Not everyone is granted with happily sheltered family life. Many kids, those who need love, care, and support the most, are living and growing up deprived of them all.
Some people opening up their homes either through foster care or adoption like this young couple. However, the boy they welcomed into their lives would end up leaving them in tears. When you find out what he said in court, it might just make you cry, too!
She Never Imagined She Will Have To Face This Situation
Sara Cozad always wanted to help out those who were born into this world without someone to call family. She was so keen on being a foster mother that she completely ignored the fact that she was still young.
At 23 years old, Sara wanted to work with toddlers and babies. That was the kind of life she imagined until she unexpectedly had the urge to take care of an older kid with her husband.
Fostered 17 Children In A Span Of Only A Few Years
Sara and her spouse, Stuart Shank, love lending a helping hand to other people and are always ready to help out whenever they can. Throughout their fostering journey, the couple has already taken care of 17 kids and teens, whom they’ve provided with the love they need for their well-being.
The couple has said that their goal is to reconnect foster kids back with their birth families and have often formed relationships with them by helping raise their child during difficult times. However, when it came to a foster child named Michael and his older brother Dayshawn, none of that was possible.
Adopted Not Just A Child But Also A Teenager At 26
On August 13, 2018, Sara Cozad and Stuart Shank suddenly found themselves sitting through an adoption process in court, with their of two foster children next to them. It was the day when they would finally find out if they could legally adopt Michael and Dayshawn.
For the first time, the couple was ready to become legitimate parents. And they weren’t only adopting one child, but two, with one of them being a young teen already at 13. Although adopting children is a lovely experience, it’s very challenging. Anyone who wants to adopt would have to foster a child before he/she can officially become the child's legal guardian.
Crying In Anticipation
The couple’s whole family was also in attendance on that day. They sat right across the judge while also waiting nervously for the final verdict. Finally, the time came for the judge to deliver the outcome of Sara and Stuart’s adoption.
Will they or will they not be able to go home as the new parents of Michael and Dayshawn? Before that question could even be answered, Dayshawn, the older boy, shocked the courtroom when he spoke a few words about Stuart and Sara. The couple then started balling their eyes out, especially Sara, because this was truly a big deal for her.
Flashback To Seven Years Ago
Seven years before this court proceeding had ever happened, Sara met Stuart Shank, the man who would soon be her lifelong partner and love of her life. Only a few minutes into their first date, he was already asking what she wanted to make out of her life, and if she wanted kids.
Then 19-year-old Sara did not shy away from answering that she had always wanted to become a foster mother. In giving him this honest answer, Stuart was able to deliberate. In the end, it was like jumping into a cozy mattress after a long day, as the two were able to find comfort in each other.
Finding Somebody To Share Her Dream With
Now, you might think that it’s a bit too early for two people on a first date to be talking about foster parenthood. However, we think it’s great that these two immediately got that out of the way because at least they now know that they were on the same page.
In Sara’s case, she was totally surprised by how Stuart was able to take in the news all too well. If it were other guys, that would’ve been a red flag. That was why Cozad was impressed with how he just rolled with it. Because of this, the former model didn’t find it hard to see their future together.
Sealing Their Love Through Marriage
The relationship between Sara and Stuart quickly took off after that first date. The fact that Stuart was down to become a foster parent like Sara was a big factor in this. Likewise, the fact that they were able to come across each other at the right place and time seemed to signify that they were meant for each other.
Upon falling in love, the lovebirds decided to tie the knot in 2014, and their honeymoon followed soon after. But after they got home from their trip, one of the very first things that they did was plan out their journey on the way to fostering children.
Starting The Tedious Task Of Foster Parenthood
Two weeks after getting home from their honeymoon, Sara and Stuart started their training to become foster parents. Sara was only 22 years old then, but the two were already excited to finally get a taste of parenthood after now being a married couple.
In thinking that they would only be taking in babies and toddlers, they bought a lot of clothes, car seats, and even cribs. And once they became licensed, they were instantly asked if they could take care of a baby as a weekend emergency placement.
Meet The Sweet Three-Year-Old Michael
The first child they had taken in became the youngest child they would ever foster. After that, they were called over the phone to see if they were ready for a three-year-old boy. They said yes, knowing that he would only be with them for a weekend.
But instead of staying for just a mere two days, the sweet Michael ended up being placed with them for a week. In that short amount of time, they already felt their connection growing with the child. At this rate, it would be harder for them to let go. But Sara knew that when the time came, it was the right thing to do.
Having Their Lives Changed By A Child
Sara and Stuart already had Michael for a week, but that quickly turned into months. And those months eventually turned into years. While they had Michael, a lot of other foster kids started coming in and out of their home as well.
Time flew by fast, and they didn’t even notice how long Michael was staying in with them. This was because their love had already blossomed for this child like a flower. The sweet boy completely changed their plans as well because of a very special person in his life who had also entered the lives of Sara and Stuart.
