A husband and wife were on the verge of becoming empty nesters when they came across a news segment that changed their family’s life forever.
“I just looked at them, I looked at them, I looked at their faces, watched video two to three times, and I just kept staring, thinking, ‘these could be my kids,'” Pam Willis said.
In 2018, KENS 5 aired a story about seven siblings who were in need of a new home. The children, ranging in age from two to 13, had recently survived a terrible car accident.
However, their parents did not survive.
“I want a family that’s fun, joyful, and who takes you out places,” 11-year-old Azaura said at the time.
Little did the siblings know that at the time their story was going viral and there was a couple, who were about to become empty nesters, who wanted to give the children a forever home.
Pam discovered the children’s story after coming across it on Facebook. She was moved.
“I saw seven and thought ‘oh my goodness.’ The first thing I thought of was, ‘No one’s going to have room for them.’ And the second thing I thought was ‘I have room for them.”
She tagged her husband Gary in the post, but wasn’t sure what he would say.
Although the couple have been fostering since 2013 and have five children of their own – their youngest who was set to graduate high school at the time Pam came across the Facebook post – seven children is a big responsibility.
But Gary said, “We should adopt them.”
For one of the children, it was a Christmas wish come true.
“I was touched when I saw them. Ruby goes ‘I want a forever family.’ I go, ‘I’ll be it,'” Gary said.
While extremely grateful for the Willis’, Ruby was shocked someone would take her and her siblings in.
“Well, I didn’t think we’d find a family that would take all of us that’s for sure because it’s insane! You gotta be really crazy to take seven kids, especially how all of us are and all of the problems that we have.”
In August 2020 their adoption was finalized.
Now the family of nine – the couple’s five biological children have either moved out or have families of their own – are taking the time to enjoy life together.
“Thank you for everything,” 15-year-old Adelino said. “You took us out of a really difficult, difficult time and honestly, I probably wouldn’t have been here now if it weren’t for you guys. Thank you.”
Let’s hear it for Pam and Gary. They opened their home to seven siblings who were in need of a loving family.
I can’t imagine being able to provide not only the love, but the space for all seven children.
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