Tarrant County judges finalized the adoptions of 88 children on Saturday, which is National Adoption Day.
Twelve-year-old Ryan is one of the children who found new families.
He spent the first half of his life on the streets and the second half in foster care. But now he starts a new life with Debra Beaulieu -- who herself was adopted -- and Tina Harvey.
The lesbian couple and their new son may not be the picture of what some would consider a traditional family, but they're giving Ryan a home he's never had. His smile is as big as the love they share.
"He's a great kid," Beaulieu said. "He loves to build things, and he likes to be creative."
More children in Fort Worth were adopted on this year's National Adoption Day than in any previous year since the program started in 2000.
"I told him last night I've been dreaming for a son all my life and finally got one," Harvey said. "Today we become a family. We have a son. We're like part of the real world."
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Harvey and Beaulieu are considering adopting another child but if Ryan agrees to have a sibling. For now, he's enjoying being an only child.
"It's like going to heaven," he said. "I love her so much. She's like diamonds, but only prettier. I never really had anything, and now I do."
Close to 1,000 North Texas children are still waiting to be adopted into permanent homes.
