Teresa Saad, who was adopted as a young child, gave 2-year-old Christopher, a lively boy with bouncy blond curls, the same opportunity that changed her life.
On Saturday, Saad and her husband, Liburd Sadere, were among 38 families who adopted 43 children at the Broward County Courthouse during National Adoption Day. Many were touched during court proceedings as they officially gained new sons and daughters — there were hugs, kisses and tears.
In Broward Circuit Judge Stacey Schulman’s courtroom, children were given her gavel to ceremoniously make new families official with eager strikes on a wooden table.
“I feel all my dreams and wishes came true,” Saad said.
Christopher was an infant when Saad gave him a home. With newfound responsibility and focus, she and Sadere, who was her boyfriend at the time, settled into a serious relationship and were married. They now have a family with two boys, including their 3-month-old biological son Ameis.
For the Picardi family, it was doubly exciting to formally add Asia, 8, and Jeremiah, 6, to their clan. The siblings have been living with Alan and Nicolette Picardi for five years. The couple, who couldn’t have children of their own, also adopted Emmanuel, 5, last December.
“We’ve always been family,” said Alan Picardi. “We’ve been family since the first day and five years later it’s permanent.”
The couple opened up their Coral Springs home to foster children in 2008, he said, and consider themselves the “lucky ones” to have found Asia, Jeremiah and Emmanuel.
“I can’t even imagine what it’s like without them now,” Alan Picardi said. “I look forward to it every day.”
Jeremiah, too, was excited about the occasion and being part of a family he’s always known loves him.
“This is my best family. We went to the court and this is so fun,” he said. “We are the Picardi family now.”
The Dunson family grew by one and celebrated a birthday all in one day. Vanessa and Jared Dunson’s son Noah turned 7 on the day they officially made 3-year-old Sadie his sister. After the couple had their own two biological children, they were inspired to become foster parents after learning about the plight of such children through their church in Davie.
“It really opened up our hearts,” said Vanessa Dunson. “We plan to love her tremendously.”
Robin and Teddy Matthews, also foster parents, adopted a second son, 4-year-old Brandon, on Saturday. The couple hopes other foster children will be fortunate enough to find forever homes. For Brandon, they hope to give him all the resources he needs to build a bright future.
“He will actually have a chance to blossom,” Robin Matthews said. “To become the great man he can be.”
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