Our journey together began in a unique way. Philip’s sister used to babysit me when we were younger, and that’s how we first met. Fast forward to today, and we’ve been married for seven wonderful years. We lead the youth group at our church and both work in real estate. But beyond our professional and church roles, we’ve found an incredibly meaningful way to give back: through fostering.

Our path to fostering wasn’t something we initially planned. After struggling with infertility, we explored adoption through private agencies but kept returning to the idea of fostering. It felt like a calling we couldn’t ignore. We felt compelled to open our home and hearts to children who needed it most.

Since starting our fostering journey with Alabama DHR, we’ve had the privilege of welcoming seven children into our home. The experience has been transformative in so many ways. Fostering has changed us both for the better. You think you know yourself and your spouse, but when you bring children into your life who have faced unimaginable challenges, you discover new depths of patience and compassion. It’s not always easy, but it’s always rewarding.

The family atmosphere in Decatur makes it an ideal place for our fostering journey. The support and warmth from our neighbors and friends make all the difference.

Fostering is a mixed bag of joy and struggle. There are days when things are tough, and you wish you could make everything perfect for these kids. They’re placed in situations they shouldn’t be in, and yet, they show incredible bravery and resilience. Seeing them face their challenges head-on is both humbling and inspiring.

One of the most memorable success stories from our fostering experience is when a second set of children we cared for got to return to their biological mother after 420 days. It was incredibly tough to say goodbye, but seeing them reunite with their mom was profoundly rewarding. Moments like these remind us why we chose this path.

The impact of fostering extends beyond just our family. If more people were open to it, I truly believe we could see a massive shift in the lives of many children and families. For those who might be unsure, I encourage you to ask questions and learn more. Even small gestures, like offering to babysit or cooking a meal for a fostering family, can make a big difference.

The impact of fostering extends beyond just our family. If more people were open to it, I truly believe we could see a massive shift in the lives of many children and families. For those who might be unsure, I encourage you to ask questions and learn more. Even small gestures, like offering to babysit or cooking a meal for a fostering family, can make a big difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read about our journey. We hope our story inspires you to consider how you might make a difference in your own way, whether through fostering or simply supporting those who do. Every act of kindness contributes to building a stronger, more compassionate community.