Former foster kid asked to be adopted by a family he sold a car to: 'I’m blessed'
'When you go without love for a long time and are presented with it, it’s weird. It feels like you’re starting a new job.'
Davon Woods (@davonwoodsfc on TikTok), then 27, was working for a dealership company when he met the Wilkinsons, who had arrived to purchase a car. A year later, the man, who was raised in the foster care system, sat them down and asked if they could adopt him, becoming his forever family. Davon shared the tear-jerking moment in August 2022.
@davonwoodsfc Asking them if the would become my forever family ❤️🙏🏽 #fosterkidsmatter❤️ #fostercare #davonwoods #adoption #share #love ♬ original sound - D Rich 💰
Having spent his substantial years in foster care, Woods never knew what family feels like. When Sarah Wilkonson heard his story, she made sure that Woods stayed in touch with her and her family, according to Good News Network. They met whenever they could, and their bond grew over time. On his 27th birthday, the Wilkinsons invited Davon for dinner and asked him to join them for Thanksgiving later that year. More than a year later, Davon finally asked the Wilkonsons to adopt him. "It was weird to be in a loving environment. I've never had a relationship with any parents ever, adoptive or biological. It was something I’d always wanted. I’ve always wanted to say, 'This is my family,'" he said. In a video message, Davon confessed, "I just want you to know that you guys mean the world to me." Moving on, he said it was hard for him to grow up without a family, but everything changed when he met them. "You all showed me the definition of family," Davon added. In the end, he humbly asked if he could change his last name to Wilkinson, and the family was all in tears.
Reportedly, Davon quit his job and founded 'Foster Kids Matter,' an organization for foster children in Georgia. Talking about it, he said, "I was inspired to become a foster kids advocate. If I hadn’t had that experience, I would never have done it. When you go without love for a long time and are presented with it, it’s weird. It feels like you’re starting a new job." He added, "It was very emotional to me because they gave me love that I’ve never received, and often we think because of the color of our skin, we’re supposed to be separate, but I’m blessed to have them in my life." Davon and his brother had an unbelievably difficult childhood. The twin brothers were born to a mother who had no prenatal care and even used narcotics while she was pregnant. Soon after their birth, the brothers were put in foster care and later adopted as toddlers, InspireMore reported. "We had a very difficult childhood with our adoptive family. We got physically and verbally abused, we were never given a voice, and they never once told us they loved us. It felt like we were just a paycheck, but we were too young and afraid to tell anyone what was happening at home, " Davon explained.
Research suggests that parental absence may harm children's physical and social psychological development, and it can also lead to negative outcomes later in life. The survey found that children who weren't around even a single parent while growing up, almost always ended up reporting worse physical and mental health. While it isn't clear if Davon had any such issues growing up, his healing definitely came with his encounter with the Wilkinsons. Reacting to his story, @angikayy commented, "I'm not crying, you are; this is the sweetest thing that I have ever seen! The love in his voice, my goodness!" @terrid31 said, "That was beautiful! May God continue to bless you and your forever family. Many blessings! Whew, I had to grab a tissue." @therealashcat said, "You truly have the biggest heart in the world, and you are so deserving of this family that loves you! I’m so happy and proud of you!"
@chrissy_1622 wrote, "I know it’s clear they all love him, but that dad just seems to have a different type of love. His face throughout the whole thing was captivating." @callmemelissuhh shared, "As a former foster kid, this made me bawl. I’m so glad you found a great and good home! And now a family!" Echoing the sentiments, @rag_doll5 confessed, "As soon as you said, 'I never had a mother to hug me,' I lost it! So glad you found your forever family."
You can follow D Rich (@davonwoodsfc) on TikTok for family-related content.
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