Danny and Tony Porter always knew they wanted to be parents. “I come from a big family—three brothers, two sisters—and I’ve always wanted kids,” said Danny. “It wasn’t about a biological connection. It was about building a family.”
Back to front; Renji, Leon, Danny, Tony, Hailey, Leland
But for the Porters, building a family didn’t only mean welcoming children into their home—it meant embracing the people connected to them, too. “When you adopt a child, you grow a whole extended family,” Tony said.
The Porters worked with Children’s Home for all three of their adoptions. “Children’s Home didn’t sugarcoat things,” said Tony. “They were honest and supportive. That’s why we stayed with them through all three adoptions.”
In 2012, they welcomed 11-year-old Leon, now 23. “He came in the door and immediately asked, ‘When do I get a phone?’” Danny laughed. “We said, ‘Let’s figure out dinner first.’”
Two years later, they adopted two-year-old Leland, now 12. “Actually, he’s going on 25!” said Tony. “He’s bright, high-energy, and fiercely independent.”
The two fathers have kept close ties with Leland’s birth grandmother, and his birth sister, Hailey, for whom they are hosting a party to celebrate her college graduation this year. “She’s like a daughter to us,” said Danny. “If she’s part of Leland’s life, she’s part of ours.”
In 2021, the Porter family grew once again when 7-year-old Renji, now 10, was welcomed home. While in foster care, Renji was separated from his younger sister, Olivia, but Danny and Tony have made sure the siblings stay close. “Those two have a connection that runs deep,” said Tony. “Whatever shape that takes, we’ll make sure they remain a part of each other’s lives. She’s family.”
All three children have identified needs, and the two youngest receive individualized support at school. Even though Danny and Tony work in social work and family support counseling, respectively, they don’t pretend parenting is easy. “When I get home, I take off my therapy hat,” Danny said. “I’m just Dad—and I don’t always get it right.”
The Porters remain active in the adoption and mental health communities. Danny co-facilitates the Pride Family Support Group at Children’s Home, and both are proud of the organization’s commitment to inclusion through the Human Rights Campaign’s All Children All Families program.
As for the future? “I hope our kids build meaningful lives and stay connected to their birth families and to us,” said Danny. “I joke that I want them to live with us forever. But the truth is, I just want them to always feel they have a home with us.”
