Connecting Over Connect Four - How Sam and Milton Met Their Son

Photo caption: Milton, Andres, and Sam

Sponsored Content | November 2, 2024

At the young age of four, Jeremiah was placed in the foster care system. He spent the next six years in foster care, dreaming of one day finding a loving family. At ten, Jeremiah joined Kidsave’s Weekend Miracles, a unique program that introduces older kids in foster care to caring families in their community for mentoring and adoption.

Meanwhile, Sam and Milton Gilstrap were searching for the right way to welcome a child into their lives as a gay couple. Two worlds collided at a Kidsave weekend advocacy event.

“Little did we know that we'd meet the most amazing little guy in the world at our very first Kidsave event,” recalls Sam.

At a bowling event in Los Angeles, kids and adults mingled and talked over board games. Sam and Milton stopped by a table and started up a game of Connect Four. Their opponent was none other than Jeremiah.

“It was like love at first sight,” said Sam. “We were ready right then and there to adopt him. We wanted him to become part of our family. Looking back, it seems that some things are meant to be, and when you are fortunate enough to make that kind of meaningful connection with another human being, you have to take advantage of it.”

Sam and Milton continued to get to know Jeremiah over the course of Kidsave events until just a few months later, in May of 2019, Jeremiah moved into their home full time.

“At that point, we became a family,” said Sam. “We spent every day together.” Sam and Milton enjoyed playing outdoors and hiking with Jeremiah, and coming up with new family traditions.

“Everything is as wonderful as we'd dreamed it would be,” said Sam. “He's an amazing kid and fits in so nicely with our family.” Sam and Milton were surprised by their parenting techniques and how well they work together. Sam considers himself to be more of a “taskmaster,” while Milton is more of a “warm and fuzzy” type.

A year and a half after Jeremiah met Sam and Milton, the three decided to move toward adoption. “The stars aligned for our family, and Kidsave has become kind of a second family,” said Sam. “Kidsave will be there for you throughout the process and will celebrate with you when your adoption is finalized.”

In the spirit of new beginnings, Jeremiah legally changed his name to Andres, leaving his former name and foster care in the past.

“There will be no more social workers, no more courts, no more therapists, and no more bouncing from home to home,” Sam and Milton explained to Andres. “From now on, it's all about all of us spending time together—you, your friends, and school. We're a regular family.”

For Sam and Milton, family means people who are always there. “Family comes together in times of sadness and grief, bringing comfort to one another, just as a family comes together in times of happiness when there are things to celebrate,” said Sam. “Family is also something that can take many different and unexpected forms and can come from places you never expected.”

Kidsave embraces families of all kinds, and Sam and Milton encourage other adults to get involved. “Take a chance. Dive in and see what happens,” Sam said. There are many ways to make a huge difference in a child's life, with varying levels of commitment. “Even if adoption is not for you, there are still other ways to volunteer and help,” said Sam. “Show up to an event. You may be surprised at what you discover.”

Sam and Milton are devoted parents to Andres and advocates for Kidsave and will continue to volunteer in the future and share their success story.

“Now we are Papas to an amazing kid, and our lives have changed,” said Sam. “Maybe it never existed before we met Andres, or maybe just tucked away, but he's an amazing and rewarding addition to our lives, and we wouldn't trade it for the world. Meeting a child helps you observe and experience the world through a different lens. Above all else, we want Andres to know that his daddies are always there for him.”

For more information on Kidsave visit, www.kidsave.org.

Photo courtesy of Kidsave