Tallahassee couple Chasity and Rhone Francis both love kids.
And after experiencing pregnancy losses, they started their foster parenting journey two years ago that led up to an early Christmas gift this holiday season.
With hugs, laughter and tears of joy all throughout the Leon County Courthouse Friday morning, Chasity and Rhone celebrated the adoption of two children —8-year-old Tae’von Francis and 2-year-old Kassidy Francis — during Northwest Florida Health Network’s annual Christmas Adoption Ceremony.
As Tae’von and Kassidy add on to the couple’s two previously adopted children — 12-year-old Isaiah Francis and 7-year-old Zoey Francis — Chasity says they now have a “dynamic family of six.”
“We’re so happy to be in this journey and to be able to provide a forever home for these kids,” Chasity said. “We both grew up in really loving homes, so we wanted to provide that for someone in our community.”
Other news: She was born 4 months early, weighing 1 pound. Now, she is home for her first Christmas
NWF Health Network is one of the only organizations in the nation to conduct a Christmas adoption ceremony, with this year’s celebration being its sixth.
The agency will have similar ceremonies across northwest Florida for the next three days, according to NWF Health Network Chief Operating Officer Courtney Stanford.
“Christmas time is so beautiful and magical,” Stanford said Friday following the ceremony, “and what better time of the year for families to commit and decide to be forever parents to our children?”
The family wore matching white T-shirts that read “Officially a Francis” along with the specific year that they each started carrying the last name.
Adoption stories: Love-Devine: An adoption journey and reunion as told by birth mother and daughter
More: ‘Your family forever’: Families celebrate National Adoption Day early with Florida first lady
Kassidy came into the Francis family’s care when she was just four days old.
“From that day forward, she became my little ride or die buddy,” said Rhone, who is the dean of students at Elizabeth Cobb Middle School. “It’s all about the bonding, like the times I get to spend with her to teach her the ABCs and to count.”
With milestones such as walking at as early as nine months, she has met and exceeded developmental milestones while the couple has been raising her, according to the NWF Health Network.
The agency also highlighted how Tae’von has excelled behaviorally, academically, emotionally and mentally while being under the couple’s care.
The couple says that Tae’von has a big personality, loves the outdoors and loves animals.
“He’s my little guy. I pick him up from school every day and he always has a list of things he did, like playing in the dirt and finding gems,” Chasity said. “He’s awesome. They both are awesome, and we’re just happy to have them in our home.”
“Knowing that these children officially have what we call, ‘forever homes’ is one of the greatest joys in our line of work,” NWF Health Network CEO Mike Watkins said in a prepared statement. “There is no better gift on Christmas than the gift of a family. We are so grateful for the families who stepped up when needed and are adopting these children.”
The Francis family plans on spending their Christmas Eve in Gainesville with relatives and will be attending Family Worship & Praise Center in Tallahassee on Sunday as the church puts on a Christmas Day production.
Christmas guides:Which Tallahassee restaurants are open on Christmas day or Christmas Eve? Here are a few.
More:Generate joy! Tour of Lights keeps it merry and bright around Tallahassee
Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_.
Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page.