When 11-year-old Luke was on the verge of being adopted, he had one special request: to invite his fourth-grade class from Brookland Middle School in Brookland, Arkansas, to witness the momentous occasion.
11-Year-Old Invites Class To Adoption
The Arkansas boy told their family lawyer that it was of the utmost importance to him for his classmates to see his adoption. Luke stated that during the court hearing, he was elated about having his school class be part of his new chapter in life.
Luke's adoption on May 14 marked the end of months of bonding with his new family, Cassie and Bradley Kissinger.
The connection was immediate when they first met at a connection event hosted by Project Zero, an Arkansas nonprofit focused on promoting adoption. "We started playing games at the event, and those events can be a little awkward, but it wasn't at all with [Luke]," Cassie Kissinger remembered.
Cassie added that, when it comes to the 11-year-old boy, they just dived into it as a couple, started helping him with things, and started walking around and talking a lot to build the connection.
After numerous moments together, they started having lunch together, and all the awkwardness disappeared quickly.
For Cassie, adopting Luke fulfilled a lifelong dream. "I grew up in a family that fostered and adopted from foster care. So, I always wanted to do that. It was a dream of mine since I was a teenager," she told "GMA."
An Emotional Day in Court
On the day of his adoption, Luke felt a mix of emotions. The boy stated that his nervousness and excitement were all mixing up together. Luke stated that he had fun, but there were parts of it where he felt emotional too.
Now, Luke is a rising fifth grader and happily calls Cassie and Bradley Kissinger mom and dad. He also has a brother, Aiden, who is also 11, and an older sister, Alena, who is 14.
Aiden shared his excitement about welcoming Luke into the family. "It's pretty exciting to have a brother. I mean, it gets annoying like with other siblings, but we get along pretty well," he said, adding that they particularly enjoy playing video games and spending time outside together.
Luke's adoption not only brought him loving parents but also a brother, Aiden, who shares in the excitement of gaining a new family member.
The Importance of Adoption
The Kissingers advocate for adoption and encourage other families to consider it. Cassie explains that kids do not want perfect and believe they do not need perfect, and they just want someone to love them.
"Many of these kids have waited years in foster care to be adopted and find a permanent family. It can truly change the trajectory of their lives if they find that permanency."
Bradley added, "If you look at the statistics, the number of kids out there who just need some love is staggering. It's ridiculously high. If you can be part of changing even one of those kids' lives, go for it. Don't hold back."
The Kissingers emphasize the life-changing impact adoption can have on children waiting for a forever home.
Their message of love and acceptance resonates, encouraging others to consider adoption and become a positive force in a child's life.
