02/01/2026
Are my mom and dad coming back for me? I remember only asking and asking that to Officer Lewis. I was 5, scared, and didn’t understand where my parents went. I just kept holding onto his sleeve like it was the only thing I trusted. No relatives came for me. I sat in a quiet room with a blanket, and Lewis kept showing up every single day. He brought snacks, crayons, and a steady voice that made me feel safe. He filed to take me in a few months later. I called him “Dad” by myself before anyone asked me to. He learned how to braid my hair, pack my lunches, and show up for every school event. At my graduation today, I looked for him the same way I did back then. I saw his smile, and everything felt right again. He didn’t just take me in. He raised me.