5-year-old was ready for her adoption hearing in courtroom—then judge took off her robe and gave her a magical surprise
When you think of court, the first thing that comes to mind is legal matters, frightening experiences, crime, and punishments. However, there is also a lot of good that goes on within the walls of a courtroom. For instance, adoption procedures that give parents a family and children a home forever. 5-year-old Danielle Koning experienced this bright side of the court when she was to be adopted by the Konings, per ABC News. The judge, caseworker, and others present in the courtroom decided to add to this core memory most excitingly and colorfully.
The little girl had been fostered for around 2 years by the family before she could be officially adopted. Danielle’s caseworker decided that this special moment had to be sealed with another vibrant surprise. “I think it’s really important to make that adoption day special for every kid in whatever capacity you can. No matter what, if kids have been bounced around a lot, it really helps them to feel the permanency and know that they’re not going anywhere now,” Sarah Koning, now-adoptive mum of Danielle, noted. The caseworker decided to surprise the 5-year-old by including her favorite characters for the hearing: Disney princesses.
The woman put in efforts to make it work and it all played out just like magic. However, it all started with the idea of having just one princess in the courtroom. “It was a special situation that really snowballed out of a request from Danielle’s caseworker, who knew Danielle loved Cinderella so much. One of the other caseworkers kind of looks like Cinderella, so she said, ‘Would you mind going to the hearing and dressing as Cinderella?’” recalled Laura Mitchell, executive director for Samaritas Foster Care Program and Child and Family Services. After one worker agreed to put on the costume of 'Cinderella,' others got word and wholesomely decided to step in to help.
One after another, coworkers pitched in to be Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Elsa and several other Disney princesses and characters. The plan was so adored and admired that even the judge, Patricia Garner, decided to play along. In a few glimpses shared in a video by the outlet, one can see Danielle’s beaming face on witnessing the princesses lined up in their colorful attire and elegant stature. As for the judge, she revealed beneath her robe a yellow and red outfit and the cutest headgear, depicting her role as “Snow White.” She also placed a frame of the seven dwarfs from the movie to make the feeling more realistic.
“She was shocked when the princesses first came in. She sure was. The look on her face was priceless,” Sarah remarked. The mom is convinced that Danielle’s adoption procedure became more priceless and profound thanks to the caseworker’s thoughtful gesture. “We’ve been waiting so long for it and it feels really good to be able to settle and be a real family. We have been a real family but to not have that looming over our head anymore is a pretty amazing feeling,” she added. This is a day the family will remember for life in the most colorful way.