The adoption hearing in Bernalillo, New Mexico, concluded with Jennifer Hubby officially becoming the legal mother of her 5-year-old stepson, Cameron. However, Cameron’s heartfelt remarks at the end of the proceedings genuinely highlighted the deep connection between mother and son.
During the hearing, Judge Cheryl H. Johnston asked if there were any final statements. Cameron surprised everyone with his response: “I wanted to say that I love my mom so much and that she’s the best mom I’ve ever had,” he told the judge, according to USA Today.
Jennifer was visibly moved by Cameron’s words, prompting him to offer her a comforting hug. This touching moment was captured in a video by Milly Davies, Jennifer’s best friend, whose emotional reaction can be heard as she filmed the scene.
Jennifer shared her experience with Good Morning America, reflecting on how the moment captured the essence of their bond. “The judge asked if there were any final comments for the record, and we decided to record it. I said something minor because I was nervous and eager to see the final decree. Cameron, noticing my nerves, whispered to me, ‘Can I say something?'”
It was courageous for Cameron to speak up in such a formal setting, which can be daunting for a child.
Jennifer recounted, “When he said, ‘I love my mom so much,' I started to cry. My head dipped as I began to weep, and he turned to comfort me. It was an incredibly emotional moment. You could hear others in the room tearing up, and the judge’s reaction was, ‘Oh, my gosh,' followed by her encouraging words for Cameron.”
Judge Johnston responded warmly, “It’s important to express love and show that you care. You’re fortunate to have that love, and it’s what we should all be doing.”
For Jennifer, this adoption represented a significant milestone. She had been a part of Cameron’s life as his stepmother since birth and wanted to ensure she had legal rights as his mother in case something happened to her wife, Kim Hubby, Cameron’s biological mother.
The adoption process was lengthy and costly. As noted by Child Welfare, domestic adoptions in the U.S. can range from $25,000 to $45,000, with approximately 117,470 children waiting for adoption as of 2020. The Hubby family faced a long wait, with their adoption process extending over six months.
Cameron’s brave words and Jennifer’s emotional response illustrate the profound impact of adoption in uniting families. There is hope that in the future, the adoption process will become more streamlined and affordable, allowing more families to experience this meaningful joy.