A stepdad who had no children of his own but gave everything to his stepchildren for more than 26 years couldn’t hold back his tears of joy when he was asked to become their legal father.
David Lacy, 51, from New Jersey, received the wholesome request on his 51st birthday, with his wife, TK, reading out a note from his stepchildren, Ashley, 34, Rusty, 30, and Courtney, 29.
At the end of the note, there was a question: “Will you finally adopt us?” before David was handed the formal paperwork.
Ashley, who shared the moment on social media, said David knew a relationship with their mom meant he’d never have children of his own, but it didn’t stop him from stepping up for his three stepkids.
David was there through school dances, homework, graduations, teaching the kids how to drive, births of grandchildren, breakups, and even walking Ashley down the aisle on her wedding day.
But without their biological father’s permission when they were younger, the three siblings could not ask David to be their legal dad, Ashley said.
Having been inspired as adults by watching adoption request videos online, though, the Cuthberts contacted their local courthouse and started working on getting the necessary paperwork in place.
Speaking of the moment David was presented with those papers, on November 14, Ashley said: “He started crying instantly and kept staring at us, I think in shock.
“He’s not a very emotional guy, but we all started crying as well.
“David came over and hugged us and said yes, he would adopt us, and we all hugged and cried it out.
“It made my heart so happy seeing his reaction.
“I want everyone that has stepchildren or stepparents or are going through divorces to know that just because your family might be separated, it’s never broken.
“People come into your life for a reason and can make such a difference, changing your life for the best.
“Our stepdad became our father at a young age, and without him we wouldn’t be who we are today.
“He’s the best thing that has ever happened to us.”