Dale Kiefer-Perrault of West Palm Beach, Florida did not have a childhood that anyone would envy.
When Dale’s biological parents couldn’t care for him, he was shuffled off to the homes of family members, where he suffered unspeakable physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. He later became a ward of the state of Florida and was bounced around to 24 different foster homes before he’d even reached the age of eighteen!
He had started to feel as if he would never be a part of a family.
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By the time Dale was placed in the home of Michelle and Steve Kiefer of Fairfield, California, his past had caught up to him. At sixteen, he struggled with mental health issues resulting from his past traumas, but the Keifers were determined to make Dale feel like he was part of their family.
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“My husband, Steve, and I were a young married couple, busy serving in full-time ministry and raising four little ones, all under the age of four, that we had adopted,” Michelle explained. “I was not prepared for a casual conversation that started with me saying to Dale, ‘So tell me about yourself,’ to completely wreck me (in the best way) and to literally change the entire course of my life. But, I knew as I was sitting there listening to him that I would never be the same.”
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Michelle and Steve struggled with the idea of bringing an unruly teenager with a history of past abuse into their home, but Michelle felt called to be Dale’s mother. The family started inviting Dale to their home more frequently, and he fit right in with their family.
“He was just one of us right from the start. I don’t know any other way to say it,” Michelle said. “We just knew he belonged with us. We invited him to move in. There was no hesitation on his part and we rushed to his tiny apartment to pack up his few belongings. What an exciting time that was, also paired with a lot of adjustments and changes!”
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In July 2017, Steve and Michelle decided it was past time to make their relationship official. They sat down with Dale and asked if he wanted them to adopt him. He told them he had been waiting for this moment since he met them.
As soon as the ink was officially dry, Michelle stated:
“I am blessed beyond measure and extremely proud to announce that FINALLY, on January 29, 2018, we adopted our son, Dale Kiefer-Perrault. At 33 years old and after a lifetime of waiting, Dale was able to take our name, and also able to replace his birth certificate. No longer will his parents be listed as ‘The State of Florida,’ but our names will be added instead.”
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Dale expressed in a Facebook post that he had been waiting his entire life to have a family, so this was a dream come true… no matter what his age. Dale now has two children of his own, his life is on track, and he can hopefully put the abuse of his past behind him.
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“The greatest lesson I’ve learned is to be authentic and live the best version of myself I possibly can. I feel comfortable in my own skin and am confident with who I am. It took me 30 years to discover something that seems so easily obtainable. I love myself and am therefore able to love others. I say all of this because today wouldn’t have been possible if I wasn’t willing to do the work.
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After 6,570 days as a ward of the state and 24 different homes before the age of 18, I was FINALLY adopted! Adoption is something I’ve desired as long as I can remember. Although my family has been in my life for almost 18 years, there was much work that needed to be done before today could happen. I see that now and feel such a peace with how far we have all come. I am super grateful and humbled by my life and this opportunity to close the last chapter of my foster care story. It feels amazing to be a Kiefer.”
What an incredible story of acceptance, patience, and enduring love! Congratulations to the Keifer family. Please share this story to spread the love!
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