For Marianna, Fla., couple Dashoan and Sofia Olds, the longing to adopt children has always been on their hearts and minds. The couple did something truly remarkable however, when they decided to adopt not one, but SEVEN kids, all siblings, who were previously separated among several foster homes.
The duo said it wasn’t until they saw a local news story on “The Lucky Seven” that they immediately felt it was their calling to adopt them.
“It was a done deal from the day we saw the story, before we even met them it was a done deal,” Sofia Olds told local station WJHG. “When I saw that picture — it was a done deal for me, honestly … We looked at each other and said we’ve got to do this, it’s time. There’s no maybe, we have to do this.”
And the couple did just that.
Dashoan and Sofia happily welcomed Dava, Eric, Erica, Leondras, Necia, Reginald and Zavian into their home, as well as their hearts, the news station reported. Twelve-year-old Necia, the oldest in the bunch, admitted she never thought this day would come.
“We thought we would never get adopted, but I thought this was a really good blessing for us,” the young girl said.
Blair Bell with the local Children’s Home Society said she was advised to have the children adopted separately, but refused and made it her mission to find them a home where they could live as one big, happy family.
“I heard from so many people that finding a home for seven children would be impossible,” Bell said. “Siblings is, that’s the longest bond that you’ll have; it was very important to find a home that would be able to take all seven and make a real forever family.”
The couple told WJHG they have a lot to teach their new sons and daughters. Dashoan said he and his wife plan to build their children’s faith and education.
“We’re going to get them active in a sport or an activity, or something extracurricular,” he added. “And we’re going to love each other so, we’re going to do all of it.”
Sofia and Dashoan encouraged other couples considering adoption to keep an open mind and remember there’s never truly a perfect time for anything, the station reported.
