BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — There’s nothing like a hug from mom.

For 11-year-old Gianna, Saturday’s embrace was extra special — it was the moment Sandra Wilson officially adopted her.

“We had bonded right from the very start and we just had a lot of things in common and it’s always been a love relationship with us, almost like a sisterhood,” Sandra Wilson said.

“I’m really excited and happy,” Gianna added.

They were one of 16 Broward County families who shared moments like this during a “National Adoption Day” ceremony at the Broward County Courthouse. The event was hosted by ChildNet, the nonprofit responsible for managing child welfare services in the region.

“It’s the day we really honor and recognize the amazing people that adopt children out of foster care,” said ChildNet CEO Larry Rein.

Over the last decade in Broward County, ChildNet says it has helped bring the number of children in foster care from 3,900 to just over 1,300. Rein said that while the progress is significant, there’s still more to do.

“It’s a day of joy in a business that is sometimes not so joyous. This, for these children and these families it’s all about hope and celebration and giving these kids a future that is going to be different and better than they might have had otherwise,” Rein said.

For many families in the courtroom, the journey to this day has been long and challenging.

“We’ve gone through a lot and I’m just so happy,” said Sasha Chirino.

“The words are hard to describe this feeling. We’re so lucky, blessed and I get to be a dad which is amazing,” added Rolando Chirino.

Still, families said the love they share — and the future they can now build together — is what matters most.

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