My closest friend---closer even than my brothers---aged out of foster care and did his best to get a job, apartment and be ready for his brother who'd age out of foster care. In MN you could leave foster care at 16 then those two waited for their brother to age out at 16. Those brothers did there very best to care for each other. They we light and love even after all the hell they went through. I so wished they had found a family like you did as it was so very, very hard for them even together. God bless you and your life and family.

Somewhere Skip Bayless (not sure if I spelled his last name correctly) mother sits in her home crying realizing after all her exhausting efforts she did in fact raise a 💩head.

Bless you! You helped us feel even more determined to adopt an older child. You are an amazing young man! I'm so happy you found a family who you love and who loves you. Every child deserves that.

What a beautiful, uplifting story! I hope that you and your family are doing well.

Can we get rid of the dance-club soundtracks on these? Or at least turn them down in comparison to the game audio?

Congratulations on setting goals and working towards them and achieving them! You were proactive in thinking about what you wanted in life and how to achieve it! Great job advocating for yourself with your case manager when you decided you wanted to be adopted! You can be happy and proud as well as thankful that you are nearing college graduation. You are a kind person to think about other older kids out there who want to be adopted and to try to help them by reassuring prospective adoptive parents about your successful adoption story. Keep looking ahead, setting goals, and working to achieve them. Even if there are hard patches along the way and you have to make adjustments to your plans, never give up! You are worth it. You have something valuable to give to others. Your life is meaningful.

Thank you so much for this ❤. We are beginning to look into adopting a 15 year old from Columbia, and it’s great to hear that you were able to bond with your family.

Your statement, "I am not an expert," is quite the understatement. Your personality traits, based on observing your videos, are rather obvious: you exhibit empathy, patience, compassion, resilience, resourcefulness, flexibility, communication skills, dedication, cultural sensitivity, problem-solving skills, organizational skills, advocacy drive, personal integrity, and a realistic but positive attitude. In short, you have it all. The only thing you might lack, since I don't know your educational background, is professional training and diplomas to position you highly in the related field. You might even consider more esoteric fields like sports psychology or anything else that piques your interest. I wonder if you have ever considered rerouting and committing your professional life to that field. Also, please forgive my boldness. While I am not a health professional and could be completely wrong, I feel that you are somewhat underutilizing your talents. Based on my own experience, we can be affected by such common factors as our diet. Alternatively, it could just be a sign of your natural modesty, but even if that is the case, it is an unnecessary self-limitation in our cultural reality. Chris, thank you for being exactly who you are, because you are exceptional already. Who knows? You might have already changed the life of a child or a parent who saw your video, and we will never know it.

Thank you for this amazing and informative video! We are an italian couple (from Rome) who wants to adopt sibling teenagers from the Philippines (international adoption) but a lot of social workers try to discourage us because they believe it will be very hard and because we are considered a young couple (me 40 and my wife 32 years old). (little beckground: my wife is Filipina) Your video help us a lot to understand what a teenager is passing through. Thank you so much one more time for sharing your story! Hey, if you pass by Rome, let us know! :-)

Recruiting rankings don't mean crap if you're already loaded

My dad is 72 and walks 5 miles a day with his dog, ski’s, goes boating, hiking, kung fu twice a week as a black belt, snow shoeing, white water rafting, canoeing, camping, daily weights and everything physical. Old to one person may not be old to another. I’m 45 and feel 20! I don’t feel old yet.

Do I need to be a licensed foster parent to adopt a foster child?

I have inquired about adopting a couple teens in foster care a week ago and haven’t heard back from them yet. I’m mostly looking at 12-15 age range. Both my grandparents grew up in foster care then aged out never adopted.

Wow Beautiful Story l love it and I'm very happy u got adopted 2 beautiful family ❤️💙💙💯💖💙❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ God Bless U Always 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 From Breeley Colorado

Soooo mfn amazing during the season untill Clemson

Best time ever being a bama fanatic

Thanks for sharing your story.💕💕💕

Thank you for being so open & honest. You’re giving hope to other kids & potential adoptive parents 🥰

❤adoption is truly amazing I’m happy for you

Thank-you! For your advice on adoption older children in the foster care system. I needed this confirmation on adopt older teen who needs stability, permanent home to call their own.

