Forever Changed: Eight Years Later
“When I walked in her room, I saw this tiny little bundle all alone in a dark, quiet hospital room, and my heart melted. She was miniature-sized perfection.”
Eight years ago, single foster mom, Marissa held Cami in her arms for the first time. Born premature, she was only four pounds. Her first two fragile months of life were spent in the hospital.
The day after they got home, things were going well until Marissa was feeding her one afternoon. Cami quit sucking her bottle and dropped her head slightly, which were signs of dropping oxygen saturation levels.
She flipped Cami on her back and administered CPR, which she learned during her foster parent training at ABCH. Marissa immediately took her to the NICU. While there, she received extensive training on best practices for feeding Cami, using bottles made specifically for ultra-preemie babies. This would prevent her from being overwhelmed with the amount she was drinking.
At that point, Marissa was taking things day by day, answering God’s call to care for sweet, fragile Cami. “The Lord brought me Cami at a time when I was sort of wandering, not sure where He was leading, but just putting one foot in front of the other,” said Marissa while reflecting on those first days.
Marissa could have never guessed that after 595 days in foster care, she would officially adopt Cami, and they would become a forever family.
Not long after the adoption, Zac and his two children came into their lives. It didn’t take Marissa long to know he was the dad they had been praying for. After they married, he officially adopted Cami, and they became a family of five. “He loves hard and has stepped into the adoptive world with an open mind and heart,” Marissa shared.
Today, Cami is an energetic and curious first grader. She’s always thinking and trying to figure people out. She loves playing outside. She just learned how to ride her bike without training wheels. She loves dogs and excitedly asks every person she meets if they have a puppy. Most importantly, she’s thriving in a safe, loving home with her forever family.
“Cami’s story has taught me so much about perseverance, deep love, and trusting God with every detail,” Marissa said, reflecting on the last eight years. “Cami came into this world through trauma. She is an overcomer.”
You can make a difference for vulnerable children like Cami. Not everyone is called to foster, but everyone can do something. To learn how, visit here.