A sixth grader, adopted alongside his brother from an orphanage in Sierra Leone, has had a series of “firsts” since starting his new life in the United States. But seeing his first-ever birthday cake was almost more than he could handle.
Abraham broke into a flood of grateful tears as his adoptive mom, Jamie Walker, brought his cake into the room and the family sang “Happy Birthday!” Footage of the moving moment has since gone viral on social media.
An emotional Abraham leaped from his chair and passed his brother into his adoptive father, Joe Walker’s, arms, then Jamie’s. His family implored, “Make a wish, make a wish!” but Abraham had never done this before.
“As it unfolded, it dawned on me that Abraham would have no idea what ’make a wish' meant, so we let him have a redo,” Jamie said.
Upon rewatching the footage, Jamie’s daughter, Riley, asked whether Abraham’s tears were happy tears. The mom told her yes.
“Those tears are what joy looks like,” Jamie said.
Jamie and Joe, who have four biological children, finalized their adoption of Abraham and his ninth-grade brother, James, in November 2021.
Joe had bonded with James during a visit to his friend’s orphanage, The Raining Season Orphanage in Sierra Leone, for its 10-year anniversary.
After Joe returned to the United States, he stayed in touch with James via a cellphone he had gifted him so they could Skype every month. The family had even begun sponsoring James.
Six months later, the Walkers learned that James had been forced out of his orphanage. When James went back to his village, Joe was introduced to James’s little brother, Abraham. The concerned family would stay in touch with the siblings by FaceTiming them every day.
After meeting Abraham and having both brothers sent back to the safe environs of the orphanage, Joe approached his own family about adoption. It was a unanimous “yes” from Jamie and their kids.
They then asked the brothers, who were really excited at the prospect of being with a family. The Walkers then began to get the paperwork ready.
Despite some challenges because of travel restrictions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the brothers made it to the United States in November 2021. Since arriving in Charlotte, North Carolina, the siblings have had the opportunity to experience a lot of firsts, such as their first real haircuts, their first car wash, and their first day of school.
The boys never even knew what a birthday was before they were adopted.
For his cake—and so much more—the birthday boy is forever grateful to his new family.
“They’re the ones that showed me to the world and showed me what happiness is and showed me what love is and showed me what it means to have a family around you,” Abraham said.
