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When Christie Werts, 48, met her husband Wesley, 45, five years ago, little did they know their family was about to get even bigger.<\/p>\n
At first, their blended families included Christie\u2019s children \u2013 Megan, 21 and Vance, 15 \u2013 as well as Wesley\u2019s kids: Austin, 14, and Dakota, 10. <\/p>\n
But then Wesley\u2019s ex-wife, and mother of Austin and Dakota, passed away suddenly after struggling with addiction issues \u2013 leaving behind a newborn baby called Levi.<\/p>\n
Not wanting Levi to end up in foster care, like 48-year-old Christie did as a child, and wanting Austin and Dakota to have their brother in their lives, the couple made the huge decision to adopt him.<\/p>\n
\u2018When I heard about Levi, without hesitation I said we should take him,\u2019 said Christie, who works in IT and lives in Ohio, US.<\/p>\n
\u2018I myself was a foster kid and, although for the most part, I had a great experience, I did not want him going to foster care.<\/p>\n
\u2018My husband did not really speak to the biological mum\u2019s family often, but she had Levi on a Monday and passed away that Friday.<\/p>\n
\u2018We lived in another state at the time, so we sold our home in Ohio and rented a house in Texas because we had to officially foster to adopt him.<\/p>\n
\u2018So we did \u2013 the process took 16 months.\u2019<\/p>\n
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She added: \u2018Although, my experience was overall as good as it can be in foster care, I just knew I loved my step-kids enough to make sure they got to be with their half-brother.<\/p>\n
\u2018I did not want Levi to end up in the foster care system.<\/p>\n
\u2018If I said I did not [have concerns beforehand], that would not be honest.<\/p>\n
\u2018I love kids and bonded with my step-kids real quick. I also was in love with my bio kids at first sight.<\/p>\n
\u2018This was different \u2013 I was going to walk into a child I never met and was worried the circumstances would hinder this \u201cinstant love\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u2018But he stole my heart. I also felt this intense need to protect him.\u2019<\/p>\n
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Now little Levi, who\u2019s almost two, is an official member of the family as the adoption papers went through in January 2023.<\/p>\n
Christie said: \u2018We already felt he was our son. But on paper, he was a child with no first name, no birth certificate, and was a ward of the state.<\/p>\n
\u2018Just to know he would have a birth certificate [and] a legal first name was very emotional. I had dreams about him before we even knew about him.<\/p>\n
\u2018We prayed for him, so here was the moment we feel god had planned.\u2019<\/p>\n
Christie said Levi loves his home, calling him \u2018king of the house\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u2018We are all very close,\u2019 she added.<\/p>\n
\u2018He won\u2019t understand the journey right now, but someday I will let him know we fought for him. The kids are living a normal life again. No caseworkers, no inspections \u2013 just sports and friends.<\/p>\n
\u2018I am currently working on a book about my life as a foster kid, including our adoption story \u2013 which is a tragic and beautiful story.\u2019<\/p>\n
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When it comes to others who might be considering adoption and blending a family, she advised: \u2018First, make sure your relationship is super solid before you introduce the kids.<\/p>\n
\u2018I think my husband and I both made the mistake of introducing people [former partners] to our kids, just for that person to not be around anymore.<\/p>\n
\u2018They may have other parents but treat those kids as if they were yours \u2013 that\u2019s important for both you and your partner.<\/p>\n
\u2018The process to adopt from foster care is not for the faint of heart. I read a comment once that someone said people adopt out of selfishness for themselves, not the child.<\/p>\n
\u2018You must have that desire for a child [but] a desire to want, love, and care for a child at any age has to be just as important as helping a child.<\/p>\n
\u2018Take each day at a time because the system is not perfect.\u2019<\/p>\n
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Christie has also shared some snippets of their journey on TikTok, (@cjthemom5), and with one video showing Levi as a baby in an incubator after his premature birth.<\/p>\n
\u2018I wasn\u2019t sure if I would be able to bond adopting my husband\u2019s ex-wife\u2019s baby,\u2019 the caption read, while the rest of the clip shows pictures and moments of them together as he grows.<\/p>\n
Comments under the post, which has garnered 900,000 views and 30,000 likes, are full of support.<\/p>\n
One person wrote: \u2018My heart melted. What an amazing story. Your little guy is absolutely beautiful.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Congrats on your bundle of joy. Some babies are born from the belly and some from the heart,\u2019 said another.<\/p>\n