Back home, Diane admitted her fear of rejection, terrified I would send her away if I knew the truth. I held her close and promised nothing—not even the shadow of Dylan’s betrayal—would ever change the fact that she was my daughter.
The next morning, we visited Dylan’s grave. I let myself feel anger, grief, and heartbreak. But looking at Diane, I knew the universe had brought us together. She was the piece of him I had prayed for, and together we could build a future rooted in truth, love, and choice.
Older children in foster care often face long odds. In 2022, nearly 391,000 kids waited for adoption in the U.S., and only about 10% of those over 12 found permanent homes. Diane could have “aged out” without ever finding her family—but we found each other, defying the statistics, proving that love and patience can rewrite even the hardest stories.
If this story touched you, share it—because every child deserves a chance at a family, no matter their age.