“He always was our son,” shared Shonelle. “From the first day he came home, he was a part of our family.”

Shonelle introduced her baby boy, Harrington Jr., to her family — her father, siblings and other relatives. They always referred to him as her son. “They even threw me a baby shower.”

“It was just meant to be,” said Harrington, a proud and beaming father.

Shonelle and Harrington met their baby boy when he was just 7 days old. He was in the hospital and very small. “I remember his clothes were so big on him,” Harrington recalled.

Since that day, Harrington Jr., or Harry for short, has grown so much. The 18 month old loves music and has an excellent memory, humming along to the tunes he hears throughout the day.

“It doesn’t matter that I didn’t give birth to him,” said Shonelle. “I couldn’t love him more.” In celebration of National Adoption Month, she also hopes that other people open their homes to children in need of a home.

“These children do not chose the situation they are born into,” she said. “As parents, we offer love and affection and resources, but the reality is that as a parent or guardian, you gain so much more.” Shonelle and Harrington wouldn’t change anything for the world. “We are excited for the adoption finalization, but in our hearts, it’s always been official.”

To learn more about how to become a foster or adoptive parent, call our recruiter at 718-422-2405.