Like many foster children who "age out" of the system, 23-year-old John had given up hope of ever being adopted. Then he met Mark Hauck and his partner, Tim Ferraro, who became his friends ... and later, parents:
The soda shot out of John's nose when Mark asked the question. He thought that maybe he hadn't heard Mark correctly.
"We'd like you to be our son," Mark offered. "We'll leave it up to you to decide."
But John didn't have an answer. He asked for a few days to think about his decision. At first, John grew angry when he thought about their offer to adopt him.
"I don't think I was used to the level of commitment they were offering," John said. "An adoption can't end."
The permanency Mark and Tim promised was a striking contrast from his past. When John stirred trouble, the state moved him to another foster home. When he acted violently, the state punished him by sending him to residential treatment.
Several days later, John appeared at Mark and Tim's door with his belongings. John decided he was tired of spending Christmas and birthdays alone. He realized, even as an adult, that he still needed parents to provide him advice -- and compassion. He wanted a family of his own.
Link (Photo: Kevin Davis)
"The things I have seen" it seems to say.
About the homophobe comment. The "gay couple adopting" aspect isn't the weird part, it's the "gay couple adopting a grown @$$ man" that pushes it into the "strange" category.
Very sweet story. I hope their new son was able to get his act together.
Great story.
I was amazed that every comment was exceedingly positive and complimented the couple on their courageous decision. Too bad Neatorama’s commenter’s couldn’t be as open minded.
To those that are uncomfortable with the idea of a gay couple adopting an adult male, how would this story be any different if it was a straight couple adopting an adult male or female? They do not think of their adult children (adopted or not) in a sexual manner. Well, unless you’re Woody Allen I guess…
Just hearing that sentence is painful nostalgia for me.
Honestly now, they're not demons. There is nothing sinister about wanting an older son; at least adults are mostly past that annoying teenager state where all they do is scream at you.
That would be disturbing but not gross.
Why is there a need to judge others? Let them live their lives as they wish.