About To Make Their Dream Come True
Sarah Cozad, her husband and their two foster kids were in front of a judge just about to finish the adoption process. If everything went well, she and her husband would become the legal parents of the two wonderful boys they have loved since the moment they met.
As the everything was wrapping up, Dayshawn (the older of the boys) started to speak and Sarah instantly got teary-eyed. But why?
A Few Years Ago
Ever since she was a young girl, Sarah has always dreamed of becoming a foster mother. It had been the dream of her life to take care of children by giving them a family.
Her dream started to come true the moment she met Stuart Shank, her future husband, who happened to be okay with her decision. Can you believe she told him about her dreams during their first date?
Making Her Dream Happen
As soon as it became clear that they were made for each other, these two love birds continued to spend time together until they decided to tie the knot in 2014.
The honeymoon was as romantic as you can imagine and, like any of us would picture by now, shortly after their return they decided to make Sarah's dream of becoming a foster mother come true.
Getting Started
While it had always been her dream to be a foster mother, there were many details Sarah wasn't aware of yet. It happens to be that the adoption procedures are not always as simple as one would like.
For instance, she was almost certain that when the time came, she would become the mother of a baby or a toddler. But things aren't always as simple as one would hope them to be...
The First Steps
At the beginning of it all, Sarah and her husband began to foster young kids on a temporary basis. The reason for doing so was because this was the only way they felt comfortable with the process.
However, things took a turn the moment they met Michael. They were supposed to keep him only for a week, but destiny had other plans.
Unexpected Visit
Isn't it incredible how a single unexpected visit can change your whole world? We bet this is what this family thought when they received a visit from Michael's brother, Dayshawn.
The moment they saw each other, both boys were filled with happiness. Cozad and Shank realized that they simply couldn't keep the boys apart.
A Life-Changing Decision
As if becoming parents of Michael wasn't enough, Sarah and her husband were now facing a real life-changing decision. If they decided to take in Dayshawn as well, they would become parents of a child who didn't fit into any of the requirements they had in mind.
The challenges ahead were many and they weren't sure whether they were ready to face them or not. Was two kids too much? What did they do?
Getting To Know Each Other
If they were serious about the family they wanted to start, Sarah knew she would have to start bonding with her potential new son. This made things simpler for her and her husband.
Their goal had always been not only to take care of children, but also to help them reconnect with any family they had. After seeing how the two brothers bonded together, they knew there was a single possible ending.
A New Path
So, after witnessing the happy reunion between the two brothers, the couple decided to make some changes to their original plan.
In order to keep the two boys together and to properly start their life as a family of four, they set off on a journey towards the adoption and reunification of the boys. But of course, this wouldn't be easy.
The Next Step
As you can picture, there were challenges to face before becoming a family. Cozak and Shank were set on making their new goal a reality but, unfortunately for them, the reunification process was strenuous.
They had known from the start that this second adoption process would be difficult. But at the same time, there were positive things that came out of this situation.
Patience
As Cozad described on their blog ('Love What Matters'), this long process taught them the importance of patience and how you always have to make every moment count.
This ordeal was stressful for her and her husband, yet it made them become more determined about the kind of parents they wanted to be for those boys.
Good Things Come For Those Who Wait
After waiting and waiting for months, the couple and the boys would finally get their happy ending. The date was set and they would finally become a family, officially. The excruciating wait was going to be over by August of 2018.
However, there was a detail no one had previously considered. This unexpected announcement would not only shock everyone but also make Cozad cry!
An Unexpected Turn
Just when the family and everyone in the room had thought the hearing was near its end, the judge decided to ask everyone there a single question. He asked if they thought Cozad and Shank wanted the adoption to go forward.
As they were waiting to hear an affirmative answer and, this way, end the adoption hearing and all legal proceedings, someone's answer managed to shock everyone with the words that came out of their mouth.
Dayshawn
The oldest of the boys felt compelled to answer the judge's question. Everyone thought his reaction was pretty adorable when he said that he thought they all loved them.
After hearing his answer, people present started to laugh. But they didn't know that the boy had much more to say regarding the adoption.
Heartfelt Words
Dayshawn wanted people to know that they loved their parents and the family they had become. He wanted not everyone but also his parents to hear how they felt about them.
Both boys wanted the whole court room to learn how happy their lives were. No one asked them to say this, yet they wanted their parents to know how glad Dayshawn and his brother felt to call them mom and dad.
A Mother's Reaction
Cozad couldn't contain her happiness when she heard what her son had to say. Of course, she knew the boys loved her and her husband, and was aware of how much they wanted them to become their parents.
However, little did she know that Dayshawn wanted to world to know it as well. She still couldn't keep the tears from falling when her oldest son had something else to add...
What's In A Boy's Heart...
Both Michael and Dayshawn knew how much the couple wanted to adopt them and how much becoming their parents meant for them. After everything they had gone through together, they just knew their story had to have its happy ending.
That's why the older brother decided it was his duty to communicate his feelings to his parents. He said that if he could ask for anything in the world, his wish would be to love them for the rest of his life.
Changing Their Last Name
After such a moving situation, there was nothing left to do but to celebrate. Well... There was another thing to do before celebrating, actually. It was time to change Michael and Dayshawn's last name.
Now, both boys have taken Shank's surname and are proud to introduce themselves as Sarah and Stuart's sons.
Celebrating A New Life
Now that there were no more legal proceedings on the horizon, the only worry on their mind was how to celebrate becoming a family. The couple didn't hesitate and decided to throw an amazing party for their kids and for their friends.
They wanted everyone to know how happy they felt and how excited they were now that they had officially became a family.
What Are They Up To Now?
They are now a happy family who is still fostering children. That's right - the couple and the boys have been welcoming more foster children and making sure they feel not only safe and sound, but also at home.
And they could not be happier, since they have proved to be a loving family, ready to share all their love and affection with those who need it the most.