One of the most selfless things a person can do is adopt a child in need. Taking in a kid and raising them as your own is no easy task, one that's filled with all sorts of unique challenges.
A single Florida mom and former teacher who's already fostered over 50 kids has made headlines for taking in four more in their time of need.
That's because Melissa, who's a single mom, has fostered close to 60 kids over the years. The former elementary school teacher from Bradenton, Florida, took the kids in over a six-year period. That means she fostered a new kid nearly every single month.
"I would do this all over again if I could because the rewards and the benefits definitely outweigh anything," Servetz told Good Morning America of her role as a foster mom. She credits part of her drive to her teaching career, saying she's a born teacher.
"I was teaching in the Tampa Bay area and one of my former parents of my students came up to me and said, ‘Hey, Melissa, I know this woman and she has some children that are living with a non-relative and they need a place to go because they're being evicted,’" said Servetz. "There was a process when you take in children, so I called my agency and I said, ‘Hey, can you tell me if these two children are on the list?’"
Two-year-old Jade and 16-month-old Destiny found structure in Servetz's house. Then, a couple of years later, Destiny and Jade's biological mom gave birth to a boy, Matthew, who Servetz soon adopted. Finally, in March 2020, the final sibling — Emerson — was adopted by Servetz.
"You don't realize how much you can love another human, times four — it's unconditional, really," she said. "No matter how rough of a day…I'm going to love them no matter what. I'm going to be there to support them."
Servetz says that she was once married and even got pregnant, but then suffered a miscarriage. After her marriage ended and she'd been single for awhile, she decided to transfer her teaching skills over to parenting. She first became a foster mom in 2015.
"They're learning how to be good human beings. I'm really proud of them," she said. Servetz also said that if the siblings' biological mom gets pregnant and has another kid, there's a spot in her home for them.
"There are so many children out there who want to be part of a family, especially teenagers, and they come with heavy shoulders. But, in the end, the difference and impact a loving person can make to these children are incredible. My hope is that every child who needs one is able to find that loving, caring forever home for them," she told People.
No two families are alike, and Melissa Servetz and her brood are proof of that. Let us know what you think of this story — and whether you think you could foster 50-60 kids — in the comments section.
h/t: Good Morning America, People
