Children’s Home Little Red Stocking

On Christmas morning, Krysten and Joe Foster made the two-hour drive from their hotel in Varanasi, India, to an orphanage in Robertsganj. Just days earlier, they had left their home in Minnesota, filled with anticipation and nerves, hoping the moment they had long dreamed of — the moment they would become parents — was finally here.

They’d been preparing for this day for three years. After countless hours of paperwork, background checks, training sessions and pandemic-related delays, they were finally on the verge of meeting their daughter. They were excited, nervous and overwhelmed with emotion as they made this long-awaited final stage of the journey that would forever change their lives.

Krysten and Joe were officially matched with a little girl named Sophia in late 2022. When the first photos came through, Krysten was visiting her mom in Florida and had to sneak a quiet phone call with Joe back in Minnesota. “We were both overwhelmed,” Krysten said. “Seeing her face for the first time made everything feel real. It was like our hearts just knew this was our daughter.”

Once the Fosters arrived at the orphanage, the director greeted them warmly. “If you’re here,” he said, “you must come celebrate Christmas with us.” Inside, the staff had prepared a small holiday celebration with balloons, cake and songs. And there, among the children, was Sophia.

“She didn’t know what was going on,” Joe said. “But we did.”

The Fosters spent time playing with Sophia outside in the courtyard. She was quiet and curious, studying them closely, taking in every detail. The next day, they returned to the orphanage, packed up Sophia’s few belongings and left as a family of three.

“She fell asleep in our arms shortly after we left the orphanage,” Krysten said. “It felt like she already knew she was safe and a part of our family. That moment when we were holding her, knowing she was ours, that’s a moment that we will never forget.

“We had always talked about expanding our family through adoption,” Krysten said. “We recognized we had the means to provide a good home for a child. And given our love of travel and learning about different countries and communities, combined with wanting to make the world a better place, we found Sophia.”

The Fosters chose India because of its stable adoption program and Children’s Home’s long history of working there. The organization’s expertise in adopting from India became invaluable to Krysten and Joe as they navigated the unexpected complexities of international paperwork and prepared to become parents.

“There were forms we didn’t know how to fill out, notarizations we didn’t know we needed, and delays because of COVID,” Joe said. Fortunately, their social worker at Children’s Home, Karne, was with them every step of the way as they completed their application and related paperwork.

“She also made sure we were adopting for the right reasons,” said Krysten. “And she helped us understand what it means to be ready not just to adopt, but to parent. She asked the hard questions and helped us grow into the kind of parents Sophia would need.”

“We never would’ve gotten through it without Children’s Home,” Joe added. “They were our guide, our support system and our biggest champions.”

Now four, Sophia is thriving. She’s curious, helpful and full of personality. She sings her ABCs and counts to 20. “She’s always watching and learning,” Krysten said. “She wants to be part of everything.” Whether she’s stacking blocks, flipping through picture books or dancing in the living room, Sophia brings energy and joy into every corner of their home.

The Fosters have found a rhythm as a family. Their home in Fergus Falls is filled with laughter, books and the joyful chaos of toddlerhood. But they’re also intentional about creating space for reflection, connection and honoring Sophia’s story. They understand that adoption is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey that requires care, openness and love every step of the way.

Every December 26, they celebrate the day in India when Sophia left her orphanage and joined their family. They light candles, share Indian food and tell the story of how they became a family. “It’s our way of honoring both her story and our family’s story,” Krysten said. It’s a tradition that grounds them, reminding them of how far they’ve come and how deeply they are connected.

The Fosters also celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, alongside Christmas. “We want Sophia to grow up knowing and feeling proud of where she comes from,” Joe said. “It’s important to us that she sees her heritage reflected in our home.” These celebrations are more than just holidays; they are moments that create a sense of unity as a family.

Reflecting on the adoption process, Krysten acknowledged how long and challenging the road was. “It’s a long journey, and some days are really hard,” she said. “But when you finally get to hold your child, it’s the most rewarding feeling. We’re so grateful for the support we had from everyone at Children’s Home.” That support helped them navigate the unknowns, stay grounded in their purpose and prepare for the parenting journey ahead.