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Teen with Down Syndrome hugging two women.
Uplifting News

Mom Moves Away and Leaves Teen With Down Syndrome Behind - So His Best Friend Adopts Him

When a teen with Down syndrome was faced without a home, his best friend stepped in with an unexpected but beautiful offer.

Woman Stops Visiting Her Baby Daughter in the Hospital - So the Married Nurses Taking Care of Her Take Her In
Family

Woman Stops Visiting Her Baby Daughter in the Hospital - So the Married Nurses Taking Care of Her Take Her In

Taylor and Drew Deras have a special place in their hearts for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Methodist Women’s Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Not only is it where they both work as registered nurses, but it's also where they met and fell in love. And now? It's where they found their family too, adopting a little girl, Ella, who was once one of their patients. On the Brink of SurvivalElla was only 1 pound, 2 ounces when she was born in May 2021. A micro-preemie, she was roughly the size of a mango.Born months before her due date, at 23 weeks and one day, she faced a long stay in the NICU, and even then, her odds of survival were low. Knowing her complex health challenges, Taylor immediately signed up to be her consistent caregiver. Unable to breathe on her own, Ella spent months on a ventilator. "She was intubated for multiple months at a time," Taylor told ABC News. "She was just very sick. There [were] times where the doctors would tell us, 'Watch her. I don't know if she'll make it through the night tonight.'" Miraculously Ella survived. By the summer of 2021, Ella required less oxygen and was drinking from a bottle. Her biological mother, who was in her early twenties, started working more and visiting less. Unable to cope with Ella's complex medical needs, eventually she just stopped visiting altogether.In December 2021, Ella became a ward of the state. Becoming Foster Parents to a Medically Fragile ChildBy this time, Ella had spent eight months in the NICU and both Taylor and Drew had fallen in love with the tiny fighter. They both spent hours with her, holding her and reading to her. Terrified about what would happen to the medically fragile girl in the foster system, the couple made a bold choice. They reached out to Ella's social worker and asked to be her foster parents. “When Ella’s biological mom heard we were interested in fostering, she said, ‘I want Ella to go to you,’” Taylor said. “She trusted us with her."But Ella wasn't out of the woods yet. Just as the couple were preparing to bring her home, Ella's health took a nose dive. The left side of her heart was failing. Instead of going home, Ella was rushed to the Children's Nebraska.She needed a tracheostomy — a surgically created hole in her windpipe that provides an alternative airway for breathing. As a result, she could no longer eat on her own but had to be fed through a tube in her stomach.It also meant she would require round-the-clock care. Already committed, the couple refused to back out. "As a foster parent, it was just like, the guard that you had prior to protect yourself of not falling in love with someone else's child, it just fizzled away, and you're just like, 'OK, this child needs me and I need them,'" Drew said.Ella Comes HomeOn April 7, 2022, Ella finally came home. Because of her special medical needs, the couple had to hire a nurse to be with her when they couldn't. That summer, Ella's biological parents relinquished all parental rights. And on November 18, 2023, National Adoption Day, Ella, now two years old, came home...for good.In front of a crowd of 40 family and friends, Ella became Ella Deras. And Taylor and Drew officially became “mama” and “dad.”After the judge announced Ella’s new name, the courtroom was quiet. “All you could hear was Ella go, ‘Yay.’ It’s the one thing that brings me to tears every time.”Drew DerasToday, Ella is thriving. With the help of a number of therapists and specialists, she's meeting all her milestones. "Now, she's walking and talking and meeting developmental milestones that a 2-year-old would do. And she'll start preschool in the fall," Taylor shared.It Was Meant to BeTaylor believes it was all part of God's master plan. "There's no other way," she said. There isn't just one road to parenthood. Families come in all shapes and sizes and through all different means. For Taylor and Drew, their family came together when they least expected it and in a way they never saw coming. But now? They can't imagine life without their little Ella. "We just feel lucky that it gets to be for the rest of her life," Drew said. "We just love her so much."More from Goalcast:Man Finds Out His Ex-girlfriend Wants to Put Their Daughter Up for Adoption – Flies Across the World to Stop ItNurse Notices No One Shows Up to Take Care of 14-Year-Old and Her Triplets – So She Adopts Them AllSingle Man Adopts Sick Baby With No Parents – He Grows Up to Make History

Single Dad Receives Secret Letter From His Late Wife And It Forces Him to Keep an Even Bigger Secret
Uplifting News

Single Dad Receives Secret Letter From His Late Wife And It Forces Him to Keep an Even Bigger Secret

