A Bay area teen has gotten her wish, after spending years in the foster system.
From now on, 18-year-old Mariah Boyd will go by Elena Nicole Foster.
Her name was officially changed at her adoption ceremony Tuesday. Her new mother is St. Petersburg City Councilwoman Amy Foster, who said she knew she wanted to adopt the teen after seeing her Heart Gallery profile last year.
“I can think of no worthier task than being your mother forever and for always and no matter what,” Foster said.
It wasn’t an easy path at first. Elena admits being guarded when Foster first took her in back in March.
“It’s taken a long time for me to open up but I’m getting used to it and adjusting to it,” Elena said. “There’s times she’s like just talk to me and I’m like I can’t. I’m not used to being loved, I’m not used to this.”
But Foster was determined to get through and soon the pair’s relationship blossomed. Foster helped Elena get her grades up at school and was by her side at Elena’s high school graduation in May.
Now, their mother-daughter relationship has been made official by the court.
Elena plans to go on to start her Associate’s degree this fall and eventually become a social worker so she can help children who have to overcome the same obstacles she did.