Couple adopts six siblings so that family can stay together
In what has turned out to be a truly remarkable story, six siblings who were living in foster care on the verge of being separated forever were saved by an incredibly kind couple.
Of course, the harsh realities of foster care all across the world sees so many children be separated from their siblings and loved ones - but thanks to one generous couple, a set of siblings have been able to embark on a fresh start all together.
The couple in question are Dustin Johnson and his partner Daniel, from Apollo Beach in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Dustin and Daniel, who tied the knot in 2020, have always wanted to adopt and little did they expect it to be a grand total of six children - all within the same time-frame!
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The siblings include 11-year-old Reed, 10-year-old Amiyah, nine-year-old Isaiah, seven-year-old Kaelix, six-year-old Cade and three-year-old Roslyn.
Now known as the Johnson bunch, the six kids had already spent a few years apart from one another and were potentially going to be placed permanently into five different homes.
But thankfully, this now isn't the case.
After a tedious adoption process, it was made official in May - a year after the siblings were taken in by Dustin and Daniel.
But things weren't always smooth sailing as, according to Dustin, when the siblings first came to live with the couple they experienced night terrors and were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing domestic violence and drug abuse.
"When they first moved in, they were completely withdrawn and had major trust issues," Dustin explained to TODAY. "It took months and months to build up that trust. Then the light started coming in."
Speaking further to ABC Action News, Dustin said: "Look at their faces; how do they not melt when you see six little kiddos running around always having fun.
"I think the thing that surprised me the most was the kid's grit and determination; they all fought really hard to make this happen."
He carried on: "As a new parent, one of the most challenging parts was making sure you have six of everything, like bicycles. The Costco bill alone gives me a heart attack every time."
The kids are, of course, extremely appreciative for what they have and everything their new parents have provided, especially the unconditional love and generosity they now experience on a daily basis.
"We just get a loving family, and we actually get to have somebody there for us and our needs," Amiyah, one of the eldest of the siblings, said.
"They actually cared for us, and they helped us through the hard stuff that we couldn't get through," Isaiah also added.
The couple say they couldn't have done it alone and appreciate all the support community organisations have helped to provide.
And just when you thought this story couldn't get any more wholesome, this summer the Johnson bunch plan to donate 200 backpacks filled with school supplies to children in foster care, with Johnson hoping his family will help to inspire others.
Ciara Fearn