Just a follow up after watching the whole video I got trigger happy and commented 3 minutes in first comment. I did this as a single 30 year old guy. And I would recommend it to you too I think it helped get a tad more perspective being in the other role. And also both kids came in as fosters and I committed permanently to them day one coming from your shoes so once again you nailed many points spot on but I do want to see you pay it forward and be that home that’s needed it’s deff needed for the kids and that should be the intent and priority however for you the former foster child you’ll see a few things come full circle. On my oldest I met him while visiting my sons previous foster home and he had asked his caseworker to call me the day he was taken out that home. Didn’t hear from them for six months and one day I got that call. I said yes and it took me a year and a half the second time first time was wayyyy easier the second time I went through the process twice, had to buy a new house, all kinds of craziness in order to pull it off. I asked him why did he tell his caseworker to call me they had a home lined up and he said no. I barely knew him but he said because he knew I’d be the only person who could handle him. And my man must be in sales it hit a chord what would you say to that? I’m not ready I can’t excuse excuse. Nah. Nike just do it. And you can see add me on Facebook Tavis carnegie not hard to find I’m not much different then you man. I’m just out here trying to make it for myself and I damn sure wasn’t even ready the first time 2 kids and 3 years playing dad under my belt I’m still trying to figure it all out. And I’ll be honest with you if I was never sitting in his shoes or yours, if I couldn’t understand the desperation he felt and understand how much he needed it, I certainly would have backed out! And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it helped me grow up faster didn’t have a choice at that point. Shouldn’t adopt until you’re ready but the catch is you ain’t ever ready till after you do and it’s not that you get ready after you just understand more and more you couldn’t have possibly been ready.

Hey bud I’m a adoptee myself 33 though and saw you first video on your story years ago and anytime I’m working with a potential parent because I work with an agency during the impact class Q&A panel and I think your video helps me push people towards older children. I’ve pushed that video numerous classes and it’s the icing on the cake. Also since watching your video I myself went out and adopted a 13 year old. I had already adopted a 8 year old prior to watching the first video about 18 months ago. So was very excited to see this video pop up on my suggestions today

Me everytime I drink Gold Peak tea by accident. Oh, and you got a regular one, not a bad one. They're all bad. xD

This sounds JUST like what they have been saying about Saban and "bad times" recently 😂 there falling into his trap again

Can you tell me what stereotype people often have for foster kids??

Good song for the background! Hills and Valleys could be a very inspirational song for kids going through a rough child hood. Happy to hear your story and that things turned out ok! My wife and I are starting the process to be foster parents with the goal to adopt, so it's helpful to hear that there is hope.

I am in the process of getting licensed as foster/adopt a teen. I have been leaning more toward a girl as I felt the fit into my life would be better. After listening to your story and reasons for wanting to be adopted as a teenager, I have opened up the option to boys as well. I hope I can have as positive impact on a teen as your family has provided you.

Thank you for your testimony, your experience is priceless

My husband n I are thinking of fostering to adopt an older child. Your video is very positive n it seems down to earth. Bravo to you n your family for finding each other!!

Blessed. I'm adopted too. Keep sharing your testimony...

Wish the music was as sophisticated as the playing.

You’re so sweet but I know your secret. You did not have allergies. It’s okay to cry. Jk. I hope you feel better. All I’m saying is we’re all crying in happiness for you.

Is Skippy still employed, ANYWHERE?

Keep it up, you seem like an amazing man

How do I turn off the obnoxious pseudo - music?

You are really a good kid. Some adopted children believe that training a child is all smooth. Bit that is not. The way a child has emotions, the parents also have. Let's me grateful for a stable home and sweet family.

Chris, I just finished listening to your video. Your story is so powerful, heart wrenching, and heart warming all at the same time. I hate to think of so many teens not being adopted. I love that God sent you a wonderful family. Thank you for taking the time to share your story. I'm single and am thinking of adopting a teenager. This is a big decision for me. It needs to be bathed in prayer. May God bless you as you walk out His plan and purpose for your life.

Just makes me more convinced of what I need to do. Im so glad your family found you ♡

You have moved my heart to adopt a teen. Please pray my husband will be moved to be on board. We are starting the process to foster to adopt but originally planned on adopting an infant. Thank you for this beautiful testimony. God bless you!

I am looking into adopting an older child. Both my grandparents aged out of foster care which affected my grandma her entire life. Hoping to make a difference.

I’m sold, Chris. Thank you for sharing your story. Good luck to you!

Wish the music was half as good as the ball. So called music sucks

Good for you, great story.

Chris, thank you for sharing your story. I am interested in adopting an older child & I wanted to hear your story. Best wishes in your journey as you share your story.

Thank you Chris!

We are adopting a 14 year old girl out of foster care in part because I saw this video about a year ago and my heart was touched. Thank you for speaking up!

Dios te bendiga😍

Chris you have such a pure heart❤

I would love to see many more of your videos!!!!!!

Your testimony has brought me to tears so amazing!!!!!!!!!!! May God bless you forever 💜💚💙🧡💛