*Featured image contains photo by Arina Krasnikova and MART PRODUCTIONIn the wake of his beloved wife's passing, a newly-single father found himself facing an unexpected revelation that shook the very foundation of his world. It was a letter. Carefully penned by his late wife.For 10 long months he couldn't bring himself to look at the letter. He was terrified of what final words the pages may contain. When he finally mustered up the courage to read the letter — it was nothing like "ripping off the band-aid."It was so much worse.A Secret Truth He Could Scarcely Fathom@_mylittlethings___ / instagramAs he mustered the courage to finally unravel the contents of the letter, the man discovered a heart-wrenching confession from his late wife. There was no easy way to say it. His four-year-old son, the light of his life, his "whole world" — may not be his biological child.This was one secret she didn't want to take to her grave. In a moment of vulnerability, his deceased wife told her husband the truth. One fleeting indiscretion from half a decade earlier, threatened to change his world as he knew it."She told me how sorry she was that she didn’t have the guts to tell me this to my face when she was alive," he shared in an anonymous reddit thread.They say "the truth will set you free," but for this recently single dad, knowing his only son may not share his bloodline, felt like anything but.What Lengths Would He Go To?He was desperate to know the truth, but what if it destroyed him? While a big part of him wanted to let sleeping dogs lie, an even bigger part had to know the truth.Was the little boy he raised, even his — or did he belong to a perfect stranger?He faced a tough choice: stay in the dark or seek the truth, even if it hurt.He Took a DNA Test — And He Didn’t Tell a Soul the Results With bated breath, he took the plunge and underwent a DNA test, a decision he kept close to his heart. He didn't tell a soul...not even his son."Maybe I should not have got the paternity test done. Maybe it might be better to live in ignorance. But I just had to know."u/ThrowRAchanges_/ RedditWhen the paternity results came in, he couldn't bear to look at it. The next few days the results were in a sealed envelope, taunting him.Then one weekend, he organized for his son to stay with family so he could review the results in privacy, just in case.When he opened the letter he hadn't told a soul.Then he read the results, and the floodgates broke open. He didn't know where to go or who to tell. No one felt safe to share his secret with. So he turned to Reddit.Read His Full Story: Under the username u/ThrowRAchanges_, this widowed father took to the anonymous Reddit thread "Off My Chest" to share his heartbreaking story."The paternity test results came back a few days ago but I haven’t had the heart to look at them until now. My “darling” wife passed away 10 months ago. She wrote a letter for me before she died but I couldn’t bring myself to read it until now. She told me how sorry she was that she didn’t have the guts to tell me this to my face when she was alive. That there was a good chance my 4 year old son isn’t mine because she had a drunk one night stand with a stranger at her bachelorette party. Then fell pregnant soon after that, she couldn’t be sure who the father was because it happened only a few days before our weddingSo she thought she’d rather drop this bomb on my life when I could no longer confront her about it. Now that my son would only have one parent looking out for him and she’d have no idea how I would even react. Maybe I should not have got the paternity test done. Maybe it might be better to live in ignorance. But I just had to know. Now I do and I’m devastated. This doesn’t change how I feel about my son. He’s my whole world and he’s innocent. But boy does it hurt. There’s so much going on in my head right now. I haven’t stopped crying. Thank god my son is at my parents place for the day. I’d hate for him to see me like this.My heart is broken. Haven’t touched the bottle in 8 months. Trying hard not to right now for his sake. I just needed to let this all out. Don’t have it in me to tell anyone in my life about this right now."He Wasn’t His Biological Son — But That Didn’t MatterIn the end, the truth was out: He wasn't his son's biological father. Yet, amidst the revelations and uncertainties, one thing never changed — they were still father and son."This doesn’t change how I feel about my son. He’s my whole world and he’s innocent. But boy does it hurt."u/ThrowRAchanges_/ RedditBlood didn't define their relationship; it was the love, care, and commitment they had for each other that truly mattered. Despite the challenges and surprises life threw their way, this father and son proved that family isn't solely about genetics — it's about the enduring strength of the heart.What Would You Have Done?It's hard to know what we will do in a tough situation until we're in the moment.However, I think most of us would agree, this father did the right thing.u/mariuuq / RedditThey may not share any DNA but what they share is far greater. Family comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes. He Looked Forwards, Not BackwardsEven though his late wife's actions may be "unforgivable," after she passed away none of it mattered. There was no one left to hold accountable. In fact, the only person left to be accountable was himself.This one father decided to honor the living instead of resenting the dead. He didn't let his late wife's betrayal define his future or his son's for that matter.Instead of suppressing his feelings, he felt them. He didn't let "toxic positivity" make him feel guilty for feeling hurt and betrayed.The ironic twist is, that allowing himself to embrace these painful emotions, was the first step in being able to leave them behind and build a new life.More from Goalcast:9-Year-Old Girl Loses Her Mom – Years Later, She Pens a Message About Her Single DadPolice Officer Catches Single Dad Shoplifting for His Son – Decides on a Surprising “Punishment”Single Dad Delivers Pizza to Make Ends Meet – Then He Pulls Up to a Parking Lot to Find This

