- Daniel Donaldson, a youth sports coach, met 14-year-old Alecia in 2019.
- When he and his wife Tiffany learned her foster care experience, they took her in and left the decision to be adopted to her.
- After 524 days, on Daniel’s birthday, Alecia surprised his now-dad with the sweetest question: “Will you adopt me?”
This could be the cutest and most emotional adoption you would ever witness.
Daniel Donaldson and his family made it clear with Alecia, their foster daughter, that the decision to be whether legally adopted or not was hers to make.
Daniel has been a youth sports coach in Haleyville, Alabama for many years. In 2019, after coaching Alecia, he became her mentor and friend.
Daniel and his family learned about Alecia’s foster care experience, and that made them decide to take her in.
A few months before Daniel’s birthday, Alecia asked his foster mom, Tiffany, to make it official. So, after 524 days, on Daniel’s birthday, Alecia surprised her now-dad, asking him to adopt him.
Alecia made the surprise with the three other children of the couple. They blindfolded him and lined up, holding a series of signs to share the good news.
“This man here started out as just my coach, but he stepped up when he didn’t have to,” read a sign. “He is now not only my coach. My encourager, my protector, my provider, but now the man I call daddy.”
Daniel was overcome with emotion as soon as he took off the blindfold and read the signs. And a warm hug capped off the surprise.
On Monday, Aleicia told World News Tonight that the moment was unforgettable.
“I will always remember that day and the hug he gave me,” the 14-year-old said. “When he hugged me I felt so happy and safe.”
Source: MSN