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New families founded at Adoption Day event in Ottawa County

State data says there are more than 2,000 kids eligible for adoption in Michigan.

WEST OLIVE, Mich. — Adoption day is celebrated across Michigan every November. This year, 30 courts around the state are participating in adoption-related events. According to data from the state, as of September 30 this year, 2,028 kids are eligible for adoption in Michigan.

Ottawa County hosted a ceremony at the Fillmore Complex on Tuesday morning to help get those kids into good homes. While the process is typically finalized in private, on Tuesday, families got a chance to sign the papers in public and showcase the importance of adopting. 

At first for the Follett family, there were nerves.

"Like, nervous excited," says Nala Follett.

But those quickly faded as the papers were signed. As of Tuesday, the Follett's are officially a family.

"There's a little bit of a sense of freedom today to just be a family," says Rachael Follett.

She and her husband, Josh, have both thought of adoption for a while now.

"I think that it was a calling that was on both of our hearts," says Rachael.

They decided to foster first, welcoming Lily and Nala into their home. Almost immediately, everyone knew the foster tag wouldn't last long.

"I felt like they were my actual, like, forever family within the first couple of weeks," says Nala. "Something in my gut told me that, like, I belonged here."

Now the girls are Folletts instead of fosters, and they are excited for the future.

Now, their new parents hope others consider adoption as well.

"It's just saying one yes at a time," says Rachael. "Don't make a decision that's fear based."

    

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