11-Year-Old Grabs Microphone at Fathers Wedding - Reveals the Truth About His New Wife
Uplifting News

11-Year-Old Grabs Microphone at Fathers Wedding - Reveals the Truth About His New Wife

Unfortunately, not everyone grows up with two parents. Sometimes, kids are raised by a single parent due to divorce or life circumstances. It can be hard, but the single-parent/child bond can also be an incredibly close one. When someone new enters the picture, it can mean a big period of adjustment.So, when one 11-year-old boy told the truth about how his dad’s new wife was there for him on their wedding day, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.A Beautiful SpeechIn a video shared to Newsnercom, an 11-year-old boy grabbed the microphone at his father’s wedding. At first, no one knew what he was going to say, but he was prepared. As everyone waited in anticipation, the boy began nervously reading from a prepared speech.“I feel very, very blessed being here today,” he began as his dad and new mom looked on. “Not only because I have such an amazing father, but because I get to see my father marry someone as equally amazing as him.”The proud father smiled, and his bride beamed as the boy continued. He explained how, when he first met Ashley, he was worried she wouldn’t like him very much because he thought she was just a “common friend” of his dad’s. When he realized she was more than a friend, he was a bit “grossed out” but quickly changed his mind.“She was very caring and treated my father well. Seeing my father happy around her made me understand that she was pretty cool,” he continued.A New Family of ThreeThe thoughtful kid also explained how, for years it was just him and his dad. He didn’t feel like they needed anyone else and that they always had a great time together. Then Ashley came around, and he had a big realization: they hadn't been complete until she joined their family.“It was different in a way that made us even stronger,” the wise boy continued, adding how his dad has always been a terrible cook and Ashley “saved” him from that.“With lots of love in my heart I just want to say thank you, Ashley, for everything. You make my dad a better person by enlightening our lives and being so welcoming. I always thought we were the ones welcoming you into our lives, but the truth is you opened your heart and welcomed the crazy Moderno boys into yours.”He added that now he has the “coolest” stepmom and step-grandmom. Then he wrapped it all up with a cheers. The family hugged and toasted together, celebrating their new life.Adapting to ChangeThis story is touching and heartfelt because it reminds us that family is more than just the traditional unit we see so often in media and pop culture. Families can be blended, adopted, or chosen, and sometimes, it isn’t until we participate in one of those things that we really feel as though we’ve found our people.This boy’s speech is also a great reminder that sometimes change really is a good thing. So if you’re struggling, try and see the positive in a situation and understand where and how it might be good for you, and even make you stronger. If an 11-year-old boy can do that (and give such a great speech about it!), certainly we can, too.More from Goalcast:Single Dad Reaches His Stepdaughter’s School for Mother’s Day Event – But He Wasn’t Dressed as Himself9-Year-Old Girl Loses Her Mom – Years Later, She Pens a Message About Her Single DadBride Makes Her New 4-Year-Old Stepson Sob by Reading the Wedding Vows She Had Specially Written for Him

Nurse Notices No One Shows Up to Take Care of 14-Year-Old and Her Triplets - So She Adopts Them All
Uplifting News

Nurse Notices No One Shows Up to Take Care of 14-Year-Old and Her Triplets - So She Adopts Them All

