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OGDEN — When you live in Utah, surfing is more of an "indoors" thing. That's why 13-year-old Josh and 11-year-old Tyler headed to a place called "Flowrider" to catch some waves on an indoor surf machine.
"I've been to a lake, but I haven't been to the ocean," Tyler said.
Josh and Tyler are brothers, which means they care for and protect one another. Getting the two of them around a fun activity also means there are more than a few punches in the arm or flicks of the ear tossed about.
They tease one another constantly and only stop when Tyler leans over and whispers, "I'm trying to get us adopted."
These two have been through a lot together — certainly far more than most kids their age.
"We were on our way home with them and the cops just pulled us over," Tyler said.
That's the day Tyler says they were taken away from their biological parents.
"They went to jail," he said.
For most kids, that would be a traumatic memory.
"No, it was the happiest day of my life," Tyler said.
The brothers believed brighter days were coming when they entered foster care.
"Can you please adopt me?" Josh pleaded. "Please?"
"To have a second chance, and start a new family," Tyler said. "We've been in foster care for a long time, and we really want to get adopted."
So far, they haven't had any luck.
"It's really sad," Tyler said. "It makes you feel like nobody cares about you."
They continue to believe the right family is out there, somewhere.
"Somebody that's loving, caring — really nice," Tyler said.
And maybe if that dream comes true, one of their other dreams will too.
"Let's just hope that sometime I'll be able to go out to the ocean and actually really surf," Tyler said.
