Eric and Natasha Bouchet (pronounced “Boo-shay”) already had two children of their own when in 2018 they learned that little Tyler, a relative of Natasha’s, needed a loving home. Things were desperate for Tyler due to neglect, malnourishment, and a difficult home situation from which he needed rescue.
Tyler’s Guardian ad Litem attorney appointed by the juvenile court went above and beyond to travel out-of-state to meet the Bouchets on a weekend, type up her own home study for them, file it in court that weekend, and provide what the court needed to get their home approved by Monday.
Tyler could have had a Guardian ad Litem that did none of those things, and he likely would have ended up in the custody of DHR and into foster care. But God knew who Tyler needed.
With the court order, Eric and Natasha welcomed Tyler into their home and he quickly became like a son to them. The Bouchets’ children Michaela and Mitchell weren’t sure what to make of Tyler at first, but they quickly welcomed him with a teasing and competing love that only siblings share.
For 7 years, the Bouchets raised Tyler as their son. He thrived in their home and loved them back as his own. But Tyler didn’t share their last name. He wasn’t fully a Bouchet. But he wanted to be one.
Eric and Natasha wanted to adopt Tyler, but they didn’t know if they could. They weren’t sure Alabama courts would approve of it. They didn’t even know if they should reach out to an attorney about it. Until a relative of Eric’s got an email one day from The Adoption Law Firm. She forwarded it to Eric and Natasha and encouraged them to contact us. They recognized it as another God-moment — a sign. So, with some hope and a little uncertainty, the Bouchets called us. We are all glad they did!
Our team at the Adoption Law Firm got to work preparing the many documents, forms, and reports that compose any petition for adoption. Even in that preparation there were more examples of how the Lord opened doors for the Bouchets that only He could open. More God-moments.
After all the paperwork was filed and the necessary procedures completed, the date of the final adoption hearing was set. I knew this was going to be a fun and joyous adoption hearing, but I didn’t know how much Team Bouchet would not just show up, but show out. Eric, Natasha, brother Mitchell, and Tyler too all came wearing unique, custom- made Bouchet sports jerseys.
The Bouchets weren’t done being loving and kind when the hearing was over. They insisted our team join them for ice cream in celebration afterwards. So the Team Bouchet party continued at a nearby Baskin-Robbins.
Eric Bouchet was on cloud nine that afternoon. He beamed when he proudly told the young man behind the counter at Baskin-Robbins how he had just adopted his son today. I believe he told half the ice cream shop, too.
His father’s love and heart was on full display, and he wanted everyone to hear the good news that he had a new son.
We eventually parted ways with many good wishes, thank-yous, and a happy drive home. God had put all those little moments together to build up to one good day.
He wasn’t done.
The next morning, my Bible reading took me to Ephesians 1:4-6:
“In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”
When we are adopted into the kingdom of God, we become His child, clothed in His righteousness, and identified with the Name above all names.
I forwarded the scripture passage to Eric. Another God-moment.
Eric’s response was accurate: “That is AWESOME!”
It sure is. Even better than a Bouchet adoption, and that’s saying something.
“Thank you for what you have done for my family and I. I can’t wait to wear the Bouchet name with pride!”
Tyler Bouchet
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