Every once in a while we hear a story so moving that it shakes us up and reminds us how much power we really have to put pure love into the world. NICU nurse Katrina Mullen, is one of those people who reminds us how doing the right thing — no questions asked — is the bravest thing we can do.Mullen was working at Community Hospital North, Indianapolis, when life threw her for a loop.Mullen's job was straightforward but not easy: give sick premature babies expert, around-the-clock care. Under such stressful working conditions, you'd think 'how much worse could a day on the job' be?For Katrina Mullen, when one teenager walked through those hospital doors to see her sick triplets stuck in incubators behind a glass? She realized it could be much worse. A 14 Year-Old-Girl Gave Birth to Triplets — 3 Months EarlyToday ShowWhen 14-year-old Shariya Small entered the NICU at Community Hospital North, she was just that — small. She kept her head down and she didn't take up a lot of space. To Nurse Mullen's trained eye, it seemed like Shariya Small was lost and alone, but she didn't realize how right she was.Like most teenagers, Small was just a young girl trying to keep her head above water. But unlike most teenagers, she had three mouths to feed."I was speechless. I was panicking, but I had no time to panic."Shariya Small, PEOPLEYes, at only 14 years old, Shariya Small became a mother of not one, not two, but three babies. To make matters more unmanageable, Small had also gone into labor unexpectedly at 26 weeks — only 6 months in to her pregnancy.Battling the Fight of Her LifeOne thing was for certain, Shariya's three babies were definitely fighters. After surviving an incredibly dangerous birth journey, her little ones — Serenitee, Samari, and Sarayah — held on to dear life.Small's babies were immediately dispatched to the emergency unit where they would stay under observation for quite sometime. During her frequent visits, Shariya Small minded her own business, but thankfully, not everyone was "minding" theirs.After 5 months of visiting her premature triplets, NICU nurse Mullen couldn't help but notice one thing about Shariya Small.Her Triplets Were Hospitalized for 5 MonthsLooking back, it's clear to Katrina Mullen that when Small came to visit her triplets in the hospital, something was very wrong with this picture.“She’d be there alone for days at a time sitting at her babies’ bedside.”Katrina MullenRight away, Mullen wanted to step in — but she didn't know how to. She definitely had questions she wanted answered. Who was taking care of Small? Why did she spend all her time alone? She never brought snacks with her...so when was she eating?Still Mullen didn't react. She stayed patient. She could tell Small was afraid and closed off. The then-eighth grader was reluctant to share any personal information about her family or life, but thankfully this was one nurse who didn't scare easy.“I knew if I gave her time, she’d likely open up to me.”Katrina MullenLittle did Mullen know just how right she was.A Nurse Told This Teen Mom One Secret — And It Changed EverythingRobert Scheer/IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORKDuring her routine hospital visits, Shariya Small shared how out of place she felt. “I felt like I couldn’t relate to all the other moms on the floor,” Small later told PEOPLE.But she would soon find out that there was someone who understood her situation better than she could have ever imagined.And it was the last person she expected.When the time was right, Nurse Mullen revealed to Small she too had been a teen mom, but had given her baby up for adoption."I wanted her to know that I was a teen mom, and that I knew how scary it was.” Katrina MullenAfter that, everything changed. Their shared experience made these two moms feel closer than ever. They bonded over their similar experiences, and Nurse Mullen was quick to share tips with Small when it came to taking care of her little ones.When the triplets were finally ready to leave the hospital, Mullen gave Small her phone number — little did she know how often Small would be calling.Needless to say, it caught her attention in all the right ways.A Home Visit Proved It Was Not a Place for Her to Raise BabiesIt quickly became clear Small didn't have much support at home. In fact, it's why she called so often for advice. On her day off Nurse Mullen couldn't keep her mind off of Shariya Small. So she decided to do something about it.She followed her instincts and thank goodness she did.Worried about her, Mullen visited Small, who lived an hour away with a family member. When Mullen arrived she was shocked at the living conditions Shariya Small and her three young babies were in.Mullen grew even more concerned when she noticed how underweight Small's son, Samari, was. Once again, her instincts were correct.After Mullen's visit, Samari would soon be hospitalized, leading Child Protective Services to step in. She Saved Her Family From the Foster Care SystemCourtesy Katrina MullenAfter assessing the situation, Child Protective Services decided that Small and her three infants should go into foster care. But Mullen knew Small's family would be torn apart. There was no way a foster family would take in a teenage girl and her three preemie babies. But she knew she would.Katrina Mullen was the fearless a single mother of five boys: Sevonté Sumpter-Bey, 23, Shai Sumpter-Bey, 22, SeQuayvion Sumpter-Bey, 16, ShaKovon Sumpter-Bey, 15 and JJ Mullen, 8."The caseworker said that Shariya and her babies were being removed from their home,” Mullen recalled. “And then she goes, ‘Shariya said she’d like to come live with you. Would you be willing?’”Katrina MullenAdding four more loved ones to her family was a no brainer. She took all the necessary training to become a foster parent just in time to intercept the conflict.Just Believing in Someone Can Change Their Life Even though Mullen could have easily turned her back on Small she didn't. She was already a single mom to 5 kids with an exhausting job. She could have easily said "it's out of my hands."But she did the exact opposite.“I just kept thinking, ‘I have to do this,'” Mullen explained. “I knew Shariya was intelligent and resilient and she just needed a safe place to put her roots. I knew it would be hard, but we’d figure it out.”Katrina MullenMullen didn't see this teenage mom and her premature triplets as a burden on her money and resources.She saw their predicament as an opportunity to change five lives: Shariya Smalls, the triplets, and her own.More from Goalcast:

