Not only does Michael Clark have a family that will love him unconditionally for the rest of his life, but he also has classmates who love him a whole lot too.
His classmates are so supportive that he invited his entire kindergarten class to his adoption hearing.
“We began the school year as a family,” Clark’s teacher, Kerry McKee, said, according to 13 On Your Side. “Family doesn’t have to be DNA, because family is support and love.”
Some of Michael’s classmates, who were waving paper hearts in their seats, even got to tell the judge why they decided to come to the hearing saying,” Michael is my best friend.”
Michael was one of the 36 kids whose adoptions became official on Kent County, Michigan’s 23 annual adoption day.
“Sometimes their journeys have been very long, they’ve included miracle and change for the children and family and incredible community support as you’re able to see today in Michael’s adoption hearing,” Honorable Judge Patricia Gardner said. “His whole kindergarten class and school being here to say ‘we love you,’ and ‘we support you’ and ‘we’ll be here not only today but in all the years in the future.'”
Michael’s parents, David Eaton and his wife Andrea Melvin, said the boy was overjoyed that his classmates were there to support him on his special day.
“He was really excited they were there,” Eaton told BuzzFeed News. “He views his classmates as his extended family so it was a highlight for him. He was definitely having fun there.”
David Eaton and his wife Andrea Melvin were initially looking to foster and eventually adopt.
They immediately knew they wanted Michael to be their son after meeting him.
“It was pretty clear right off the bat that he was a really special kid,” Eaton said
Michael is bursting with energy and loves to talk to people.
That’s probably why so many of his classmates are his friends.
“I love my daddy!” he exclaimed to news reporters.
Michael was 5 when he was adopted and had been in and out of the foster care system.
Michael’s classmates weren’t the only ones who wanted to support Michael.
“I called our bus garage and she said that I hadn’t asked for permission in time, you need two weeks to process a request,” McKee said. “Then the driver there asked what it was for and I told her and she said you can have the bus and I’ll drive for free.”
Many parents also volunteered to take time off of work so they could chaperone the trip to the courthouse. One student even postponed his trip to Florida so he could be there for his best friend.
“We had them pick what color heart they wanted to bring and put them on rulers because, ‘love rules,'” McKee told BuzzFeed. “I’m corny like that. But I am riding this love wave with such passion because I feel so honored and blessed that anyone, even you, is interested in what we did in little old Grand Rapids Michigan.”
But lots of people were interested in Michael’s story. A photo of the adoption event on Kent County’s Facebook page ended up going viral.
Learn more about Michael’s story in the video below.
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