These children go through so much, and he had only recently found someone to love him. Was it inappropriate in any way? What did his foster mother think? Continue reading to learn about what this brave young man did for his newfound mother!
Telling the Truth
One boy chose to speak up as the judge decided to give her final verdict. The whole room went silent when the young man stood up and asked if he could speak to the courtroom. Every person in the room tensed up to learn the truth, and the boy, filled with emotion, continued his plea.
Telling The Truth
First Date
Sara Cozad had always dreamed of being a foster mother and adopting tons of children from a young age. Her first date with Stuart Shank went well, but she made it clear that it was important. He loved that idea, and they soon got married to work on fulfilling her dream!
First Date
Babies and Toddlers
Overall, the young couple chose to foster toddlers and babies. Neither one felt that they could help older kids, and these little ones often stayed with the pair for a few days. Sara enjoyed this and had no complaints at all.
Babies And Toddlers
Not Enough Experience
Sara just didn’t believe she was experienced enough or skilled to handle older children at that time. However, she couldn’t have known that her next fostering option might turn her world upside down. What could possibly have happened?!
Not Enough Experience
Stole Their Hearts
The couple was comfortable when they got assigned to watch a 3-year-old boy over the weekend. Michael was the sweetest child, but it soon turned into a week, month, and a few years. That young man stole their hearts, but the situation took a troubling turn when they finally got a knock on the front door.
Stole Their Hearts
Emotional Embrace
Michael wasn’t the only child in his family. His 10-year-old brother was Dayshawn, and when they saw each other, they embraced and were filled with emotion. Sara saw the exchange and realized she had to do something that might interrupt her plans.
Emotional Embrace
Too Young
Sara was only 23 years old when it all unfolded, and that was just 13 years older than poor Dayshawn. She had never considered fostering older children because she worried she might do a bad job. However, she could not let those two grow up separately as brothers.
Too Young
Decisions
Overall, Sara had to think long and hard about taking Dayshawn into her home, as well. She hoped to care for these brothers who desperately needed a forever home. Then, things took a turn for the worse!
Decisions
Romantic Feelings
Sara had the support of her family and friends, who never questioned what she did. However, when she brought Dayshawn into her home, they felt uneasy. The two were incredibly close, and everyone wondered if he had romantic feelings for her.
Romantic Feelings
The Loving Family
Dayshawn struggled because he had no loving family. Once it was offered to him, he knew he had to take this opportunity and open his heart. He did what he could to show the couple how much he appreciated them, and that confused everyone. What was lurking in the shadows?!
The Loving Family
The Court Hearing
Stuart and Sara had to avoid the threat of someone taking Dayshawn and Michael away, so they chose to adopt them both. It was a long process and had taken quite a few years. Now, however, it was time to hear what the judge had to say.
The Court Hearing
Something to Say
Before the judge could render her verdict, Dayshawn stood up from his seat and spoke with a shaky voice. He said, “Excuse me, your honor! I have something to say if I could.” It shocked the entire courtroom; what did the judge do?!
Something To Say
Unpredictable
Dayshawn was 13 years old at the time, and Sara’s friends and family worried that he was hitting puberty. He often had unpredictable behavior, and everyone was quite concerned. However, he soon showed them all that they didn’t have to fear him.
Unpredictable
Silence
The room fell silent, and Stuart and Sara tensed up. Dayshawn continued by saying he had a confession to make to the courtroom. He went on and claimed that Sara, his mother, built a strong bond with him. The couple loved the brothers very much, and they were proud to be called sons.
Silence
Judge Filled with Emotion
The judge was quite moved by the love shown to her in the courtroom. In fact, it helped her make her decision, and she granted the adoption request. Did everyone feel the same way as this honorable judge, or were there problems later?
Judge Filled With Emotion
The Uproar
Once the judge gave her judgment, there was an emotional uproar from the crowd. However, they were crying tears of joy and weren’t upset at all. Each person had been moved by what they just witnessed and were so happy for the brothers.
The Uproar
Not Finished
Dayshawn convinced the judge with heartfelt words that he and his brother should be with Stuart and Sara. This was their forever home. As the judge wiped tears, she gave her approval, but the young man wasn’t done, knocking on the table to get their attention.
Not Finished
More Words
Overall, he continued speaking and said that they all loved each other and that this family was the best thing they’d had. He was glad to have those people in his life and be their son. Sara was already emotional and broke down completely after hearing this.
More Words
Right Where They Belonged
Dayshawn’s speech made everyone tear up again, and you could hear sniffles all through the courtroom once he finished. This was a truly emotional moment. Everyone instantly knew these brothers were where they needed to be!
