A second-grade teacher feels blessed to become a mother to students lacking a stable home.
Lexi McClelland first met 7-year-old Mary in 2020 when she joined her class at Elm Tree Elementary School in Bentonville, Arkansas. Recently, McClelland shared her story.
It didn’t take long for McClelland to recognize that Mary, who often sang to herself, was an incredibly bright and creative child. She had a love for reading, but her situation was tough—she had lived in various nursing homes in search of her forever family.
Mary entered the foster care system because of her parents’ struggles with drug abuse and neglect. McClelland felt a strong desire to do more for her. When another adoption plan for Mary fell apart, McClelland was in the process of applying for a foster care license. Thankfully, she discovered she could take Mary in under “kinship” rules, despite not being related by blood. The thought of losing Mary was difficult for her. McClelland mentioned, “I had this image in my head that I needed her in my life.”
Everything fell into place, and soon after, Mary moved in with McClelland’s family. She quickly adapted and felt at home. After a few months of living together, McClelland and her husband asked Mary if she wanted to be adopted, leading to a courthouse ceremony in the spring of 2022 that made them a permanent family.
Neighbors often draw comparisons between the mother-daughter duo and Roald Dahl’s Matilda Wormwood and her nurturing teacher, Miss Honey. In fact, they both enjoy the book Matilda.
Mr. McClelland expressed his gratitude, saying, “I felt very honored. The only thing I can do is thank God for everything, because God has always been with me.”
This past March, McClelland took to social media to share that their story had gained media attention. She emphasized her belief that it was divine intervention bringing them together.
“If our story inspires even one family to think about adopting an older child, that would mean everything,” she added.
Their experience illustrates the positive impact of adoption, reinforcing the belief that it can lead to transformative journeys.
Mary took on the role of big sister when McClelland welcomed a seven-month-old son last year.