Woman Finds Terrified 9-Year-Old Hiding in Nursing Home - Little Did She Know There Were More Surprises to Come
Uplifting News

Woman Finds Terrified 9-Year-Old Hiding in Nursing Home - Little Did She Know There Were More Surprises to Come

So many times in life, things that seem meant to be happen in the most unexpected ways. Coincidences or series of events can put us on an important path without us knowing it, leading to moments that almost seem predestined.One woman in Oklahoma is opening up about her experiences with that phenomenon, and how one surprise discovery led to a series of life-changing moments.The Surprise of a LifetimeSavanah Patt worked at a skilled nursing facility in Edmon, Oklahoma, taking care of senior residents and sharing her love. One day ten years ago, she was going about her regular routine when she came across something shocking.In one of the residents’ rooms, there was a tiny little girl hiding. It was her grandmother’s room, and the nine-year-old had been staying there for a week after a neighbor dropped her off. That neighbor had found Renlee living alone in a trailer with her older brother and the place was filthy. Her parents were nowhere to be found.“She looked at me, and she wouldn’t talk at all,” Patt told Oklahoma News 4. “She smelled terrible, she was very dirty, she didn’t have shoes.”A Rough UpbringingAccording to Renlee, the trailer had been overrun with cats and dogs. There were holes in the floor, and the place was filthy. Meanwhile, the little girl had been sent home from school with a severe case of lice and wasn’t allowed to return until she got rid of it.As for Renlee’s parents, they were struggling with addiction and unable to provide for their kids. Often, they would force them to panhandle on the streets for drug money with them.“They would take the food stamps and trade them for drugs,” Patt said. “They hoisted her into dumpsters, and they would go dumpster diving.”Things looked bad for the little girl, but she was about to be saved by a woman with an enormous heart.“I fell in love with her,” Patt said, revealing it was an easy decision to ask Renlee if she could be her mother.A Second SurpriseWith a steady home life and the love and security of Patt, Renlee thrived. She returned to school and learned what it was like to feel safe. Meanwhile, Patt had another surprise when she received a phone call, asking if she would also take in Renlee’s 13-year-old sister, an older sibling that Renlee hardly knew.Cheyanne had been traveling between relatives, acquaintances, and strangers since she was born, but the woman she had most recently stayed with no longer wanted her.“She had been left at a Circle K gas station in Yukon, Oklahoma,” Patt said. “Cheyanne didn’t know I was coming. [When] I pulled up she was sitting outside and she looked at me. I rolled down the window and she said, ‘What are you doing here?’ I said, ‘You want to live with me?’ She said, ‘You want me?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, girl.'”A Home Filled With LovePatt became a mother of two, and Cheyanne and Renlee rose to their true potential. They became the first in their family to graduate high school, and in a heartwarming twist, Renlee decided to pursue a nursing degree.According to the now-19-year-old, she wants to share love with others, just like her mom did with her and her sister.“I don’t know where I’d be without my mom, I don’t. I was born with meth and heroin, and pretty much every drug you can think of in my system as a baby,” she said. “Her finding me in a room, and now I’m going to be kind of working with people like that.”“People are like, ‘Oh, you saved them.’ No, no friends. They saved me because having them made me want to be better,” Patt said. “The attachment and bond that you get [when] you’re choosing to love, and they’re choosing to love is so beautiful.”Sharing Your LoveNot everyone is in a position to foster or adopt a child. (If you are, however, there are more than 390,000 children living in foster care in the U.S., and more than 113,000 kids who are eligible for adoption.) Still, this story reminds us that we should always lead with love.Perhaps you can help another family or children in need another way. Donations, hot meals, financially sponsoring someone or even volunteering your time are other positive ways to make a difference.Not everyone gets an equal start in life, and not everyone has the same opportunities. But if you’re lucky enough to have a little extra, spread the love and help others when you can. It doesn’t just make a difference in their lives, it can positively affect yours, too.More from Goalcast:Worker at Adoption Agency Refuses to Go to Her Grave With Important Secret — How Her Risky Confession Changed Two Lives Forever10-Year-Old Nobody Wanted to Adopt Is Sent to Live With Foster Family – This Would Completely Change Both Their LivesShe Gave Her Baby Up For Adoption On Thanksgiving – 50 Years Later, They Are Finally Reunited

Couple Hears Cats Fighting Outside - But What They Find in a Blanket Is Something Completely Different
Parenting

