“Today, I witnessed a fairy tale come true.”
The journey to adoption can be a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with challenges and moments of sheer joy. It often requires not just a heart full of love but also a supportive community. When Laura Evans officially adopted her 5-year-old daughter, Lily Grace, on March 7th, she made it a point to include everyone who played a role in their story in a heartfelt photoshoot.
Laura, along with her sister-in-law who also happens to be a photographer in the charming town of Wilmington, North Carolina, came up with this brilliant idea. On the big day, they took turns capturing the smiles of every person who supported them through the process. “I only snapped a few because I wanted to soak in every moment,” Laura shared. The resulting images feature the judge, caseworker, grandparents, aunts, cute little cousins, and even best friends. She later posted these touching photos on Facebook to honor her incredible support system.
“Today was monumental for me and Lily, but it wasn’t just about the two of us,” Laura wrote. “We’ve all heard the saying, ‘it takes a village,’ and it truly does!” She added, “I knew when I signed up for foster care that it came with heartache and challenges. But my friends and family didn’t sign those papers; I did. Still, they stood by me through every twist and turn.”
After fostering Lily for just over a year, the two officially became a family. Following the adoption ceremony, Laura had everyone take a photo as part of her ‘village.’
The images are filled with joy: the judge with a beaming smile holding a sign that says, “I saw a happy ending today.” The adoption attorney proudly displays a sign proclaiming, “Sign, sealed, delivered, she’s yours.” There’s even a smiling social worker, dear friends, and grandparents holding a sign that reads, “Today we welcomed our sixth grandchild.”
Laura’s aunts traveled hours to be there, proudly holding a sign stating, “Today we were reminded that family is more than biology.” And the adorable cousins, who now have another girl cousin, held up a sign saying, “Today we’re still outnumbered.”
While the day was all about Lily and celebrating her, Laura emphasized how important it was to acknowledge the people who stood by them. “We often focus on big accomplishments in life but forget to express gratitude to those who help us achieve them,” she explained. “I signed up for the highs and lows of foster care, and these amazing people are still here.”
Though Laura never envisioned herself as a foster mom, the desire to become a parent became clearer after losing a cherished friend to breast cancer. Reflecting on her journey, she thought, “Why wait for life to happen? If I want to be a mom, I should take action.” She made a promise to herself that if she wasn’t married by 35, she would pursue motherhood on her own. On March 7th, just a week shy of her 36th birthday, Laura became a mom. “Funny how everything fell into place; it’s like fate was at work,” she mused.
In a touching moment, there’s Laura with her daughter, Lily, planting a kiss on her cheek, and Lily, embraced in love, officially a part of her forever family.
As for Lily’s name, Laura explains it carries a special significance. Changing her daughter’s birth name was a challenging decision, one that involved careful consideration and discussions with Lily. Ultimately, it felt right to Laura, who recalls how Lily was the very first child she ever fostered. “She kept coming in and out of my life; I say she flew into my heart and made it her home,” Laura smiled. “She’s my little bird.”
Since sharing these heartwarming photos, Laura’s story has gone viral, resonating with many. “It’s incredible and humbling,” she said, noting the messages of gratitude she’s received from other adoptive parents and individuals who were adopted. “I never expected this to be so healing for adopted kids, which is pretty neat.”
While initially anxious about sharing her daughter’s images widely, Laura believes if it can inspire even one person to foster, it’s worth it. “I truly hope others will consider fostering. It’s tough, and things can go wrong, but the way people come together for the sake of a child is beautiful.”
At the end of our chat, I expressed how amazing I thought Laura was. In her humble manner, she replied, “When people call me ‘amazing’ or say I’m changing lives, they don’t realize these kids have changed mine more than I could ever change theirs.” She added with a laugh, “It’s easy to live for ourselves, but living for others brings the greatest rewards.”
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Summary
Laura Evans celebrates her daughter Lily’s adoption with a heartwarming photoshoot that includes everyone who supported them throughout the journey. This touching story highlights the importance of community in the adoption process and reflects the beauty of building a family through love and resilience.