5-yr-old was excited about his adoption—then one by one, his entire kindergarten class walked into courtroom to support him
Showing up matters, no matter who, where and what. It shows a kind of support and love that cannot be explained with words. When 5-year-old Michael was about to take the most important step of his life in a Michigan court, it was only sensible that his loved ones showed up, per CNN. The boy had been with foster parents for a year and was about to seal the deal by getting officially adopted. To ensure his crucial day was filled with encouragement and support, the boy’s kindergarten class from an elementary school in East Grand Rapids decided to attend the hearing and share in his joy.
The boy was present in court along with his foster parents, already delighted that he was finally gonna have a mommy and daddy. A video shared by ABC News captured his wide smile which increased a hundredfold when he realized that his classmates took up the invitation to be a part of his big day. A fantastic idea initiated by Michael’s teacher, Ms. McKee, turned into a core memory for the boy. The mom and teacher together decided to make the day more grand by getting students out on a “field trip” which was Michael’s hearing. Planning and making arrangements for all the tiny tots to be present, the day turned out better than they expected.
The hearing went so vibrantly that the judge, Patricia Gardner, was surprised to see so many classmates support the little boy, per BBC News. She made the hearing extra special by asking his classmates what Michael meant to them. Each had a simple yet heart-melting response. "Michael is my best friend," a small boy named Steven remarked. "My name is Lily and I love Michael," a little girl added. Many were sure that the boy was their “best friend,” and that they loved him beyond measure. Right enough, their presence and smiles proved just that. "We began the school year as a family. Family doesn't have to be DNA because family is support and love,” the teacher noted.
The hearing went on as planned and Michael was excited to finally have parents. Together with his folks, he hit the judge’s gavel on the table as a symbol of a final hearing after being officially adopted by his foster parents. The courtroom was filled with joy and the waving of little paper hearts the students held in their hands ever so lovingly. The overwhelming support and gladness the students had for Michael’s milestone proved that the young boy received not just parents but even friends for a lifetime.
Judge Gardner noted how these processes often come from a painful past and a challenging journey. "Sometimes their journeys have been very long. They've included miracles and change for the children and family, and incredible community support—as you're able to see today in Michael's adoption hearing. His whole kindergarten class and school are here to say 'we love you,' and 'we support you' and 'we'll be here not only today but in all the years in the future,'" she highlighted. Kent County Michigan captured the wholesomeness of the moment in a picture with Michael relaxing on a chair, his foster parents beside him and his classmates holding hearts behind him.