A record 58 Lancaster County children went home with their new families Saturday morning. The adoption celebration took place at the Lancaster County courthouse as part of National Adoption Day.
For the children and their new adoptive families it was a momentous day.
Leigh and Patrick Esau live to share their love. The couple, who has two biological children, two foster children and a 3-year-old adopted son, expanded their family yet again with the adoption of their first daughter named Rhianna Rose.
"It's just such an honor and a privilege to be able to take a life and shape it and mold it and have it. I can't, I can't put it into words," said Leigh Esau, one of the adoptive parents.
What Leigh can't put into words she puts in the form of prayer. She says her family doesn't choose the child. Instead, she says she puts that control in God's hands.
"He just brings to our door who he wants us to have for whatever time and season that is. We've fostered many, many kids without adopting. These are the ones who have been in the situation we've been privilege to adopt," said Esau.
Rhianna Rose had been living as a foster child with the Esau's since her birth.
"we weren't about to let her go someplace else," she said.
And Saturday she was among nearly 60 children celebrating their departure from foster care to permanent families.
"It's the same as when you come home with your baby. You talk about that baby before it's born, but until that baby is laid in your arms and you bring it home and everybody gets to rejoice in that there's just another level that you get to go to and experience," said Esau.
An experience Leigh, who was adopted as a child, says goes beyond herself.
"Sometimes we think we're the ones doing the blessing but the reality is that our lives are made fuller and blessed more by taking in kids and just loving them," said Esau.
National adoption day was started in 2000 by The Alliance for Children's Rights to raise awareness and finalize thousands of adoptions across the country.