Chris first came to the home of Marcie and Terry B. for an emergency stay because he had no other place to go. Marcie, a social worker, and Terry, a fisherman, had decided to provide respite care by taking in foster children for the weekend when their foster parents needed a break.

When Chris came to their home, he was only seven years old and had already lived in seven foster homes. After his stay with the Marcie and Terry, Chris was returned to his biological mother. The reunification, unfortunately, failed and Chris was back in the foster care system.

Terry and Marcie became his long-term foster parents, while hoping that Chris might be eligible for adoption. Over the next year, he became an important part of their family. When he became eligible for adoption in March 2000, Terry and Marcie made him, legally, their son. "I never thought I would have a forever family," says Chris with a smile.