Couple Hears Cats Fighting Outside - But What They Find in a Blanket Is Something Completely Different

The road to parenthood isn't the same for everyone. Some people become parents by conceiving naturally, via surrogacy or adoption, or by becoming step-parents. As for others? Well, they find parenthood on the side of a literal road.The Unusual Road That Led a Florida Couple to ParenthoodLast January, the Polk Sheriff's Department received a 911 call in the wee hours of a Saturday morning about an abandoned newborn baby girl. A couple discovered her after they heard the sound of what they thought were cats screaming and fighting and went out to investigate. Turns out, it wasn't cats. It was a baby, just an hour old, wrapped up in an old blanket with the umbilical cord and placenta still attached.Left in a wooded area just off the side of the road in the Regal Loop Mobile Home Park, the baby was six and a half pounds and "very healthy" although she did sustain several insect bites.EMS took her to a nearby hospital and the Sheriff's office turned her over to the Department of Children and Families.Despite extensive efforts by PCSO detectives, the girl’s mother was never located or identified.When the baby's story first came out, she was known to the world as Angel Grace Lnu."She's as beautiful as an angel. It's by the grace of God she is not dead, and Lnu is: Last Name Unknown," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at the time she was discovered.But now — ten months and one day later — she's known by one ecstatic couple as "daughter.""Happy Gotcha Day"In a heartwarming Facebook post, the Sheriff's Department reveals that the little girl has been formally adopted. “We have an exciting update to share with you. Nearly one year ago, on January 28th, at about 1:47 in the morning, PCSO deputies rescued an abandoned newborn baby girl in Mulberry," the post began."The temperature outside was in the lower 50’s, and members of Polk County Fire Rescue checked the girl out and determined that, based on the girl’s temperature, she had been born about an hour before she was found," it continued."Fast forward ten months and one day -- the baby girl has officially been adopted."via Polk County Sheriff's Office Facebook PageThe new parents wish to remain anonymous, however, they did agree to have a couple of photos shared of the special day.“We are thrilled to share with you these photos from this morning of this precious angel with her new mom and dad, along with PCSO’s Detective Green and Sgt. Ryan. Mom & Dad wish to keep their names from being published,” the PCSO wrote, “but they allowed us to share these photos with everyone who followed this child’s story and prayed for her well-being.”The sweet pictures show the beaming couple with their new daughter adorably dressed in a pink dress, ruffled socks, pink shoes, and her hair in pigtails. A Happy BeginningDespite her rocky start, baby Angel is now in the arms of her very own angels, her adoptive parents. And while she may have been found all alone in the world, she's not anymore.The unusual road that led this Florida couple to parenthood may be unconventional but it's obvious that they've ended up exactly where they're supposed to be. And their journey? Is just beginning. And may their story encourage us to find love in unexpected places and embrace the extraordinary paths that lead to parenthood.More from Goalcast: Woman Sits Next to Pregnant Stranger on Flight – Ends Up Adopting Her Newborn BabyWoman Has a Dream About the Same Baby for Months – Fights to Adopt Her Husband’s Dead Ex-wife’s Son6 Siblings Were Separated in Foster Care For Over 3 Years – Then 2 Dads Adopted Them All

Woman Sits Next to Pregnant Stranger on Flight - Ends Up Adopting Her Newborn Baby
Uplifting News

Woman Sits Next to Pregnant Stranger on Flight - Ends Up Adopting Her Newborn Baby

