November 18th is a special day in Sam’s life. It’s the anniversary of the day his adoption by his parents, Steve and Kelly, became legal. It’s why he chose the same date in 2023 to host his senior project for Spectrum High School: a fundraising breakfast benefiting Children’s Home Society of Minnesota, the organization that facilitated his adoption.
Sam hoped to raise $200 for Children’s Home by selling tickets to the breakfast and raffle tickets. The final take of $1,400 blew him away. “People were very generous!” said Sam. “Even better, a donor matched the funds dollar-for-dollar, so the total contribution was doubled.”
The family’s adoption journey began 30-some years ago when Sam’s mother, Kelly, learned in her mid-20s that she couldn’t have biological children. The discovery ended her first marriage and threatened her dream of being a mother. But she determined then she would adopt a child from Guatemala, regardless of marital status.
And then she met Steve, a single father with two children. He was on board with Kelly’s play to adopt. They married in 2004.
By August of 2005, the couple had photos of a three-day-old Sam. Six months later, the extended family met the baby boy in Guatemala. The adoption was finalized on November 18, 2006. Kelly recalls that even at his young age, Sam “was old enough to high-five the judge” in celebration once everything was officially complete.
The adoption process, said Kelly, had its ups and downs. But Children’s Home helped smooth the bumps. “They were right there to support us. I will forever be grateful,” she said.
“Me, too!” said Sam. “I was happy to be able to give back to the organization that affected my life so positively.”
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