Meet the Marini Family!
“Adopted kids are like every other kid, our families just get together a different way.”
Joseph and Katie Marini struggled with fertility but they always knew they wanted to adopt. “I was never one of those women that dreamed of carrying a child, I just wanted to be a mother and my husband wanted to be a father.” You can say they met their match when Kaitlyn came to live with them in 2009, after being in foster care for two and a half years. According to her parents, “She was ready for a family of her own.” Kaitlyn is an avid cheerleader who is kind and sweet, but struggles with school. Thankfully, her parents say the school system is AMAZING to work with the family to ensure that Kaitlyn is as successful as possible.
It didn't take much convincing or persuading for Joseph and Katie to make the final decision to adopt from foster care. They attended a few adoption parties and information sessions for people considering adoption, but in the end, they were matched by their local Adoption Licensing Unit. While the stigma of adopting from foster care can be a challenge and even a deterrent for some families, for the Marini’s all the fears they had going in were eased once they started building a relationship with their daughter. “People assume that these children are damaged to the point where they cannot function in a family but they are often surprised to see that Kaitlyn is doing so well and is so secure in herself.”
Joseph and Katie want members of Congress to understand the financial obligation that comes with adopting an older child. Since Kaitlyn’s adoption was just finalized this summer, they haven’t been able to utilize the Adoption Tax Credit, which would help offset some of those costs, but they plan on doing so this upcoming year. The Marinis have been fortunate throughout the process to have supportive social workers who they describe as amazing people who have already matched them with another child. “We are so excited!”
For Kaitlyn, being adopted means finally having a family to help her with school. “It’s nice getting a kiss every night before I go to bed, and having my parents there to help me get ready for school in the morning.” She vividly remembers the day she was adopted. “We had lots of families there and at that moment, our forever family became permanent. I was so happy, mom was crying, and dad just smiled a lot. I also got to wear a gorgeous dress with small heels.”
The Marini family has gone through many changes since they shared our adoption journey with us in 2011.
“We were thrilled to add Makayla to our home in August of 2011. Kaitlyn and Makayla bonded pretty early on, with only a mild transition for both of them. The Department of Children and Families was so wonderful in supporting us through that time, and we couldn't have done it without them.
Joseph and I separated in late 2012, and despite the end of our marriage, it was just the beginning of our roles in the children’s lives. The kids see their dad very often, enjoying the outdoors with him on many adventures. Both Joe and I have remarried, and my husband Michael, has taken an active role in the children’s lives, and we have added two more children to the family. Kaitlyn and Makayla love being big sisters, and they are adored by Sawyer and Griffin. Joe and his wife, Chelsea are expecting a child this year, and the girls are looking forward to another sibling.
Kaitlyn is currently taking a year off from college to adjust to Covid-19 protocols at her college, and when she returns in the fall of 2021, she hopes to continue her education with a focus on becoming an Art Therapist.”
