importanly support love... i hope i get to see a world that love is being celebrated and not receive hate and bulling. you guys are making the world seem nicer and help all of us thank you 💜
oh that poor* kid, TWICE the dad jokes! *May they live a happy life together.
But immunity to yo mama jokes so it's a trade off. ;)
Load More Replies...This is beautiful. The expression of joy on their faces brightened my day by a lot.
It's pretty crazy that you have to go through so much to adopt, yet to have the kid in the first place all you need is a bottle of tequila, 2 people and a horizontal surface. Best of luck to the new family. I hope this kid has a magical turnaround. It's amazing what love can do.
And you don’t even really need a horizontal surface...
Load More Replies...Call me emo (right) but GOsh, this made me cry...There's sooo many children in this world who needs unconditional love and care! I love kids myself but I would't "create one" just because of my DNA- panic.. I rather give my love and life to those, aldready existing children who deserves to be loved. No matter what.
What a nice story! So many children are passed over for adoption because they aren’t babies! Now this little boy gets two caring parents. 😁
TES~ I agree. Strong family resemblance. Two dads, cousins, friends AND a dog! Wow. This is the best news I can remember hearing in ages and ages. Thank you so much, again, for posting and sharing your story with us. I'm better for knowing it. Have a ball!!!
I'm so happy for all three of you I could cry -- am crying. Yay for all three of you! So relieved for this child to find two stable loving parents thrilled to have him. God is good. I pray the deepest and richest blessings on y'all always. Pls keep us posted with more great pictures as life goes on -- maybe birthday pictures, T-ball, artwork, whatever he enjoys doing. CONGRATULATIONS!!
It's awful that such a young kid has PTSD. No wonder he was thrilled; his other homes must have been terrible! I am glad he was adopted by loving parents!
But at least he will know what it is to have two loving fathers. Gosh! There are so many orphans in this world who grow up In orphanages. Some grow up on the streets. It's wonderful that he has been adopted and has a family. Can't you see that? Would you rather he was left in the orphanage on the off chance that a heterosexual couple adopts him at some point? You are detached from reality and allowing your biases to keep you ignorant. Sad really. Hope you make no impact.
Load More Replies...Well he had a mom and a dad. And thats why we are here so....... Maybe thats not the right template. Pretty sure all kids in foster care have had moms and dads. Didnt really work out. May I ask how many kids you have fostered or adopted?.................. didnt think so.
Load More Replies...Yes...well observed (eyeroll) So what? That little boy looks like he has great parents; a family. Whether they're both male, both female, male & female, single etc. is irrelevant I'm sure to children looking for a place to call home. This article is beautiful & I agree wholeheartedly with the other comments. Spread love not hate :) I see two amazing dads and one kid that now has a chance of a brighter future due to his new parents
Load More Replies...Chills running down my spine in recognition of true kindness and courage of beauty. WELL DONE DADS.
They look so happy and sweet together. :))) I only wish Disney would finally be so "brave" and choose more variety in their movies they make for children.
There's a rumor Elsa will have a gf in Frozen 2. i have hope!
Load More Replies...But of course 2 dads can't offer a child what a traditional family can? Look at the joy and love on their faces, love is love, regardless of genitalia.
He did but the funny part is he acts like one dad and looks more like the other so its a great mix.
Load More Replies...love is love is love. Family comes in so many forms. And this is just beautiful in every way.
Absolutely. That child's smile says it all. THANK YOU, new dads! You've given all of us a gift today -- so necessary in today's sad and broken environment. Mazel tov!!!!!!!!! :-):-). :-).
Load More Replies...Hope -- and two parents who made an admirable and honorable decision to take that $100 - $175,000 from pursuing surrogacy and decided to give a kid an amazing life. GREAT CALL. So glad they took the child specifically predicted to have the most issues bc it would have been harder to foster and adopt him out. Gavin got the best stents and our dads got the best child. Just beautiful.
the onion cutting ninja strikes again.... im so happy for you and im glad stories like yours get the popularity that they deserve. i wish people could only understand, share, promote and most importanly support love... i hope i get to see a world that love is being celebrated and not receive hate and bulling. you guys are making the world seem nicer and help all of us thank you 💜
oh that poor* kid, TWICE the dad jokes! *May they live a happy life together.
But immunity to yo mama jokes so it's a trade off. ;)
Load More Replies...This is beautiful. The expression of joy on their faces brightened my day by a lot.
It's pretty crazy that you have to go through so much to adopt, yet to have the kid in the first place all you need is a bottle of tequila, 2 people and a horizontal surface. Best of luck to the new family. I hope this kid has a magical turnaround. It's amazing what love can do.
And you don’t even really need a horizontal surface...
Load More Replies...Call me emo (right) but GOsh, this made me cry...There's sooo many children in this world who needs unconditional love and care! I love kids myself but I would't "create one" just because of my DNA- panic.. I rather give my love and life to those, aldready existing children who deserves to be loved. No matter what.
What a nice story! So many children are passed over for adoption because they aren’t babies! Now this little boy gets two caring parents. 😁
TES~ I agree. Strong family resemblance. Two dads, cousins, friends AND a dog! Wow. This is the best news I can remember hearing in ages and ages. Thank you so much, again, for posting and sharing your story with us. I'm better for knowing it. Have a ball!!!
I'm so happy for all three of you I could cry -- am crying. Yay for all three of you! So relieved for this child to find two stable loving parents thrilled to have him. God is good. I pray the deepest and richest blessings on y'all always. Pls keep us posted with more great pictures as life goes on -- maybe birthday pictures, T-ball, artwork, whatever he enjoys doing. CONGRATULATIONS!!
It's awful that such a young kid has PTSD. No wonder he was thrilled; his other homes must have been terrible! I am glad he was adopted by loving parents!
But at least he will know what it is to have two loving fathers. Gosh! There are so many orphans in this world who grow up In orphanages. Some grow up on the streets. It's wonderful that he has been adopted and has a family. Can't you see that? Would you rather he was left in the orphanage on the off chance that a heterosexual couple adopts him at some point? You are detached from reality and allowing your biases to keep you ignorant. Sad really. Hope you make no impact.
Load More Replies...Well he had a mom and a dad. And thats why we are here so....... Maybe thats not the right template. Pretty sure all kids in foster care have had moms and dads. Didnt really work out. May I ask how many kids you have fostered or adopted?.................. didnt think so.
Load More Replies...Yes...well observed (eyeroll) So what? That little boy looks like he has great parents; a family. Whether they're both male, both female, male & female, single etc. is irrelevant I'm sure to children looking for a place to call home. This article is beautiful & I agree wholeheartedly with the other comments. Spread love not hate :) I see two amazing dads and one kid that now has a chance of a brighter future due to his new parents
Load More Replies...
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