We adopted Bobby, a mute five-year-old kid, hoping time and love would heal him. He broke our lives with five words on his sixth birthday: “My parents are alive.” Next, we learned unexpected truths.
I always imagined motherhood would be easy. Life has other ideas.
Bobby said more than his first sentence. It started a journey that would test our love, patience, and family values.
Woman at home | Midjourney
Woman at home | Midjourney
I thought life was great. I had a supportive husband, a cozy home, and a steady job that enabled me follow my hobbies.
But something was lacking. Something I sensed in every peaceful moment and glance at the empty second bedroom.
Wanted a kid.
I was optimistic when Jacob and I started trying. Late-night feedings, messy painting endeavors, and baby growth sprang to mind.
Months stretched into years, and the image never happened.
A depressed woman | Pexels
A depressed woman | Pexels
We attempted fertility therapies and the top local physicians. We always got “I’m sorry.”
The day it all collapsed is unforgettable.
We left another fertility clinic. The doctor’s remarks rang in my thoughts.
“Nothing more we can do,” he said. “Adoption might be your best option.”
Till we got home, I kept it together. I cried uncontrollably on the sofa when I entered our living room.
Crying woman on sofa | Pexels
Crying woman on sofa | Pexels
Jacob followed.
“Alicia, what happened?” “Talk to me, please.”
Shaking my head, I struggled to speak. “I don’t comprehend. WHY are we experiencing this? I’ve always wanted to be a mom, but now I can’t.”
It’s unfair. I know,” he replied, sitting beside me and pulling me close. But there may be another way. We may not need to quit.”
“You mean adoption?” Looked at him, my voice broke. Do you think it’s identical? I’m not sure I can adore a stranger’s child.”
Serious woman | Midjourney
Serious woman | Midjourney
Jacob surrounded my face with his hands and eyes.
You have more love than anyone I know, Alicia. Biology doesn’t define parents. Love does. You are a true mother in every aspect.
I thought about his remarks for days. Every time uncertainty crept in, I repeated our talk.
Can I do this? Could I be a child’s mother even if they weren’t mine?
Pexels: Woman sitting at home
Pexels: Woman sitting at home
Finally, I decided one morning while watching Jacob drink coffee at the kitchen table.
“I’m ready,” I whispered.
Hope filled his eyes as he gazed up. “For what?”
“For adoption,” I said.
“What?” Jacob gleamed. “You have no idea how happy I am to hear that.”
“Wait,” I frowned. “You’ve already been thinking about this, haven’t you?”
He chuckled.
“Maybe a little,” he admitted. “I’ve researched local foster homes. One’s nearby. We can visit this weekend if you’re ready.”
Smiley man | Midjourney
Smiley man | Midjourney
“Let’s do this,” I nodded. “Let’s visit the foster home this weekend.”
Weekend came sooner than expected. I looked out the window to soothe my anxieties as we drove to the foster home.
“What if they don’t like us?” I whispered.
“They’ll love us,” Jacob squeezed my hand. “We’ll figure it out if they don’t. Together.”
Mrs. Jones, a kind woman, welcomed us. While describing the facility, she took us inside.
Woman at a door | Midjourney
Woman at a door | Midjourney
“We have some wonderful children I’d love for you to meet,” she added, leading us to a lively playroom.
A tiny boy in the corner caught my eye as I examined the room. He wasn’t playing like others. He watched.
His large, thought-filled eyes appeared to see through me.
“Hi there,” I knelt beside him. “What’s your name?”
Silently, he watched me.
Little boy | Midjourney
Little boy | Midjourney
I looked at Mrs. Jones instead of him.
“Is he, uh, does he not talk?” I requested.
“Oh, Bobby talks,” she laughed. He’s shy. Give him time—he’ll change.”
I looked to Bobby, heartbroken for this silent youngster.
“It’s nice to meet you, Bobby,” I remarked, but he took no action.
Smiley woman | Midjourney
Smiley woman | Midjourney
Mrs. Jones recounted his tale in her office.
Bobby was abandoned as a baby outside another foster home with a note saying, His parents are deceased, and I’m not ready to care for the youngster.
“He’s been through more than most adults ever will,” remarked. He’s a nice, smart boy. Someone must believe in him. He needs attention. And adore him.”
I didn’t need convincing then. I accepted him into our lives.
I said, “We want him,” staring at Jacob.
He nodded. “Absolutely.”
Smiley man | Midjourney
Smiley man | Midjourney
As we signed the paperwork to bring Bobby home, I felt something I hadn’t felt in years. Hope.
The obstacles ahead were unknown, but I knew one thing. We wanted to adore this guy completely.
That was just the beginning.
Bobby’s arrival impacted our lives in ways we never imagined.
From the minute he entered our home, we wanted him to feel safe and cherished. His room has vibrant colors, book shelves, and his beloved dinosaurs.
Bobby remained mute.
Boy in hallway | Midjourney
Boy in hallway | Midjourney
He watched everything with those huge, inquisitive eyes, trying to determine if it was real or fleeting. Jacob and I gave him all our love in hopes of his opening up.
“Do you want to help me bake cookies, Bobby?” Asking from his level, I crouched.
He nodded, his tiny fingers holding the cookie cutters, but never spoke.
