An Ohio courtroom was filled with joy on the morning of September 27. Emily Amlin added two new additions to her family. The adoption of Adrian, 4, and Adrianna, 7, was finalized by Hamilton County Probate Court Judge Ralph “Ted” Winkler. The family was surrounded by their closest friends. Their new big sister Elly, 9, told the judge, “I’m happy they can be with us.”
Emily is a single mom and third grade teacher at C.O. Harrison Elementary School. As a resident of Delhi Township she has been an active foster parent for over ten years. She adopted Kaley, 16, and Chloe, 14, in 2007 from foster care. Later she adopted Elly and Grace, who were 5 at the time. Amlin always felt she had the time, energy, and resources to help children on a more permanent level. “I believe we should all have some purpose here beyond ourselves,” she said. “My purpose involves taking care of these special children.”
Her parents adopted three boys in 1990. That, coupled with her faith, has influenced her path to motherhood. She is happy that before her father passed away, he was able to meet all of her children. She says the children act like any other siblings. They don’t always get along and they have good days and bad, but overall the group works well together. She has plans to continue her foster care journey once the family excitement has settled a bit.
There are over 400,000 children in foster care in the United States annually. More than 100,000 of those children are eligible for adoption. A large number of those kids reach 18 with no family and nowhere to go. Foster adoption can give an exceptional life to a child in need of a forever family.
