Well, we did it
Three years ago a young couple in their late twenties got a 16 y/o emaciated kid who'd been through more foster homes than he can count. One juvenile PO, two toxic/abusive relationships, three ambulance rides, four suicide attempts, and countless intoxicated hospital visits later he's officially an adult. He rents the basement suite in our house now. Employed, sober, finished treatment, a talented musician, in a healthy relationship, taking care of his own cat, can cook and clean for himself, and has a good relationship with his bio family and culture. He jokes around that we are gonna kick him out or start beating him now he isn't our foster kid anymore. I told him today that now he's officially an adult and no longer our foster kid we officially still love him. Celebrated his birthday with his bio family altogether.
He was our first foster child. We've had 5 come and go through our doors since then but he always stayed. We knew he belonged the day he arrived. Now my boy is all grown up and I couldn't be prouder of him. The system failed him in absolutely every way but we didn't fail him and he didn't fail himself. I know everything won't be smooth sailing now obviously but he is a part of our family and we will be there for him as long as he needs it.
So in case you're unsure whether to become a foster parent or to take that older teenager, try it. It might fail but you never know. If it's a desire of your heart and you have the determination to see it through success stories exist as well. We had no idea what we were doing when they dropped him off to us but somehow we muddled our way through it. I'm so freaking proud of him and of us. We did it. There's more to go but the first leg of the journey is officially completed.