Forever family: the family he waited a lifetime for

John and Kathy Wilkins considered themselves an average family of four, working hard and raising their two children: John, an eighth grader at Sparta Middle school, and Alex, a fifth grader at the Mohawk Ave school, in their modest lake home. The couple works together in their Sparta-based business, Health and Body fitness Center, and spend their spare time steeped in the sports and activities of their children. They coach football teams and cheerleading squads and chauffeur their children to and from countless other activities throughout the week. Kathy would describe herself and her husband as rational thinkers, making decisions that made the most sense, while directly benefiting their family. Like many parents, the Wilkins had a vision of their family’s future and worked toward fulfilling their goals. Like so many families they were in the family fast track, believing their lives thus far were full and complete … until a young man named Kevin Thomas entered their lives. “I was asked to be an unofficial big brother to Kevin by the supervisor of the group home he had been living at,” said John Wilkins. “Kevin had been speed training at the gym, and I remember seeing different people driving him to the gym each week, and I wondered what his situation was.” John, being busy with his business and his family, did not consider the request until he was asked again. In May 2005 after discussing the idea with Kathy, and his children, he agreed to be Kevin’s big brother. “I assumed I’d take him for an ice cream, do a little fishing, maybe some football games. I had no idea where this would go,” admitted John. Soon Kevin spent more and more time with the Wilkins family, earning their respect, and trust, while allowing his own defenses to soften with time. “We wanted Kevin to feel comfortable and welcomed in our family. He is such a good kid. He has so much love and can see greatness in people. We have taught him things and in return he too has taught us some valuable life lessons,” said Kathy. Both John and Kathy have a strong Christian faith, believing that their relationship with Kevin grew through divine intervention. “Being rational would never have allowed us to come to make the life-changing decision we eventually made,” said Kathy. “It was a true leap of faith.” In October the Wilkins learned that Kevin’s group home in Sparta would be closing, forcing Kevin to be moved to a different facility. Suddenly, the Wilkins family was faced with the heart wrenching idea of losing the young man they had bonded with. Their minds raced with questions concerning his future. Kevin’s concerns were focused on leaving a town, a school, and especially a family he had grown to love. He would yet again be moved to a different group home with an uncertain future. They discussed the idea of being foster parents to Kevin and soon considered adoption, a decision that the family made together, knowing it was a life altering choice that would affect them all. “Although we discussed it all at great length, there was actually no thinking about it. We just had to leap in with two feet … we just followed our hearts and our faith,” said Kathy. In the midst of the palpable emotions of the group home, the Wilkins asked Kevin if he would like to become their son. Kevin immediately said yes, and the Wilkins began to make room in their 989 square foot home for their new son. They were required by law to take weekly classes, agree to home inspections, and were assigned a caseworker. In September 2006, the Wilkins and Kevin Thomas stood before a judge. Kevin Thomas became Kevin Thomas Wilkins, and the family of four became a family of five. “I love my family. I feel so lucky to have them,” said Kevin. They make me feel like a real son to them.”