8-year-old Nike Schwartz was adopted by his forever finally on February 17 after spending 1,553 days in foster care. He has spent half of his life in foster care. There were 300 people gathered at the Texas courtroom to witness Nike’s adoption. It was truly a joyous and memorable day for everyone. The crowd included a batman, Nike’s second-grade classmates, teachers, Schwartz family, church members, neighbors, school athletic team and drill team.

These were not the only ones who came to celebrate. The Dallas Cowboys sent a gift basket for Nike which has Cowboys gear in it and even a signed football. They sent the gifts to celebrate a new beginning of Nike’s life. Buckner International a non-profit private adoption agency worked the Schwartz family for four years to provide Nike his family. The agency captured everything and shared the video of the same online.

The Schwartz family of four is now a family of five people and feels that their family is complete. The Schwartz family includes Allen, Texas had two girls, a 17-year-old biological daughter, and a 10-year-old adopted daughter. The family had decided not to foster any more kids until they were contacted for Nike.

Kristi Schwartz with her husband David shared that “We got a call asking to take him in and we said yes and he showed up at our door at midnight on May 4, 2016. You see these kids in their rawest form and you just feel this maternal instinct to want to provide that stability for them. For me and Nike, it was pretty quick that I knew that.”

Nike Garza has been in #fostercare for 1,553 days (half of his life), and today he was #adopted by his forever family. Thank you to the @dallascowboys for making Nike's #adoption day even more special! #HopeShinesHere pic.twitter.com/ktpjrNrnlY

— Buckner International (@buckner_intl) February 17, 2020

Child Protective Services had taken Nike out of her biological family because of neglectful behavior and drug use by his parents. The child services were expecting that Nike will be placed in his forever family within 6 months but that did not happen. CPS caseworker Elizabeth then asked the Schwartz family to foster Nike but their intention was of adoption only.

The worker shared that “Every time I’ve seen him the last two and a half years, I always say, ‘Do you have any more questions for me? And he always says, ‘When am I going to be adopted?’” The Schwartz family had their surprise planned for Nike which included a t-shirt with the adoption date printed on it and saying “May the Schwartz be with you.” Nike was very happy with Kristi and David as his parents.

He shared “I just believe in them. I believe them.” Andi Harrison, Buckner International’s Foster Care and Adoption program director for North Texas shared “Everyone at Buckner International is overjoyed that Nike’s adoption journey is complete after four years, and he is now permanently with his forever family. We were blessed to walk hand in hand with the Schwartz family during the process of adoption.” True family is not made by blood but by love, kindness, and understanding.

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