Here’s an adoption surprise that will tug at your heartstrings! Five years ago, Myke Rousell was dating Sarah, his current-wife. They quickly struck up a relationship with Camryn.
Each couple has two children from their former partners. While most people would think such an arrangement would be difficult, the couple managed to make it work.
Camryn and Mike immediately clicked when they met.
“I came into Camryn’s life when she was 5,” Myke, from Texas, said. “We were thick as thieves soon after me and her mom started dating. We just had so much in common.”
Camryn had grown so to love him that, when she was seven years of age, Myke asked if she could use his last name instead.
Myke agreed, and Camryn began using “Rousell” everywhere. However, she couldn’t use it at school because she needed to use her legal last name there.
Myke and Sarah agreed that Myke should begin the process of adopting Camryn as soon possible. After a long wait of three years, Camryn became his daughter in June 2021.
Camryn was ready for the parents to share their good news. They wanted it to be unexpected.
Myke showed up at Camryn’s school carrying a sign that read, “I gave you my heart five years ago, and now I give you my last name.” Sarah was there, too, holding a sign that read, “It’s official Camryn Rousell.”
Camryn was overcome with excitement as she walked down the hall, and noticed the signs. Camryn ran happily towards her dad and Myke took her into his arms, as they both wept. It was a moment they will never forget.
“Seeing Camryn’s face… She broke down, and in turn, I broke down,” Myke recalled.
Myke said that Camryn’s adoption was “a promise.”
“I promised that I would always be there for her, I would love her unconditionally, and that I just wasn’t in her life by accident,” he explained.
Myke also offered some advice to other step-parents.
“I understand what it feels like to go to baseball games, and to go to soccer games, and feel like a third wheel a lot of times,” he said. “But you show up anyway. I just want you to know that you are appreciated, you are valued, and you are making a difference in these kids’ lives. Our babies cannot have enough people in their corner.”
Watch Myke’s sweet adoption surprise in the video below.
Alecia, a 14-year-old girl, and Daniel Donaldson, her adoptive father, have a similar story.
Daniel, a youth coach in Haleyville (Alabama), mentored Alecia from 2019 to 2019. When he and his wife, Tiffany, learned about the teen’s foster care experience, the couple decided to make Alecia a part of their family.
Alecia has been with them for over a year, and they’ve always left the decision of being legally adopted up to her.
Alecia finally decided it was time to make the adoption official last year. To make it even more special, Alecia proposed an adoption to her dad surprise on his birthday.
Daniel was blindfolded by the family before they lined up to display a series of signs with the good news. Alecia was at the end of the line, carrying the most important sign that read, “Will you adopt me?”
Daniel took off his blindfold and immediately understood the meaning of the cards. Daniel then tightly hugged Alecia, thankful that she would be legally a “Donaldson” soon! Click here to learn more about Alecia’s adoption surprise.
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