7 Adoption Moments That Prove You Can Choose Your Family

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7 Adoption Moments That Prove You Can Choose Your Family

Courtney Gilmour

The act of adoption is a beautiful thing. It is a wonderful alternative to conceiving your own biological children or a way to make it official when a loving stepparent enters a child's life.

In honor of National Adoption Day on Nov. 18, here are 7 heartwarming videos that'll prove it only takes love to be a parent, not DNA.

1. A Surprise Adoption

Lacey and Banks Farris had been struggling for years to start a family. With a late miscarriage, infertility, and a failed adoption, the couple was weary to share the news they were in the process of adopting again.

However their fears of another false start were for naught when they were finally able to bring home their newborn daughter, Finley. In an effort to keep the joyous occasion captured forever, Lacey and Banks videotaped their family's reactions when they announced the addition to the Farris clan.

"The reveal was incredible," Lacey said. "For Finley to grow up and see how happy everyone was to see her - it meant everything."

2. An 11-Year-Old's Wish Come True

An 11-year-old Utah girl waited two years in hopes of her foster parents becoming her forever family.  When the office manager at Tannah Butterfield's school told her the life-changing news, she became overcome with emotions.

To make the occasion even more heartwarming, Tannah's foster mom, Jennifer Fisher also adopted her two younger sisters, 6-year-old Teagun, and 2-year-old Tallie.

"My heart was so happy," she said. "It was like, ahhh. It was like, screaming."

3. The Best Father's Day Present

After 17 years, a young lady decided to make her relationship with her stepdad official when she surprised him with adoption papers on Father's Day.

26-year-old Lindsey met her stepfather Mark when he arrived at her front door to take her mother on a date. Without hesitation, Mark quickly became the doting father-figure to Lindsey.

When Lindsey wrapped the adoption papers in a pink box on Father's Day, she was surprised with Mark's overwhelming response.

"My stepdad is a tough construction worker and I've never seen him cry this hard. It was such a special moment and I'm glad it was caught on camera," Lindsey said.

4. From Two To Four

When Hank Blankenship met his wife Deidre, she came as a package deal. Having two children from a previous relationship, the single mother knew it was a lot for anyone to take on. But Hank stepped up to the plate when he treated Alexander and Cassidy as his own. The couple would eventually go on to have two more children, Savannah and Trey.

At 15, Cassidy decided to surprise her stepfather with adoption papers for her and her brother at a family gathering.

As both Hank and Deidre are deaf, Cassidy came up with the idea to write the special message on a poster board, while signing along to it.

Hank was brought to tears when he realized what was happening, letting his emotions take over.

5. The Best Christmas Present

Merry Christmas, Landon!

Jukin Media Verified (Original) * For licensing / permission to use: Contact - licensing(at)jukinmediadotcom

Posted by Janelle Rice on Sunday, December 25, 2016

An 11-year-old boy received the best Christmas present when he opened up his adoption certificate, which stated his stepfather has become his legal dad.

Landon had been asking to be adopted by Daniel Rice for several years, hoping to also take his last name like his mother, Janelle.

"At his fifth grade graduation in May, he was called up to the stage to get his 'diploma' and he told his teachers he wanted to go by Landon Rice - that's when we knew we had to begin," she said.

6. The Happiest of Holidays

Posted by Marissa Thamann on Monday, December 26, 2016

When Marissa Thamann lost her biological mother at only four-months-old, she lived without a mother-figure until Heather came along.

After 17 years, Marissa, 21, decided to surprise her stepmother with adoption papers on Christmas morning. Heather's reaction says it all.

"She's always been my mom, it's just paper but it's important to have her on my birth certificate," Marissa said.

7. A Surprise From Mickey

Two children have found out there is truth to Walt Disney World's tagline of "The Happiest Place On Earth."

Courtney and Tom Gilmour surprised their foster children, Janielle, 12, and Elijah, 10, during their family vacation at the magic kingdom.

When the workers at Disney found out, they decided to make the announcement extra special with the news coming from Mickey Mouse himself.

While the couple didn't know when the surprise would take place, they were thrilled they were able to capture the moment on camera.

"We were kind of shocked," Courtney said. "They didn't give a heads up ... but Janielle's reaction was just so natural and pure. They said, 'Get the family in there!' and I was like, yeah! We're the family!'"

What is your favorite adoption story?

Maya has been working at Shared for a year. She just begrudgingly spent $200 on a gym membership. Contact her at maya@shared.com