By Olivia Daprile

On Friday, November 16, over 130 foster children were legally adopted by families across the state. Five courthouses opened their doors throughout Massachusetts on National Adoption Day, an annual event which aims to celebrate adoption and spread awareness about the thousands of foster children in need of adoptive families.

One of these families was Emily Ackman and Jonah Larkins-Ford, of Somerville Mass, who officially adopted their son, Tristan.

Adoption was something that mom, Emily, always knew she wanted to do. She had been planning to adopt since she was ten years old. Emily and Jonah were childhood friends who later reconnected. Jonah had family members who were adopted and was also interested in adoption.

The family got the call for their son, Tristan, in January of 2016. Their journey to adoption was a long, emotional one, but the family was grateful for the help of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and that Tristan was able to remain in their care through the duration of the process.

Just after Tristan was placed in Emily and Jonah’s home, the couple found out they were pregnant with a daughter. Today, their daughter is two years old and Tristan is thyree. Life is hectic with two toddlers, but they wouldn’t change it for the world.

Together, the family loves spending time together, visiting the Museum of Science, and travelling.

“Since its inception almost two decades ago, National Adoption Day provides a necessary and focused opportunity to support and celebrate the tens of thousands of children who have been adopted,” said Lisa Funaro, Executive Director of MARE. “There is such a great need to find adoptive homes for children right here in the Commonwealth and this event helps to raise awareness among residents, legislators and potential adoptive families.”

MARE, DCF, the Juvenile Court Department of the Massachusetts Trial Court, the Probate and Family Court Department of the Massachusetts Trial Court, and local adoption agencies have organized this special day to celebrate the joys of adoption and encourage more people to give children what they need most – a permanent, loving home.

To learn more about adoption from foster care in general, visit www.mareinc.org, or call 617-964-MARE (6273). Through its campaign, Foster MA, DCF continues to grow its community of foster parents and pre-adoptive parents. Information is available online, www.mass.gov/foster-care, or by calling (800) 543-7508.