Getting To Know Dayshawn, Michael's Older Brother
A few months into taking care of adorable Michael, the foster parents already knew what they were dealing with when it came to this little boy. They knew that he had an older brother named Dayshawn, whom he missed so much.
And so, even though they didn’t have to, the couple decided to agree on a supervised visit with Michael’s older sibling, which could also be good for his mental health. However, in watching the two brothers’ reunion, it was Sara’s maternal instincts that were suddenly set on fire. That was the first time that this family would come together.
Witnessing A Heartwarming Reunion
We don’t even know how to help you visualize the endearing scenario that took place without shedding a few tears of our own. The moment Michael saw Dayshawn through the playground, the boy ran as fast as he could to jump into his brother’s arms.
Dayshawn also ran up to his little brother to pick him up and hug him tight. It was like a scene from a full movie! That instance made Stuart and Sara realize just how much these two should be together. And since they couldn’t let them be separated ever again, they knew that something had to be done.
A Change of Heart
The only way that Sara and Stuart could prevent the beautiful brothers from being taken away from each other’s lives was to take both of them into their home. However, adopting a ten-year-old boy was never included in their initial plans, especially Sara’s.
The foster mom never really saw herself as someone who would adopt a pre-teenager simply because she was relatively young herself. She was actually still in university at that time. If she goes through with this decision, it would be a big leap, especially since she would only have a 13-year age gap with Dayshawn.
Hesitations When It Came To Age Gap
Even though the couple still had hesitations on whether or not they should take in Dayshawn because of his age, they decided to take a step by talking to him. And when they did, all their fears went right out of the window, and they came to a conclusion.
Sara, in particular, realized that being this boy’s mother felt natural to her. Dayshawn didn’t even seem to recognize that she was so young, or maybe he just didn’t care. Either way, to the boy, she was just his mom. She didn’t even need some kind of counseling because getting to know this boy was enough.
Encounters With Other Challenging Obstacles
Sara had a good reason not to plan on the adoption of older children. After all, she had no knowledge or experience needed for fostering an older child, given that it had only been a few years since she had left being a teenager behind herself. On the other hand, she also knew that she couldn't let the two brothers be separated again.
Besides, Dayshawn's age was not the only obstacle on the road ahead. Sara and Stuart were also occasionally taking care of other children, which made the situation even more challenging for the two.
Coming Up With A Resolution
In a blog she wrote for The Archibald Project, Sara shared how they had overheard Dayshawn talk to one of the kids they took in from one of their rooms. The older boy was consoling the child that he would be safe with their new family and that he would be his buddy.
The mom from Western Washington University was astonished to see that for the next week, that young boy never strayed far from Dayshawn. The eldest child became the little boy’s go-to person during that problematic and confusing time. With that, Sara made up her mind.
...For A Truly Special Exception
By that time, it was all clear to Sara that she was going to make an exception for Michael and Dayshawn to never be apart again. Both she and Stuart have already given their hearts to these two boys anyway. They knew that they wanted them to stay together in a loving home.
In having Dayshawn stay with them, they saw that he broke every stereotype about pre-teens and teenagers in foster care. The boy is funny, empathetic, and compassionate as he welcomes every kid that enters their home. He studies well and wants to be a doctor, a basketball player, or a social worker someday.
A Long Time In An Emotional Roller Coaster
When Sara and Stuart began the procedure of adopting both Michael and Dayshawn, they knew that it would take a long time before they could truly ensure the boys’ future with them. However, what they weren’t prepared for was the tumble of emotions that could’ve made them feel like they needed therapy themselves.
There were times when the case plan would be for the brothers to be reunited with their biological family. And although they supported this, it was still heartbreaking. But then, it would switch back to adoption. This would go on for a few years according to what Sara had shared with the Love What Matters website.
A Worthwhile Ride Filled With Effort & Patience
In the span that it took for the process to finally land on adoption as Sara and Stuart’s card, these foster parents recognized what they needed to do. They just had to take joy in the time they had with their boys. With such an emotionally taxing experience, this was the best thing they could do.
Having no control of what the future held for them gave them, especially Sara, the gift of fortitude and patience that no textbook could’ve ever taught her. By then, it became a lot easier for them to face every challenge that came their way because of this mindset.
The Light At The End Of The Tunnel
As it usually turns out in life, there's always something wonderful that awaits us in most situations. And although Stuart and Sara had spent some of their days worrying about how Michael and Dayshawn’s adoption would turn out, all of their struggles were about to be rewarded.
At last, on August 13, 2018, the final court proceeding ruled in favor of the result they were hoping for. Michael and Dayshawn would be coming home with them as their legitimate children! No amount of money could equal the amount of joy they felt that day, and it was about to get even more priceless!
