Acts of Kindness
Marine walks into classroom to tell brothers they're leaving foster care and she's adopting them
The 21-year-old Marine tried for years to get her brothers out of the foster care system. And today? She has a huge surprise – and the surprises don't stop there!
Luis Gaskell
09.25.20

Serving your country is one heck of a sacrifice to make, especially at a young age. Not only are you giving up home-sweet-home for a few years, but you’re also going to be away from friends and family for that time.

I’m not even mentioning the tough, grueling, unforgiving work that’s expected of you at the army. Pushups, obstacle courses, bed times, rifle training and so much more.

It bears reminding not to dismiss the things young people have to go through to make it through school and put food on the table.

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

It’s not for everyone, and those who finish service come out as different people. That’s mainly why Mediocrefilms’ Greg Benson wanted to deliver some help to 21-year-old Melissa, another one of these military youth.

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

Melissa is one of countless young people signing up for military service. Her childhood was not smooth or easy, and joining the military is her way of making up for that.

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

She says that it’s a way for her to learn the discipline and structure that she didn’t get to learn when she was a young girl.

That’s some superb self-reflection right there!

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

Melissa did not have a normal childhood. While constantly moving to different schools often might be annoying enough for some kids, Melissa had to move to different foster homes. She has two brothers, JJ and Christian, who she loves a lot but never lived with.

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

Her mother is not exactly keen on the idea of her adopting her brothers. Said mother also tested positive for methamphetamine in her system, which is probably part of the reason Melissa wants to earn custody of her brothers.

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

To add even more unfortunate news, JJ and Christian were stuck in a foster home. They’re content there, Melissa says, but would rather live with her.

Still, this young marine is steadfast and headstrong. If she can serve in the military and teach herself structure and discipline, then I totally believe in her.

Although the odds aren’t exactly in her favor here. At 21, the judge may deem her too young to have custody over her brothers. Furthermore, she’s not exactly the most financially stable. She struggles to pay rent, despite her military service.

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

However, all things considered, two young boys are better off with their caring older sister than in a foster home. All Melissa has to do is convince the court. To do that, she’ll need to drive all the way to Alabama and plead before the court.

Her two friends are committed to helping her on the drive and getting custody of her brothers. That’s what best friends are!

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

This was no short drive. It was a whole 2,000 miles away. It’s almost like everything was working against her favor. Though it’d take quite some force on Earth to keep a loving older sister away from her brothers.

That, and she had help. With her two best friends at her side already, there’s also Greg who had something special planned.

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

Before they head out, Greg wants to give them a few things. First off is a second phone in addition to the one they were all planning to share. There’s no way 3 people can share 1 phone, at least not efficiently, so that’s going to be a huge help.

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

A long trip is sure to make anyone hungry, and Greg and the crew went on a Trader Joe’s shopping spree to get them food too. Melissa is already being faced with quite a lot of expenses, so this is as much a blessing as it is a gift.

And he throws in a $500 prepaid card too so they don’t have to spend on gas. That’ll definitely come in handy.

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

Greg is really going all out, isn’t he? Oh, just you wait.

Remember that bit about Melissa not being able to afford last month’s rent? The cost was $940. Not exactly an amount you can just shell out straight from your wallet, to say the least. It’s not really a secret that living costs are the biggest punches that young people take.

Thankfully, Greg went out of his way to meet Melissa’s landlord and pay off the rent – all $940 of it – so Melissa didn’t have to. Now, she’s all set to go see the court.

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

Next stop: Alabama!

The trip was long, and the build up was probably nerve-racking. But when Melissa pleaded before the court for custody of her brothers, things couldn’t have gone better. The court agreed, and Melissa was overjoyed. Now JJ and Christian are living where they should be – in the care of their older sister.

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

Now all she needed were her brothers. Off they went to their school, and the nerves were back. It had been 6 years since Melissa had seen her brothers.

This is a big moment, surely. Not only is this a reunion, but it’s also an adoption. She’s yet to break the news to them that she’s taking care of them now.

Here comes big sis!

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

She looks for JJ first. They show her the way to his classroom, and the tears come out the very moment she steps in. JJ has been going to school without seeing his older sister for way too long. But not anymore.

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

Then next is Christian’s classroom. Christian gets out of his seat and embraces Melissa on sight. These two boys had been going to school without seeing their older sis for way too long. But now that void in their hearts is filled, and things are a lot brighter.

Now Melissa is about to ask a question that she spent years earning the right to ask.

“Are you ready to come home with me?”

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

Melissa is a strong and capable person, and one hell of an older sister. She served in the military and worked hard to get custody of her brothers so they can have a better home. She’s a true working class hero, and an actual, regular hero too.

But Greg isn’t done helping out.

With 2 young boys living under her roof now, in addition to the 2 best friends already sharing her home, there’s quite a lot of people here now. Greg expects them to be going on road trips, to school, or just family trips to supermarkets and the like.

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

So in perhaps the biggest surprise that Greg has bestowed on them so far, he had some help from Toyota to get Melissa a brand new Toyota RAV-4.

And just to make things easier for them, Toyota has already covered the vehicle service agreement and long-term factory service plan. The tax, title, and license is already paid for too.

After all she’s done and been through, she absolutely deserves it. Thanks to some determination and kind help from a stranger with the means to help.

YouTube screenshot
Source:
YouTube screenshot

Greg’s actions here are a classic reminder that if you have the means to help someone less fortunate and privileged than you, you are basically obligated to do so.

Now Melissa gets to live with the very brothers she loves so much, and start a new chapter in her life. Instead of military service and overdue rent, it’ll be a chapter about family and perseverance. And she wrote it out of love for her family.

The full video is down below for you to watch, and the share button is there too in case you want to share a positive story with your friends.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Article Sources:
To learn more read our Editorial Standards.
Advertisement