Andrew gets a new family
Andrew was so happy about his adoption hearing today – he knew it was the day he would get a new last name.
Andrew, 4, is now Andrew Duerr. He got all dressed up for court in a nice sweater and his “cow boots.”
His foster moms – Stephanie Smith-Duerr and Steffane Duerr – always knew they wanted to be parents. They talked about it before they married two years ago. They have been Andrew’s foster parents, through Pressley Ridge, for the past 13 months. He calls them Mommy and Mama.
Their adoption worker, David Steffen from Hamilton County Job and Family Services, said the women have been great to work with and that Andrew is very happy in his new home.
Magistrate Kendall Coes asked the women how they felt about becoming parents. They talked about having dinner together each night, helping Andrew with his school work and cuddling.
Stephanie started to cry and needed a minute to compose herself.
“I couldn’t imagine our life,” she said, “without him.”
They’re celebrating tonight with their extended family, at Red Robin. Andrew loves the hamburgers there.