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SALT LAKE CITY — It's often said the world is a playground — full of obstacles that are fun.
Other obstacles are not so fun.
No one knows that better than 18-year-old Natalie, who spent most of her life in and out of foster care. She thought she would never meet her forever family.
“I was old enough and nobody's ever expressed wanting me,” Natalie said. “I would say no big deal.”
“I knew I would be out eventually. I just thought I would age out — go into transitional living.”
But she didn't age out of the system. She found love and safety with a new family. Rebecca and Scott found her.
“Natalie's personality just fit with ours really well,” Rebecca said.
It's a mother's love that saw the potential in Natalie.
“They've got scared kids,” Rebecca said. “A good analogy is like puffer fish. When she's scared, she kind of pushes herself out wants to be spikey and prickly. She doesn't want to let anyone in because people have hurt her over and over again.
“When she first moved in, she would not participate in a conversation she'd let it go around her. She would say, ‘What? I wasn't listening’ because so many times she hasn't been allowed to participate. She hasn't been welcome.”
Rebecca decided though that her new daughter would be welcome.
“I've never had an 18-year-old before, that was new and she's never been given freedom,” Rebecca said. “It's definitely been some transitional things that have been hard for both of us - but she's our daughter, it's always worth it.”
It's been worth it for Rebecca and her family. For Rebecca, she knows the loss of family all too well.
“A huge reason that this happened is (because) my father died when I was 18 and my mother has lived in the State Mental Hospital on and off for most of my life,” Rebecca said. “I remember the first time I flew across the country I was devastated because there was no one to call to say I was safe. That need doesn't stop just because they're 15, 16 years old and they're a little too old. They just want a home.”
And that need didn't stop for Natalie.
“It's just nice to have somebody there that will help you if you need it,” said Natalie. “It's just a great feeling.”
