“The family we always dreamed of!”

Jodi Kacz was a teacher who couldn’t have biological children of her own. Justin Orlando was a 4th grader who’d never had a family of his own. Somehow, they would be led to the very same classroom . . . and to become a family . . .

As the bell rang and students filed out of the elementary school, Jodi Kacz waved goodbye. “See you tomorrow!” the Phoenix teacher smiled.

She knew how blessed she was to have “her kids,” the term she affectionately called her students— especially since, after being diagnosed with a heart condition, her doctor determined she should no longer try to conceive a child.

At first, Jodi had been devastated by the news. Every night, she had prayed for God to send her a child to love. How can I go through life without being a mom? she wondered through tears.

So she and her husband, Scott, had discussed adopting. But, with the pain and disappointment still fresh, they hadn’t applied. And as time passed, Jodi pushed the hurt down, throwing herself into teaching “her kids.”

“He needs us!”

Then

one morning, Jodi welcomed a new student into her reading class: a fifth-grader named Orlando.

For Jodi, every student is special. And yet, there was just something about 10-year-old Orlando.

“Thank you, Mrs. Kacz,” Orlando would say, the perfect little gentleman, whether Jodi handed him a worksheet or helped him sound out a word. And after every test, he’d declare, “I’m going to work even harder next time!”

During recess, Jodi could see him with his classmates, his eyes sparkling. “Check out this magic trick I learned on Youtube!” he’d say.

Chatting with Scott, Jodi marveled, “You should see this child. He has such drive. And charisma!” She was quiet for a moment. “You know, if we ever did adopt—i’d love our child to be like Orlando.”

Soon after, Jodi discovered that Orlando was actually in foster care. She was shocked.

How could a boy who’d never had security or unconditional love always be so strong and full of joy?

Jodi did some research and learned that Orlando was up for adoption! And suddenly, she wondered: Could we be meant to give him the family he needs? The life he deserves?

After talking with Scott, Jodi contacted Orlando’s foster father —himself a school counselor. And eventually Orlando’s story spilled out: how he’d bounced from his mother to his grandfather as a toddler and preschooler, then spent several years in an orphanage before being taken in by a foster family. Poor baby! Jodi thought. There was something else astonishing, too: For years, she had volunteered in orphanages. And after hearing the name of Orlando’s orphanage, Jodi’s jaw dropped—she had been planning to visit at the same time Orlando had been there!

“All these signs . . . I really think he’s meant to be ours,” Jodi told Scott, who agreed instantly.

Two dreams come true

Jodi

called Orlando’s foster dad back. “You might think this is crazy, but I’ve been praying for a child like Orlando,” she explained.

“We pray every night for him to get a family, too,” came the reply.

Jodi and Scott began filling out paperwork and working with an adoption caseworker. But just in case something went wrong, they didn’t tell Orlando, not wanting to break his heart even more after everything he had endured.

Then one day at lunch, Orlando’s best friend, José, approached Jodi.

“You know, Mrs. Kacz, you should adopt Orlando!” he suggested.

Orlando smiled shyly. “Yeah. You’d be the perfect mom for me!”

Jodi nearly burst at the seams. So after learning it was just a matter of time from the caseworker, they sat Orlando down. “We do want to adopt you!” she blurted.

Orlando’s eyes grew wide. “Really?” he cried, hugging Jodi.

As they waited for approval, Jodi and Orlando had lunch together at school. And she and Scott invited him to their house, where they’d eat pizza and play games.

It’s like he’s meant to be here, Jodi marveled, her heart— once broken and ailing—feeling full.

Finally, adoption day arrived. To celebrate, Jodi had taken Orlando shopping. He stood before the judge in his bright pink tie and new shoes. And when they were declared an official forever family, Orlando wrapped his arms around Jodi and exclaimed, “This is the best day of my life!” “Mine, too,” Jodi whispered. Today, 11-year-old Orlando— who, along with his new life, has chosen a new first name: Justin— has settled into his new life and family. He’s part of a dance troupe, loves video games and drawing with Scott, and still works hard in school, getting mostly A’s!

“It’s awesome having a mom who loves you with all her heart,” he says. “This is the mom and dad I always wished for!” Jodi beams. “Justin wakes up and goes to bed with a smile. And so do I!” she says. “I believe we were destined to meet. And now we both have the family we always dreamed of!”

“I didn’t give you the gift of life. Life gave me you” the gift of UNKNOWN