A Tear-Jerking Instance at the Court
It was such a tough ride to get to where they were now, and the whole family was just glad that everything finally landed on its place. That day was so precious that everybody couldn’t hold back their emotions even though they were in court. This moment was truly one for the books!
Everyone there knew the challenges that Sara and Stuart had to go through just to adopt both the brothers and hence, why they were all happy for the aftermath. However, it wasn’t what made Sara and Stuart’s tears come streaming out. It was an unanticipated moment that had something to do with their eldest, Dayshawn.
The Judge Asks An Important Question
We’re sure you’re excited to know what it was that Sara and Stuart’s son had blurted out, so we’ll get right to telling how it ensued. Luckily, someone was able to take their camera out, and record the whole thing while it played out right there and then.
The video recording clearly shows the judge asking if the family thinks that they all approve of this adoption moving forward. Sara and Stuart were sitting there in anticipation of the court procedure’s conclusion when something incredible was blurted out by the 13-year-old next to them.
... And Answered Through A Surprising & Moving Speech
When a judge asks these kinds of questions, no one would typically expect people to deliberately answer them. However, this was no ordinary case because the kids here were truly grateful. Through what the video has captured, Dayshawn is seen and heard saying that Stuart and Sara loved them.
It was a totally unexpected response, but this answer made everybody in the courtroom crack a smile. Truthfully, some even had happy tears in their eyes. This short remark of his made folks laugh, but they didn't expect that he had other things to say after that.
Dayshawn's Declaration Of Love
While his little brother Michael was sitting on his newfound dad’s lap, Dayshawn continued on to say that they both loved Sara and Stuart as well. The thankful teen also added that their whole family was the best thing that he and his brother had ever had.
As if that wasn’t enough, he also told the judge that he was happy that these people were in his life and that he was glad to be their son because they were the best thing that HE had ever had. With a joyously perfect smile, he ended his speech, wishing that he could just love his new mom and dad for the rest of his life.
Everyone's Emotional Response
The day had already been filled with so much emotion, and now it was brimming with more because of Dayshawn’s declaration. The judge was smiling throughout his speech and was even giving commentaries in between. Everyone looked like they were watching an emotional episode via streaming TV, and was so caught up in the moment.
However, among all of those who were happily shedding tears, including Stuart, there was no one who could hold up to Sara. She was sitting right next to her now eldest son when he was spewing all of those loving words, and she just balled her eyes with joy through every word.
Accepting The Last Name With A Middle Name To Boot
After all the happy tears were shed, Stuart and Sara, just had to celebrate, as they now had sons not out of pregnancy, but of pure love. It was also time for the brothers to accept their mom and dad’s last name, and they couldn’t be happier to now be Dayshawn and Michael Shank.
Dayshawn was filled with so much happiness, that he even picked something special for himself: a middle name. The young teen chose 'Star' to be added to his complete name because Sara had always believed that he was one. Aside from all these wonderful things, there were even more beautiful happenings that would take place afterward.
Arriving At A Happy Ending
On the day of the verdict, the whole Shank family was able to ride not just a vehicle, but a limo! They also celebrated the successful adoption with doughnuts and a special dinner where all of their closest relatives and friends were invited.
During the celebration, Sara and Stuart were asked a few times if they were still willing to foster kids after having adopted the boys. They still believe that every child deserves to have a loving family, however, this time, they won’t only be focusing on babies and toddlers.
Welcoming Older Foster Children Into Their Home
After starting the long process of adopting Michael and Dayshawn, Sara and Stuart began opening up their hearts to older foster kids who were already at their pre-teen and teenage years. As Sara has once again shared on The Archibald Project, she isn’t scared of taking in older kids anymore.
In fact, this wonderful mom and her ever-supportive husband are now more keen on helping out LGBTQ+ youth and teen moms. It's not because she believes they can parent them better, but it's because they are the ones who are often heartbreakingly overlooked in shelters and social worker’s offices.
Sustaining The Advocacy
The couple has recently had a 15-year-old foster son who stayed with them for a few months before he was able to reconnect with his real family. They have now found themselves comfortable in helping teens and pre-teens cope and talk about past experiences and traumas.
These are things that this degree-holder mom had also shared with The Archibald Project, for which she has written a few blog entries. But aside from this, she also manages her own website called Fostering Our Future that aims to educate those who want to know more about fostering and get involved as well.
Inspiring Others Along The Way
Sara Cozad and Stuart Shank are just two people who have been generous with love to those who need it the most: young people. And in doing so, their kindness has been noticed by the likes of Good Morning America, who has covered their heartwarming story with Michael and Dayshawn like celebrity news.
The couple has shown a lot of people that if you provide love and care to a child, they are capable of giving back so much more just like what Dayshawn presented on that one fateful day. Because whether or not you’re interested to adopt or become a foster parent, you can’t deny that love is truly powerful!