Hello,

My name is Ray, and I am asking for help with something that means everything to me.

The little boy you see in these photos is my son. He may not share my DNA, but he shares my life, my love, and my heart. I have been present for nearly every moment of his life. I am the only person he has ever known as Dada. From his earliest memories to the person he runs to for comfort, guidance, and safety, I have always been there.

I am there for the doctor appointments. I am there for school meetings, homework, and bedtime routines. I am there for scraped knees, big feelings, laughter, and tears. I show up physically, emotionally, and mentally every single day. Being his father is not a role I stepped into lightly. It is who I am.

I will not speak on the details of his biological father. That is not what this is about. What matters is that I am his father in every way that truly counts.

Now I am trying to make that official.

Where we live, my wife and I have already experienced moments where our family is questioned. Because of the difference in our skin color. Because of our last names. Because of assumptions made by strangers. Those moments are uncomfortable now, but they become terrifying when I think about the future. If something were to ever happen to my wife, I could be forced to fight just to have a voice in my own child’s life. I could be forced to prove a bond that already exists. We cannot allow our son to ever face that uncertainty.

Adoption would give him security. It would give him protection. It would ensure that no one could ever question who his father is.

The initial goal of five thousand dollars covers the retainer for an adoption attorney who specializes in cases like ours and has a strong history of helping families like mine. The total cost may be higher, but this first step is the one we must take to begin. We chose this attorney carefully because this is not something we can risk doing wrong.

Asking for help is not easy for me. It takes everything in me to put my pride aside. But when I look at my son, I know there is nothing I would not do for him. If that means asking for support, then I will do it without hesitation.

Every single contribution helps. Every share helps. Every act of kindness brings us closer to giving our son the certainty and safety he deserves.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Thank you for helping me become, legally and officially, what I already am in my heart.

His dad.