Adoptions
Overwhelmed 6th-grader has most adorable reaction to being surprised on 1st birthday since being adopted
He had never celebrated a birthday before.
Marilyn Caylor
07.04.22

Parents often look forward to celebrating many “firsts” with their children – like their first birthday, their first day of school, their first job, and the first time they ask ‘Can I borrow some money?”

But Abraham Walker, who was adopted with his brother from Sierra Leone, had never celebrated his own birthday before.

So his adopted family pulled out a fully-loaded birthday cake and made him feel right at home.

YouTube - TODAY
Source:
YouTube - TODAY

Just because Abraham isn’t a one-year-old baby doesn’t mean he can’t have his very first birthday party.

In fact, the Walker family made sure that this was a “first” that none of them would ever forget.

YouTube - TODAY
Source:
YouTube - TODAY

Joe first met Abraham’s brother, James, at an orphanage run by a friend of his. The father started reading books to the local kids and playing soccer with them.

That’s when he began to form a very strong bond with James. When Joe left the country, he got James a phone so the two could keep in touch via Skype and Facetime. Unfortunately, 6 months later James was forced out of the orphanage.

When James returned back to his village, Joe hopped on a plane and that’s when he met his little brother, Abraham. By that time, it was already too late – the two boys had already stolen the best parts of his heart.

“And by then we had formed this really special connected bond. And I came home from that trip and said to my wife, ‘I just feel like there’s more being asked of us.'”

As parents to four other children, Joe and Jamie knew they didn’t get to the boys in time, they’d be on the streets for good.

So they sat down with their kids and talked about the possibility of adopting the two brothers. It was a resounding “yes” from all of them!

Adjusting to life in America was a real learning curve for the two brothers. They celebrated many new firsts together, including their first real haircuts and their first ride through an automatic car wash.

But one thing that Abraham had never experienced before in his whole life was a real birthday celebration.

In fact, Abraham didn’t even know how old he really was. Mom could only guess at how many candles to put on the cake.

In an emotional video recorded by his sisters, Abraham can be seen looking shocked and confused as his family gathers around him in the kitchen.

As soon as he sees his mom carrying a fully-loaded birthday cake, he completely loses it! He covers his mouth with his hands and starts to sob.

YouTube - TODAY
Source:
YouTube - TODAY

He had no idea what to do or even how to blow out the candles. So his next reaction was to find safety and comfort in the best place possible.

Abraham immediately ran around the table and buried his tear-stained face in his dad’s chest.

The real and honest reaction came from a place of awe and wonder – Abraham had finally felt the joy of being loved. Of course, he absolutely adored his new mom just as much, and she was the next one to be on the receiving end of the biggest bear hug ever!

YouTube - TODAY
Source:
YouTube - TODAY

In an interview with TODAY Abraham said that all he wanted in life was a family to love him, but he got so much more.

“All I used to prefer is to me to have a family that can love me and care about me. Then God just said, ‘Wait I have the perfect and beautiful family for you.'”

Watch the video below to see Abraham’s joyful reaction to his very first birthday party.

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