They say that sometimes you can just be in the right place at the right time. That was most certainly the case for two strangers on an airplane a few years back when fate brought them together. Unbeknownst to either of these women at the time, their encounter would forever change both of their lives.A Routine FlightThere are multiple Delta flights from Atlanta to Raleigh, New Carolina, every single day. Yet one day in 2018, a woman named Temple Phipps was seated next to a woman named Samantha Snipes, who had missed her connecting flight and wound up on that one instead.The duo hit it off instantly and began sharing their stories. Snipes was eight months pregnant and had just left an abusive boyfriend. She thought maybe her partner would change after she told him she was pregnant, but it just got worse.“One night when he put his hands on me again, I was scared and insecure, and I wasn’t even sure how to live on my own at that point,” Snipes told ABC News. “The position I was in, [my baby] wasn't going to have a very good life. He was going to have a struggling life, and I didn't want any of that for him.”Phipps was sympathetic and revealed that at 42 years old, she had wanted to be a mother but was afraid her time to have a baby had passed. At the time, she was considering fostering or adopting, but as a single mother, all of the agencies she had spoken with passed her by.“Every time I would inquire, they'd said it ‘really needs to be a two-parent household,’” she recalled.A Fateful MeetingAs the plane touched down, the women exchanged numbers and said goodbye. A few days later, Snipes gave birth. She called Phipps and asked her to come visit. There, she asked Phipps if she wanted to adopt her son, Vaughn.“It just felt right talking with her and seeing her with the baby. She looked like she would be a great mother for him and she already looked like she loved him after holding him for an hour. The stuff that I wasn't feeling, she was feeling,” Snipes explained.After the adoption, Snipes stayed close by and continued to be in contact with the new family. She also began a photography company and wrote a blog about the experience. As for Phipps, she and Vaughn continue to make memories as he grows up.“I would just say to anybody, don't give up hope. I won the baby lottery for sure, miracles do happen and I think you can manifest those things. And this is what manifested,” Phipps added.A Complicated JourneyNot everyone’s journey to motherhood has a happy ending. But what’s so touching about this story is that one woman was able to become a mother in the most unexpected way, while someone who wasn’t ready to be a mom found a happy ending for her baby.It reminds those of us who want to be a parent that there is more than one way to be a mom or dad. Many families deal with infertility, while others, like Phipps, feel like the opportunity to have a child of their own has passed them by. But at the end of the day, there are also many children out there who are in need of a loving home.If being a mom or dad feels like your calling and you’re open to another way, this story of two fated women and an unborn baby is all the inspiration you need to always hold onto hope. More from Goalcast:Abandoned In Dumpster As Baby, He Vows To Make Adoptive Dad Proud – Now He’s A MillionaireWoman Has a Dream About the Same Baby for Months – Fights to Adopt Her Husband’s Dead Ex-wife’s Son10-Year-Old Nobody Wanted to Adopt Is Sent to Live With Foster Family – This Would Completely Change Both Their Lives

Man Who Was Born Addicted to Drugs Works at a Car Dealership - One Day, a Random Family Walks Out With More Than Just a Car
Uplifting News

Man Who Was Born Addicted to Drugs Works at a Car Dealership - One Day, a Random Family Walks Out With More Than Just a Car

Family comes in all shapes and sizes and isn’t necessarily the family you were born into. Sometimes, it’s the chosen family that stands by your side when things get tough and with whom you celebrate milestones and holidays.And sometimes, like in the case of this man, it can take some time and hardships to find your chosen family. Once you do find it, though, there’s nothing like it.A Hard UpbringingTwin brothers Daquane Shamar Jacobs and Tavon Lamar Jacobs had a harder childhood than most. Their biological mother used drugs and didn’t know she was pregnant. When they were born, they only weighed two pounds each and addicted to crack cocaine. Social services immediately sent them to foster care.When the boys were two, they were adopted by a family who changed their names to Davon and Tavon Woods. While a new family may have seemed like a blessing at the time, things grew harder from there.“We had a very difficult childhood with our adoptive family,” Davon explained to Love What Matters. “We got physically and verbally abused, we were never given a voice, and they never once told us they loved us. It felt like we were just a paycheck, but we were too young and afraid to tell anyone what was happening at home.”That upbringing led the boys into trouble as teens. Davon tried to take his own life several times, but ultimately, he couldn’t leave Tavon alone.A Wake-Up CallThings looked bad, but when Davon and Tavon’s 17-year-old brother was shot and killed in 2016, the twins knew they needed a fresh start. So they packed up and headed to Georgia, where they only wound up getting involved with local gangs.“We saw people get shot in front of us,” Davon recalled. “There were times we got guns drawn on us. We could’ve lost our lives.”That all changed one day when the boys’ sister and brother-in-law came to visit and asked if they wanted to join them at church.“Everything changed for us when we encountered God,” Davon continued. “We had always wanted to do good, but we never had direction. God gave us that direction and transformed our lives. We’ve learned He loves us more than any person ever could and fills the holes we’ve had in our hearts for so long.”Finding FamilyDavon began piecing his life together and took on several jobs. One of those jobs was at a car dealership, which is where he was working when he met the Wilkinson family. Davon told the family his story, and they were touched. They felt as though he was always supposed to have been in their lives, and he felt the same way.“For my birthday, they took me out to dinner, and from that day forward they adopted me into their family,” Davon says. “I spend holidays with them, and I know my kids will never be short on family with them around. It was very emotional to me because they gave me love that I’ve never received.”Today, Davon says he has gained parents, brothers, sisters, and a niece. “It goes to show: color doesn’t make you family, and neither does blood,” he added. “Love makes you family.”Helping Others Like ThemDavon and Tavon feel blessed for the good things God has given them in life, and their newfound purpose is to help other kids who are growing up like they did. Today, the brothers work to raise awareness surrounding the foster care system.Last year, they even went on a mission to walk 20 miles in every state to raise hope for and awareness of foster care children. Their main goal is to open transitional housing for kids who have aged out of foster care to give them the support they feel they never had.“We want to be able to transform their lives and get them on the right path because a lot of kids in foster care — once they age out — they lose every form of support,” Tavon told Fox News.Keeping FaithThings weren’t exactly easy for Davon and Tavon growing up, but they found faith, purpose, and family by pushing through. It’s an inspiring story that gives others the courage to make positive changes when their own lives seem hopeless and reminds us that family is what we make it.Spread love and community by embracing others even if they come from a different path. If your biological family is harmful or unable to sustain a healthy relationship, it’s okay to choose yourself and walk away. And above all, remember that even when things seem like they’ll never get better, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.More from Goalcast:Black Couple Adopts a White Child – Shows Everyone What It Means to Be Family6 Siblings Were Separated in Foster Care For Over 3 Years – Then 2 Dads Adopted Them All10-Year-Old Nobody Wanted to Adopt Is Sent to Live With Foster Family – This Would Completely Change Both Their Lives

