Meet the Incredible Single Mom Who Has Fostered 50+ Kids in 6 Years
Melissa Servetz of Florida has always wanted to make a difference in children’s lives. Servetz, a former elementary school teacher, is no stranger to kids. Over the last 6 years, she has fostered more than 60 children, according to People.
Little did she know that she would end up adopting four of them, all siblings: Jade, 8, Destiny, 6, Matthew, 4, and Emerson, 2.
The story of Servetz’s family began when she became involved in the siblings’ lives after their biological mother made “bad choices,” she told People.
“I think about where they would’ve been if I didn’t save them, she said. “It breaks my heart, but at the same time, it makes my heart overflow because I know they have a great life now.”
Servetz began fostering Jade, who was 2 at the time. A few days later, she also took in Destiny, who was 16 months at the time, according to People. Servetz decided to adopt both sisters in December 2017. She recalled the moment when the adoption became finalized.
“It was like a waterfall. Everybody in the room was crying. My attorney was crying. The judge was crying.”
Servetz’s family grew even more in June 2018. She told People that she had received a call disclosing that the sisters’ biological mother had given birth to a baby boy; three days later, she welcomed Matthew into the family and officially adopted him in April 2019.
Once again, the siblings’ biological mother gave birth to another baby boy, Emerson, in March 2020. In July 2021, Servetz officially adopted young Emerson.
“You don’t realize how much you can love another human, times four — it’s unconditional, really,” Servetz said. “No matter how rough of a day…I’m going to love them no matter what. I’m going to be there to support them.”
Servetz suffered a miscarriage in her previous marriage; she is currently single.
“It’s not easy — but at the end of the day, they’re mine forever. Every day is a brand new day,” she told People. “We’re going to start this new day on a happy note and just go from there. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I have no regrets. I would do it all over again.”
The one lesson that Servetz would like to teach her children is to “pay it forward when they grow up.”
“They all have huge hearts,” she said. “It takes good people with good hearts to make the world a good place.”
When asked about her decision to adopt, Servetz shared with People that part of it was due to not wanting the siblings to be separated. If the siblings’ biological mother becomes pregnant again, Servetz welcomes the baby with open arms.
“I can’t in my heart let them go somewhere else,” she said. “If I find out that there’s another baby in another place, in another home, I mean, there’s no doubt that I will try to get that baby.”
“At the end of the day, if it’s too much for me, my sister is open to adopting that baby, because she’s always wanted to adopt, too. There’s a place for that baby to go to stay in the family.”
Servetz looks to inspire others to adopt and open their hearts and homes to a child in need by sharing her story.
“There are so many children out there who want to be part of a family, especially teenagers, and they come with heavy shoulders,” she said. “But, in the end, the difference and impact a loving person can make to these children are incredible. My hope is that every child who needs one is able to find that loving, caring forever home for them.”
