In a remarkable display of sibling love and determination, a Canadian woman’s five-year journey to adopt her baby brother from foster care culminated in a heartwarming success story that has touched hearts across North America. Hannah’s unwavering pursuit to provide a stable home for her brother TJ showcases the extraordinary lengths some will go to preserve family bonds.
A challenging beginning
TJ’s life began under difficult circumstances in British Columbia in 2017. Born prematurely at 32 weeks to parents struggling with addiction and domestic violence, he was immediately placed in foster care. His half-sister Hannah, recognizing the urgent need for family stability, made the extraordinary decision to pursue adoption while still a college student.
The decision came with immediate challenges. Hannah approached her boyfriend Drew Munn with a decisive question: “I need you to decide right now, are you on board or not?” Despite initial hesitation about becoming parents during college, Drew, now an engineer officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, understood the importance of their decision. “We were still in college, still gaining adult experience,” Drew recalled, “But TJ needed us. Hannah’s conviction convinced me.”
Years of persistence
The path to adoption proved far from smooth. For five years, Hannah faced repeated setbacks as social workers failed to respond to her communications while TJ moved between different foster homes. “I begged for years for someone to listen but I was never taken seriously,” Hannah revealed.
The breakthrough finally came through a chance encounter when a new social worker witnessed TJ and Hannah’s interaction in a park. Upon seeing his sister, TJ ran to embrace her, declaring, “I missed you so much.” Moved by their evident connection, the social worker acknowledged, “You are TJ’s safe place. He doesn’t belong anywhere else other than with you.”
A family united
October 2022 marked the official beginning of their life together when TJ finally came home to Hannah and Drew. The family’s bond was further cemented during Hannah and Drew’s wedding in October 2023, where TJ participated wearing a matching tux and his own wedding ring, understanding that “our whole family is getting married.”
Now seven years old, TJ takes pride in explaining his unique family dynamic, happily sharing that “She’s my mom and she’s my sister.” The family has since expanded with the addition of baby Hazen, fulfilling TJ’s wish for a younger sibling.
Their story gained widespread attention when Hannah shared a video of TJ’s joyful reaction to learning about their upcoming Disney World trip, capturing the hearts of millions on TikTok and demonstrating the profound impact of their special bond.
