More than 110,000 kids out of the 400,000 in foster care are waiting to be adopted in the United States. Some kids — especially older ones — wait years for their adoptions to be finalized. But when that day finally comes, many children feel like shouting it from the rooftops.
One 11-year-old boy from Arkansas opted to celebrate his big day in an extra special way. Luke invited his entire fourth grade class to his adoption finalization in court. His story is bound to make you smile.
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Luke's classmates watched his adoption on May 14.
On May 14, Luke was officially adopted. His entire fourth grade class witnessed the big event by watching a livestream of the court proceedings.
"I told my attorney that it would be really necessary for my class to see my adoption," he told Good Morning America. "So I was really excited about just having my class be part of where I'm heading next, you know?"
His adoptive parents, Cassie and Bradley Kissinger, felt an instant connection with him.
Cassie and Bradley Kissinger met Luke at a connection event hosted by the nonprofit organization Project Zero. "We started playing games at the event and those events can be a little awkward but it was actually not at all with [Luke]," Cassie told GMA.
"I just kind of jumped in and started helping him with things and we walked around and we talked a lot. We got lunch together. So all the awkwardness went away really quickly."
Luke has been in 25 different foster homes in four years.
In four years, Luke has spent time in 25 different foster homes. “Luke has faced so much heartbreak and trauma but he has the biggest heart, has worked so hard to improve behaviors and catch up in school, and is absolutely thriving,” Cassie told the Daily Mail.
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Now, he has a mom, dad, sister, and brother who love him.
In addition to his parents, Luke gained two siblings, Aiden, 11, and Alena, 14. Aiden told GMA that “it’s pretty exciting” to have a brother. "I mean, it gets annoying like other siblings, but we get along pretty well," he added.
Luke reflected on his classmates witnessing his adoption.
During an interview with K8 News, Luke reflected on his adoption. “That day was really special because now I don’t have to worry about moving around,” he told the local news station. Of having the support of his classmates, Luke said, “That is really exciting.”