Jacob accompanied him to soccer practice and cheered from the sidelines.
Soccer ball in pitch | Pexels
Soccer ball in pitch | Pexels
“Great kick, pal! “You’ve got this!”
But Bobby? He smiled softly and kept quiet.
I told him bedtime stories.
I started with “Once upon a time,” checking the book for him to pay attention.
He always was but never talked.
Young boy smiling | Midjourney
Young boy smiling | Midjourney
This lasted months. So we didn’t rush him because he needed time.
Jacob and I planned a small party for his sixth birthday. Just the three of us and a dinosaur-topped cake.
Just seeing his smile when he saw the cake was worth it.
“Do you like it, Bobby?” Jacob asks.
Bobby grinned at us and nodded.
Young boy smiling | Midjourney
Young boy smiling | Midjourney
When we lighted the candles and sung “Happy Birthday,” Bobby stared at us. After the song, he blew out the candles and spoke for the first time.
“My parents are alive,” he whispered.
Jacob and I looked astonished, unsure if we heard him right.
“What did you say, sweetheart?” I inquired, crouching beside him.
Seeing me, he repeated the words.
“My parents are alive.”
A boy’s mouth in close-up speech | Source: Pexels
A boy’s mouth in close-up speech | Source: Pexels
Not believing my hearing.
How could he know? Was he recalling? Had someone told him?
Bobby said nothing more that night, but my mind raced.
He murmured, “At the foster home, the adults said my biological parents didn’t want me. They’re alive. They threw me away.”
His statements saddened me and intrigued me about the foster home. Did his parents live? Why did Mrs. Jones not disclose this?
Standing woman in her house | Midjourney
Standing woman in her house | Midjourney
Jacob and I confronted Mrs. Jones at the foster home the next day. We needed answers.
When we relayed her Bobby’s words, she seemed uncomfortable.
I didn’t want you to know this, she said, wringing her hands. However, the boy is right. His parents live. They’re rich and didn’t want a sick child. They paid my employer to remain silent. Though I disagreed, it wasn’t my call.”
Woman talking to woman | Midjourney
Woman talking to woman | Midjourney
“What health issues?”
“He wasn’t well when they abandoned him, but his illness was temporary,” she said. “He’s all good now.”
“The note story? Was it fabricated?”
“Yes,” she admitted. We made up that narrative since our boss stated so. I’m sorry.”
Woman in workplace talking | Midjourney
Woman in workplace talking | Midjourney
They felt betrayed by her statements. How could a parent forsake their child? And for what? He wasn’t perfect in their eyes?
After returning home, we explained everything to Bobby in straightforward terms. But he insisted.
“I wanna see them,” he said, holding his pet dinosaur.
Our reservations notwithstanding, we had to comply with his request. We requested his parents’ address and phone number from Mrs. Jones.
Woman on phone | Pexels
Woman on phone | Pexels
She initially blocked our communication. We convinced her to change her mind after telling her about Bobby’s frantic need to see them.
Bobby was driven to his parents’ house soon. We didn’t know his reaction, but we knew it would help him heal.
Bobby’s eyes lit up like never before as we approached the mansion’s towering gates.
He held my hand tightly as we parked and walked toward it, as if he’d never let go.
Mother and child holding hands | Source: Pexels
Mother and child holding hands | Source: Pexels
After Jacob knocked, a well-dressed couple entered. They lost their poise when they spotted Bobby.
“Can we help you?” she shakily said.
“His name is Bobby,” Jacob added. “Your son.”
Wide-eyed, they watched Bobby.
“Are you my mommy and daddy?” the youngster questioned.
The couple appeared to want to withdraw from view. They apologized and explained why they gave up their child.
A woman outside her home | Midjourney
A woman outside her home | Midjourney
“We thought,” he said. We believed we were doing right. Sick kids were too much for us. Someone else could improve his life, we thought.”
Bobby intervened before I could express my wrath.
“Why didn’t you keep me?” he asked his birth parents, staring at them.
“We didn’t know how to help you,” the woman shakily stated.
Bobby frowned. “I think you didn’t even try…”
Boy standing outside | Midjourney
Boy standing outside | Midjourney
Then he faced me.
“Mommy,” he started. I don’t want to join my ex-friends. I dislike them. To be with you and Daddy.”
As I kneeled by him, tears fell.
“You don’t have to join them,” I said. Now we’re your family, Bobby. Never leave us.”
Woman facing forward | Midjourney
Woman facing forward | Midjourney
Jacob guarded Bobby’s shoulder.
“Yes, we’re never letting you go,” stated.
The pair said nothing but nervously moved their feet. Their body language showed shame, but they never apologized.
As we left the mansion, I felt profound serenity. Bobby chose us and we chose him that day.
I realized we weren’t just his adoptive parents after his behavior. We were his family.
Midjourney photo of boy happy with teddy bear
Midjourney photo of boy happy with teddy bear
Bobby’s smile spread and happiness filled our home following that day. He trusted us totally, expressing his ideas, dreams, and worries.
Seeing him succeed, Jacob and I felt complete. Bobby proudly called us “Mommy” and “Daddy”—we loved it.
He reminded me that love, not biology, builds a family every time.
