A teenager in foster care was finally adopted by someone very special to her
Daniel Donaldson and his family had always left the adoption decision up to Alecia so she planned a birthday surprise to make it official.
[Aug 4, 2021: Eric Noll and Haley Yamada]
Daniel Donaldson and his family had always left the decision up to their foster daughter if she would like to become legally adopted. So, after 524 days, Alecia planned a birthday surprise to make it official.
Donaldson, who has been a youth sports coach in Haleyville, Alabama, for many years, became a mentor and friend to 14-year-old Alecia after coaching her in 2019.
After he became aware of Alecia's foster care experience, the family said they didn’t hesitate to take her in.
A few months before Donaldson’s birthday, Alecia asked his wife Tiffany Donaldson to make it official. So on Donaldson’s birthday, Tiffany Donaldson, their three other children and Alecia, blindfolded him and lined up with a series of signs to share the good news.
“This man here started out as just my coach, but he stepped up when he didn’t have to,” read a sign. “He is now not only my coach. My encourager, my protector, my provider, but now the man I call daddy.”
When Donaldson took off the blindfold and read the signs, he was overcome with emotion and gave his new daughter a hug.
Aleicia told “World News Tonight” on Monday that the moment was unforgettable.
“I will always remember that day and the hug he gave me,” she said. “When he hugged me I felt so happy and safe.”
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Tags: #Good_News, #Family, #Adoption, #Surprise, #The_Brighter_Side_of_News
Joseph Shavit
Science News Writer, Editor-At-Large and Publisher
Joseph Shavit, based in Los Angeles, is a seasoned science journalist, editor and co-founder of The Brighter Side of News, where he transforms complex discoveries into clear, engaging stories for general readers. With experience at major media groups like Times Mirror and Tribune, he writes with both authority and curiosity. His work spans astronomy, physics, quantum mechanics, climate change, artificial intelligence, health, and medicine. Known for linking breakthroughs to real-world markets, he highlights how research transitions into products and industries that shape daily life.