Children, families take part in 28th annual Adoption Day

WASHINGTON — There are new families in the nation’s capital, united by love and
adoption.

Colorful balloon bouquets decorated the third floor atrium at D.C. Superior
Court, where judges presided over the 28th annual Adoption Day.

Thirty-eight children, aged 19 months to 19 years, have been adopted by same-sex
couples, grandparents, aunts and uncles. In one case, a 26 year old woman, after
years of trying, adopted her 14-year-old sister.

“It’s been very good and very draining, touching, teary,” says 10-year-old
Michael Settles, describing the emotions of being adopted.

One by one, the children, with their new adoptive families, approached the
family judge who signed the final adoption decree.

Some of the children have been given new first and last names as they embark
upon lives with their new families.

At 19, Natasha Reilly is the oldest of the adopted children.

“It feels real good for somebody to come into your life,” Reilly says. “It feels
real awesome for that to happen. It’s like a major comeback.”

All children adopted in D.C. this past year, along with their families, were
invited to the ceremony. Maddy Katz, 11, was adopted as a baby and offered some
advice to the newly adopted kids.

“Tell people that you’re adopted and that it’s a good thing because then you’ll
be spreading the word about adoption, “Katz says, “and it would be nice so that
more kids have homes.”

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