Single Dad Reaches His Stepdaughters School for Mothers Day Event - But He Wasnt Dressed as Himself
Uplifting News

Single Dad Reaches His Stepdaughters School for Mothers Day Event - But He Wasnt Dressed as Himself

In a heartening tale from Thailand, a devoted single dad, Joe Lookphonbodee, became the hero of his daughter's Mother's Day celebrations in the most unexpected way.Mother’s Day in Thailand is a day of joyous celebrations, but for those without a mom, it can be a poignant reminder of absence. Not wanting his adopted daughter, Nong Cream, to feel left out, Joe, affectionately known as “Teacher Joe,” decided to step into a role traditionally reserved for moms.Why a Single Dad Decided to Dress Up as “Mom” for the Day In a delightful turn of events, Joe, a P.E. instructor at his daughter’s school, donned a wig and a gingham dress to attend Nong Cream's Mother's Day school event. In Thailand, Mother's Day is celebrated on August 12, marked by special ceremonies where students pay respects to their moms with jasmine flowers.Joe's motivation was simple but profound. He expressed, “When the school organizes Mother’s Day activities, I don’t want my child to have an inferiority complex. Personally, I’m not ashamed because I love my child.”A heartwarming video captures the essence of this extraordinary gesture. Dressed as “Mom” for the day, Joe's entrance is met with a warm embrace from his daughter. The joy on Nong Cream’s face is palpable as she hugs her dad, expressing gratitude for his creative approach to ensure she felt the love on Mother’s Day.In the video's caption, Joe playfully mentions, “'Mom' I can be for you, hahaha,” showcasing the lighthearted spirit with which he embraced this unconventional role.Joe’s act not only broke societal norms but also turned what could have been a challenging day into a cherished memory for both father and daughter. In Nong Cream’s words, “I don’t feel embarrassed. This year’s Mother’s Day, I want to say I love my father. Thank you, Dad, for raising me and making me happy.”How a Dad Proved the Importance of Showing UpThe video, shared widely, struck a chord with people globally, spreading smiles and admiration for Joe's unconditional love and commitment to his daughter. It is a testament to the extraordinary lengths parents go to ensure their children feel valued and included.“Even though I am a single father and her stepfather, I always tell Cream that she is my daughter, and I love her like my own biological child. I will do my best as both father and mother in order to take care of my girl,” Joe said as per Dexerto.In the tapestry of single parenthood, Joe Lookphonbodee’s story stands out as a vibrant thread, weaving love, creativity, and resilience. His dedication to making Mother’s Day special for Nong Cream not only showcases the power of unconventional gestures but also reinforces the idea that love transcends societal expectations.As we celebrate stories like Joe’s, may it inspire us all to embrace love in its myriad forms and appreciate the lengths parents go to bring joy to their children’s lives. Joe’s transformation into “Mom” is not just a playful act; it's a profound symbol of parental love that knows no boundaries.More from Goalcast:She Was Born in Prison and Then Raised by a Single Dad – Years Later, She’s Going to Harvard on a Full ScholarshipWoman Battling Alcoholism Can’t Take Care of Her 2 Kids – So Her Boyfriend of One Year Raises Them as a Single Dad21-Year-Old Single Dad Wakes Up at Midnight to Walk to Work Every Day – So His Co-workers Arrange a Special Surprise