Family given priority in adoption?

I was told our kids (21 and 7 months old at the time of adoption) PROBABLY would have been moved to relatives if there had been interest. We would have had the right to fight for adoption, but at that point it would have been at our own expense....which we would have gladly done. The bp's on our case also specified that they only wanted us to adopt, and not family, but I was told that while they can make the request it does not guarantee because they children are technically in state custody and not bp's. I hope all goes well for your friends, but as fp's we have to be prepared for family to step forward at any time. That is why foster/adopt is such a risk for someone specifically wanting to adopt.