Man Went through 24 Foster Homes & Was Adopted at 33, Years after His New Parents Heard His Life Story

• A man who went through 24 foster homes was finally adopted at 33, years after his adoptive parents learned about his life story.
• Michelle and Steve Kiefer had married young and worked full-time in a ministry when they met Dale and had a life-changing conversation.

Before a 33-year-old man found his forever home, he went through a series of foster home placements. When Dale was a young boy, he lived under the care of extended family members, enduring unfathomable abuse of every kind. Following this, he became a ward of the state and was placed in foster care, where he spent many years moving to different houses.

By the time he turned 16, exhausted from continuously moving, Dale had asked to move into a transitional housing program, enabling him to live alone. Dale's soon-to-be adoptive mother met him around this time. When she first encountered the well-mannered adolescent, Michelle Kiefer felt ill-prepared to hear of Dale's tumultuous backstory and the challenges he faced in his past.

How Michelle and Steve Kiefer Decided to Welcome Dale into Their Family

Michelle and her husband, Steve Kiefer, who married young, worked full-time in a ministry. The young couple also had to juggle raising their four adopted children, who were all under four. Upon meeting Dale and conversing with him for the first time, Michelle divulged:

"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."

Following Dale's narration of his story, Michelle couldn't fathom going home to a fully furnished house with extra beds and leaving the teenager to fend for himself. As she cried over the next two days, Michelle detailed how God moved through her to change her preconceived perceptions about how a family should look. She also expressed her fears about bringing a previously abused young man into her home dissolving.

Although Michelle knew that the idea would undoubtedly come with its risks and challenges, she felt that welcoming Dale would bless her and her family. Throughout the following weeks, Dale joined the Kiefer family for dinner, which, not long after, turned into weekend-long visits. According to the mom, Dale had no trouble fitting in with everyone, and Michelle and Steve felt he belonged:

"He was just one of us right from the start. I don't know any other way to say it."

The couple then decided to invite Dale to move into their household. With no apprehension expressed by the teen, Michelle and Steve wasted no time driving to Dale's apartment to gather some of his possessions. Though the transition came with its fair share of adjustments, it was a thrilling time for all.

During his initial phase of moving in, Michelle spoke about how, at first, all the responsible and kind adolescent wanted to do was take care of the couple's kids all day. It was not until she coerced him into allowing himself to have fun and enjoy his time as a youngster that Dale started growing comfortable enough to let himself do all the usual things typical of a teenager.

Though Dale's inclusion into the family was pleasant overall, he had to take some time to do some unlearning from past hurtful experiences. Michelle recalled how one time Dale had missed his curfew, which prompted her to lightly scold him, despite feeling happy that he was exhibiting typical teen behavior. Dale then packed his bags, thinking Michelle wanted him to leave, but Michelle sent him right back up the stairs to unpack.

After 17 years together, Dale became the adoptive son of Michelle and Steve on January 29, 2018, changing his name to Dale Kiefer-Perrault.

How Dale's Life Continued to Change after Being Welcomed by the Kiefer Family

Dale continued living with the Kiefer family for years after moving in. During the following years, Dale graduated from high school, attended college, eventually settled down with his high school sweetheart, and welcomed two children. Years later, he came out to reveal his true sexual identity and divorced his wife.

As more time passed, Michelle discovered that Dale was misdiagnosed and prescribed the wrong medication. However, after being diagnosed with the correct mental disorder: Complex PTSD, Dale started receiving in-patient care and attended therapy, which helped him make significant progress. It was on his healing journey that he met his partner Justin and they got married in 2015.

Although Michelle reported a period in which communication between Dale and the family had dwindled, moments of unity prevailed. After more years passed, Michelle's daughter decided to reach out to Dale—whom they had not seen for some time—via email, and soon after, a lengthy and much-needed phone conversation ensued between him and Michelle.

Following Michelle and Steve's reconnection with Dale, the parents sat him and his partner down to discuss adoption. Michelle said it was a conversation already brought up initially on the evening of Dale's high school graduation.

After expressing their desire to adopt him and explaining how he would remain their son regardless of a document, should Dale opt out of the process, the now grown man expressed his long-awaited desire to become their son officially.

After 17 years together, Dale became the adoptive son of Michelle and Steve on January 29, 2018, changing his name to Dale Kiefer-Perrault. His proud mama bear Michelle disclosed:

"At 33 years old 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."

Michelle's final words on the momentous journey that started all those years back when she met Dale as a teenager expressed immense gratitude and privilege for becoming Dale's mom. She further credited love as the key that unlocked their ability to accept and welcome Dale as their own.

Click here to read a similar story showing that one is never too old to adopt.