Right Where They Belonged
Still Not Done
Stuart really tried to hold onto his composure and not cry, but Sara was beside him as a blubbering mess. She just couldn’t contain the tears. However, Dayshawn hadn’t finished his speech yet and had a few more things to say.
Still Not Done
Relief
The entire courtroom was crying, but Dayshawn continued with his speech. Now, he addressed his newly adopted parents instead of the judge. Finally, they could become legal guardians! This family was overjoyed with relief to know that they couldn’t get lost in the foster system.
Relief
Final Words
Clearly, Dayshawn was relieved about it all, too. He turned to Sara and Stuart, both in tears, and drove home his point. He said that if he could wish for anything, it would be to love those people forever.
Final Words
Remembering the Day
Sara was a complete emotional wreck at the time, but she later described what she had felt and what went through her mind on that August 2018 day. Each time she spoke about it, she teared up because she was so happy and couldn’t imagine her blessings.
Remembering The Day
The Rollercoaster
Overall, Sara confessed that it was the all-time best moment of her life, but her emotions were on a rollercoaster. She had a few mixed feelings about it all, but that couldn’t stop her from being happy at that time.
The Rollercoaster
Bittersweet
Sara and her husband were ecstatic that they were legal guardians for the two brothers, but Dayshawn’s speech was heartbreaking enough to bring sadness. In fact, Sara felt that no child should have to feel grateful for a family to love them; it should just be a given.
Bittersweet
Support
During the fateful day in that courtroom, Sara’s emotions were all over her face. However, they reflected in Stuart and the loyal supporters behind and all around her. Everyone supported this couple and deserved to witness the entire thing, though they all cried after hearing Dayshawn’s speech.
Support
Watching Their Fight
Stuart and Sara had staunch supporters who had been there throughout the entire event. They supported the couple from the beginning and continued to do so while they fought the battle for legal guardianship of the boys. It took over three years!
Watching Their Fight
That’s Not the End
Everyone watched while the family overcame every obstacle. They got attached to each other and finally got to be recognized legally as a family. However, that wasn’t the end of their story! What else could they possibly do?!
That’s Not The End
Final Details
The judge had finally made the ruling for Michael, Dayshawn, Stuart, and Sara to legally be a family. However, the couple felt that they had to square away one more thing before they could make it official. What did they do?
Final Details
Name Changes
This family was now recognized by the law, and they should share their last name. It was symbolic and crucial to cement the sons with their parents. Therefore, Michael and Dayshawn changed their last name and became Cozad’s, making the family whole!
Name Changes
The Limo
The new family walked out of the courtroom together to celebrate, and they saw a luxury limousine waiting to take them all home. Officially, Michael and Dayshawn were Sara and Stuart’s sons, so they needed to get to the house in style!
The Limo
Completely Thankful
Dayshawn was so incredibly thankful for his blessing and gave another small speech in the car. They rode around their city, exceptionally happy for what this day had brought. Still, supporters had one question for the couple and their new family.
Completely Thankful
Room for More
The adoption process was now over, so the couple’s family and friends wondered if they might open up their homes and hearts to other foster children. They had the time to discuss it, weighing all the pros and cons to make the right choice.
Room For More
Their Choice
Sara created a personal blog and explained their decision. During the adoption party, many people asked if they wanted to continue fostering with their adopted sons. They decided to do so and become a specialized home. What did that mean, though?
Their Choice
Spreading Awareness
LoveWhatMatters featured Sara’s blog. In it, she explained that the couple wanted to be a specialized foster home and focus their efforts on LGBTQ+ teens and teen mothers who were part of the foster system. Why was that their goal?
Spreading Awareness
A Family for All
Teen mothers had many issues that affected their schooling and other areas of their life. The same applied to LGBTQ+ teens in the area. This couple thought they could at least offer a loving place to be while they dealt with their problems head-on.
A Family For All
Committed
Sara wrote that they didn’t think they could parent those children better than others. However, it was so heartbreaking that the teen’s demographics made them sit in social worker offices for weeks or months because there were no homes available.
Committed
Never Stop
Stuart, Sara, and their sons were happy to be a family. However, she wasn’t done and continued to foster more children who required a loving family. With time, the couple realized that teenagers were a tad more rewarding because of their past traumas and stories.
Never Stop
Not Dangerous
Sara finally realized that fostering teens isn’t dangerous like most people think it is. They aren’t troublemakers or hurtful for the most part. In fact, she brought awareness of the situation in her blog and continues to write in it.
Not Dangerous
The Way Forward
Most people don’t realize that the adoption process is lengthy. Once they learn about it, they renege on the deal because they’re scared of the courtrooms and lawyers. Therefore, Sara has started putting materials together to simplify the process in every state.
The Way Forward
