While many don’t have the privilege of growing up with their biological fathers, some heaven-sent men take the space and opportunity to play the father role. Even without blood ties, some men have a lot of responsibility, care, and a drive to raise a child like them.
This tale is all too familiar to Lauren Hernandez, who found the father figure in her mother’s longtime boyfriend, Joe Yusco. The little girl, then a teenager in 2016, approaches Joe and asks him to officially become her father by adopting her. Jose and Lauren’s mother found love in each other and began dating after Lauren’s biological father passed away.
Joe came into Lauren’s life and appeared there every day after her biological father left. Lauren told ABC News that she only sees her birth father a few days a month and feels a bit estranged from the man who gave birth to her.
On the other hand, Jo was by his side at every stage of his life. Joe carried the father nickname perfectly and slipped into the shoe so noticeably that Lauren continued to admire him.
Lauren, 18, felt the need to thank Joe after graduating from high school. She presented her gifts in an elegant white gift box containing a framed poem. The poem is addressed to Joe asking him to formally adopt Lauren.
Reading the adoption papers hit Joe in all the right places, he couldn’t help but crumble. Lauren’s encouraging actions can be seen in the video below.
