WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – November is National Adoption Month. In Kansas, 500 kids are looking for a forever home. Stacie Tush has always wanted to be a mom. "I've been a social worker for about 20 years," Tush said. "Most of that in child welfare. I decided that I needed to stop saying what other people should be doing and start doing it myself. And so I became a foster parent in March of 2020, and then, it just kind of all went off from there." Although motherhood didn't come traditionally, Tush says she and her daughter Emery were meant to be together. "God brought her to me," Tush said. "She's my baby. Then, everything went well, and now, we say that we went to the judge so he can tell us we can stay together forever. So that's how she understands it." Emery came to Stacie at 4 months old, and she became a foster mom in 2020. Their adoption was finalized in April 2024. 82-year-old woman sews Barbie clothes for Operation Christmas Child "We worked through integration with her parents," Tush said. "It was not successful. To be a foster parent, you have to go in with your full heart because the kids deserve that. And so she was my baby. Then, it was just natural, like as soon as they knew they needed an adoptive resource, I was like, it's yes, it is me." Tush says experiencing their deep connection has been beautiful. "It's just interesting to see, to just feel that and realize that such a thing can happen," Tush said. "And you can have a connection with someone that I don't feel is any different than anyone else's connection."  Tush says she wouldn't have been able to do this without her loved ones supporting her. "I firmly believe it takes a village," Tush said. "And I have an amazing village. We have an amazing village. I think we had probably over 30 people at our adoption hearing because they had been with us through the entire process, from workers to family to our church family. And so it was absolutely beautiful. It was a true representation of our journey. It really takes a village. I think that also. I had to have a good therapist because it is a challenging journey." Crown Uptown to be torn down if capacity expansion not approved Although there are many ups and downs, Tush says it's all worth it because every child deserves a stable and loving home. "It takes a lot to step outside your comfort zone and do those things cause it’s not easy," Tush said. "But it is so rewarding. She just, she brings so much joy to our home and to me. When I look at her face, it just brings me joy. And just seeing everyone rally around us in the good times and bad and being there for her and loving her like there’s nothing different. I mean, she's mine, and so she's a part of our family. It's just been the most beautiful thing. I can't imagine anything surpassing it."  Tush didn't imagine this to be her journey, but now, she can't imagine it looking any different. "Be open to other options, and also, it just may not look the way you expected it, but doesn't mean it's not perfect," Tush said. "And so I think that's the thing is like, this isn’t what I thought I was going to be, but it's absolutely perfect. I think just being open to something different than what you expected and also just keeping hope and looking for options." Find more information and support at The Family Initiative.