By Cindy Adams

Wil and Justin wanted children. "How" was yet to be determined. "When" was also unknown. "How many" became clear as the judge's hammer hit her desk, proclaiming them a family of five. The joyful strike marked a turning point for three young children — and it resonated deeply in the hearts of two new fathers.

It wasn't long ago that Wil and Justin fostered two other children they intended to adopt but that was denied because they were a same sex couple. They were both surprised and heartbroken by that decision. Healing took time, but when they engaged with enCircle, some hope was rekindled. That's when three siblings, ages 13, 8 and 6 entered the system needing a lasting home. Justin was open. Wil was hesitant.

"I was concerned about how many children, whether we would have enough support, what voice we would have in their medical care or if we would even know what to do for them," Wil said. "It was a huge life change for us."

His real concern, however, was humble and selfless. He knew what the children had been through in their short lives, and he didn't want to cause them any more trauma.

"Keeping two siblings together is a feat," said Trelle Warner, enCircle's Treatment Foster Care Program Manager. "Keeping three together is amazing."

So, they took it slowly. It was important that everyone, especially the children, felt comfortable.

"Whether by blood, adoption or taken in, once you're family, you're family," Justin said. "You want to make sure you’re going in with an open heart."

As you might guess, Wil quickly bonded.

"The first time eight-year-old Breona said she loved me is when I knew we were making a difference and we were meant to be a family," Wil said.

And a family they are. Breona is so proud of her family that she recently shared with her class what it meant to be chosen and given a home. In addition, the five of them are producing a podcast called "Becoming Us: 2 Dads, 3 Kids, 1 Love." Stay tuned!

Every week, this new family has what they call "Sunday Check-Ins" when they talk about what’s going on in their lives, what goals they are working toward, what disappointments may have occurred, sharing what's on their minds and hearts.

Wil and Justin often use this scheduled family time to reinforce their belief in education and their expectations in the home. "You do your part, and we will do ours," they tell the children. With the help of tutors, all three have raised their grades, especially Jayden, their oldest, who is at a pivotal school age. Support and trust are evident.

"Love is truly unconditional," Justin said.

For their youngest, Justin Jr., stability has been transformative. When they first met, he wouldn’t speak unless his older brother prompted him to do so. It was a bit of a concern, but now he is safe with Wil and Justin (now known as Dad and Pops) and they say, "he will talk your ear off."

But of all the young boy's many words, two speak the loudest to Wil, and he hears them every morning: "Hello, Pops!"

Ready to start your foster care journey? Learn More about becoming a foster parent through enCircle.