Adoption stories

Stories from real families

Every family has a story. Some begin with quiet hope. Others, with unexpected turns. But all of them are built on love, resilience, and the courage to say “yes,” even when the journey isn’t easy.

This page is a collection of real voices and real experiences from families who have opened their hearts and homes through adoption from foster care. Their stories are honest, sometimes messy, often beautiful—and always powerful.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore the idea of adoption, deep in the process, or simply here to learn, we invite you to read on.

Built on love: How one father and son changed each other’s lives

May 9, 2025

It happened at 2 a.m.

Milton Carter had spent two years trying to build his family by adopting a youth in foster care. Lying awake one night, he felt discouraged that his dream of becoming a father still hadn’t come true.

“I was ready to give up,” Milton said. “I even told my caseworker I was done, but she convinced me to take two weeks off from searching, and it was at the end of (that break) that everything changed.”

As he tossed and turned, he felt a nudge.

“It was God, saying, ‘Get up,’” Milton said. “I could feel Him talking to me, telling me to go take a look.”

He followed that impulse, left his bed, logged onto AdoptUSKids’ national photolisting, and spotted a Northwest Adoption Exchange (NWAE) In-Depth Profile video of 13-year-old Landon.

“And I just knew. I felt it in my spirit. I felt it in my soul,” he said. “I knew he was my child.”

NWAE connected the future father-son duo, and after weeks of phone and video calls, Landon flew from Washington to Texas so the two could properly meet and so Landon could tour his potential future home and community.

“The door opened, and in walks this kid, this big kid, this kid who wrestles and plays football. But he also is just a baby, you know? And he just came right up to me and gave me the biggest hug,” Milton said. “It’s hard to explain, but I knew I was hugging my son. I know I adopted him when he was 13, but it felt like I’d loved him from his first day on this Earth.”

Four years later, Landon remembers that moment as fondly as his father does.

“It felt like a dream, you know? Kind of fluffy, nice,” he said. The now 17-year-old said that moment altered his life’s trajectory. “I found a parent, a stable home, and someone to love me all at once.”

Family is worthwhile work

Like any family, the father and son have experienced rough patches. While they formed an instant bond, Landon struggled to grasp that he was truly home.

“My first year here, and probably even longer, I felt like I was going to get kicked out or something,” Landon said. “It takes time to feel like you actually have a home when you’re so used to not having one. And, just like this was new for my dad, it was new for me.”

Milton and Landon both say transitions into new environments and family roles require effort. They also agree the work is worthwhile.

“It takes time for everyone to adjust, even when everything is great,” Milton said.

He recalls how at first Landon kept everything tidy. “His room was always clean, and he never left his shoes on the floor. It takes a while for these kids to realize they’re home, because they’ve been moved so many times. You have to be patient as they work through it. Now, he has his stuff strewn all about the house, and I’m like, ‘Landon, I’m going to trip and break my neck,’ but I love it, because it means he’s comfortable. It’s his home, and he gets to be himself in his home.”

That road home stretched long for both. Just as Milton had experienced many failed attempts at finding family, so had Landon.

Three times, he pursued permanency with a family, but each time, the father developed severe health problems that derailed adoption plans. So, when Milton collapsed due to an undiagnosed condition, Landon feared his past disappointments had returned to inflict fresh pain. While Milton’s illness is now well-maintained, he remembers the moment as an opportunity to demonstrate his commitment.

“I can’t erase any bad memories he has, but I can let him know I love him and that together we can build a strong foundation,” Milton said. “I can let him know I’ll never give up on him and that he is safe with me. And then, when he started feeling secure, he could start exploring what he wants to build on that foundation. And boy, Landon is building.”

It's never too late

When he first moved to Texas, Landon’s grade point average sat at 0.95. Educators recommended special education and cautioned that Landon might not graduate high school. Now, he has a 3.9 GPA for his advanced placement coursework and was accepted into 15 universities. He plans to eventually seek a master’s degree in criminology and sociology and pursue a career helping others.

Landon sees his growth as proof that older youth can thrive in adoptive homes.

“Honestly, I changed a lot,” he said. “Like, I did a full 360. Some people might think that’s not possible for kids like me, because it’s too late or they’re too old or whatever, but it’s never too late. The older kids in foster care need their shot.”

Milton cries when reflecting on his son’s progress. And while his pride for Landon oozes from every word he speaks, he takes no credit for his success.

“You’re not there to fix your kid,” he said. “You’re there to love them, support them, nurture them, and water them so they can grow. We parents need to realize—this isn’t about us. It’s about them. People like to say, ‘You saved that child,’ and that’s not true. I didn’t even know I had this much love to give. So, no, I did not save my child, and I did not fix my child. My child fixed me. My child saved me. That’s the story.”