Our Foster Care Journey: A Call to Love and Serve

Fostering isn't just a family tradition for us - it's a calling. My grandmother (Nanny) cared for over 120 foster children in her lifetime, setting an incredible example of love and service. Following in her footsteps, Julie and I became licensed foster parents in 2018, and we've had the privilege of caring for more than 25 children since then.

The need is immense. In South Carolina alone, there are over 4,000 children in foster care, but only about 1,000 foster homes are available. That's nearly four children for every available home.

People often ask us how we can open our home to strangers or how we cope with saying goodbye. The truth is, this experience has taught us so much. We've learned that all children - and most adults - simply desire love and acceptance without judgment. Through our faith, we're able to provide these children a safe haven, even if it's temporary.

Yes, it's hard to let them go. But we remind ourselves of the challenges these children face, and our momentary discomfort pales in comparison to the lifelong difference we can make in a child's life.

We believe all children are God's children, entrusted to our care. By fostering, we have the opportunity to show love, stability, and acceptance to those who need it most.

I challenge you to consider fostering. The impact you could have on a child's life is immeasurable. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it.

Julian's Journey: Our Adoption Story

Julian was dead set on signing his own adoption agreement so he could be part of our family forever! This is a picture of him signing that exact agreement!

In 2019, our lives changed forever when a 3-year-old boy named Julian came into our care. From the moment he arrived, we knew in our hearts that he was meant to be our son. In March 2020, Julian became a permanent part of our family, and we officially finalized his adoption in 2022.

Julian has seamlessly become "one of us." As the youngest of five children, he's learned to hold his own, which has helped shape him into a resilient and adaptable child. His siblings don't cut him any slack, but this has only fueled his competitive spirit and athletic prowess.

It's amazing to see Julian excel in nearly every sport he tries. He's particularly fond of running, often joining his mom for runs. He's even ventured out on his own to run 5Ks, frequently finishing at the top of his age group. His determination and natural talent continue to impress us.

We feel incredibly blessed that God chose us to be Julian's forever home. Watching him grow, develop his skills, and integrate into our family has been a joy beyond measure. We're excited to see what the future holds for Julian and look forward to supporting him every step of the way as he continues to grow and flourish.

Our adoption journey with Julian has reinforced our belief in the power of love and family. It's a testament to how fostering can lead to beautiful, permanent connections. We're grateful for every day we have with Julian and can't imagine our family without him.

In 2023, I introduced a new approach to showcasing furniture and mattress products: a fully-equipped mobile showroom.

This custom-renovated 17' cargo trailer features LVT flooring, fresh paint, air conditioning, and a mini-fridge, all powered by an attached generator for complete mobility.

The exterior boasts unique artwork created by a talented 14-year-old student, depicting a motorcycle made from a dresser and ridden by a mattress man—a creative fusion of the furniture and mattress world with life on the road.

This innovative mobile showroom allows us to bring actual samples of mattresses and furniture directly to our retail partners and prospective clients. It offers a hands-on experience with our products, moving beyond traditional catalog presentations.

Our mobile showroom represents a significant investment in customer service and product demonstration, providing a unique opportunity for retailers to see and experience our latest offerings firsthand in their own parking lots.