*This story was submitted by Sadie Sampson to Love What Matters.
Families are not made by blood, they’re forged from love. Sadie and Jarvis Sampson know this firsthand.
Sadie and Jarvis were married in 2018 and have been looking forward to starting a family ever since. They were ready to fill up their home in Houston, Texas, with their very own children, but that was proving more difficult than they had expected.
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The Sampsons ordered vitamins, visited doctors, and took ovulation tests, all in an effort to conceive their own child. Nothing was working. Instead of children, the Sampsons had an abundance of negative pregnancy tests.
A friend called Sadie and Jarvis one day asking if they would foster a child for a while. This friend of theirs knew a couple who was pregnant and wanting to give the child up to foster care or adoption.
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Despite their interest in building a family, Sadie and Jarvis were hesitant at first. The two were not sure that they would be able to foster this child without getting attached to it, but the biological parents of the baby encouraged Sadie and Jarvis to commit, and finally the Sampsons agreed.
The caseworker overseeing the child’s case relayed to Sadie that the biological parents actually decided they didn’t just want Sadie and Jarvis to foster their child, they wanted them to adopt it.
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Sadie couldn’t believe what was happening: They were finally going to be parents. Still, they were nervous throughout the entire adoption process, worried that something would happen and they would be denied a child again. Fortunately, there was no reason for the worry.
The baby boy was born surrounded by his biological parents and his adoptive ones. He was named Ezra, and Sadie got to hold him immediately. She cradled him in her arms with a big smile on her face.
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Ezra was their son, but he didn’t look anything like them: Ezra is white, and Sadie and Jarvis are Black. But the difference in the color of their skin didn’t matter, all that mattered was that Sadie and Jarvis loved Ezra, and he knew it.
Their little family didn’t stop there. Thanks to an embryo donation, Ezra got two new sisters. Sadie carried them in her womb, and when they were born, the Sampsons named them Journee and Destinee. Like Ezra, the Sampson daughters were born white.
On social media, the Sampsons spread their story. They show their audience that families don’t need to look alike, they just need to love each other. And one thing’s for sure: Sadie and Jarvis love their children.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.