He Ran Into Their Arms While Painting Pumpkins — Four Years Later, He Calls Them Mom and Dad
Some stories begin quietly, without anyone realizing they’ll change lives forever. For Claire and Eric DeLay, that moment happened on an ordinary autumn afternoon, surrounded by paint, pumpkins, and laughter. What they didn’t know then was that the 2½-year-old boy who ran straight into Eric’s arms that day would one day call them Mom and Dad.
Claire, now 29, still remembers the scene vividly. “As soon as he got out of the car, he ran straight into my husband’s arms,” she told People. “And for the rest of the night, he didn’t want to be with anyone else.” That boy was nicknamed Jay — bright-eyed, full of energy, and carrying a past no toddler should have to bear. But in that spontaneous embrace, something clicked. It was as if he had found the place he was meant to be.
At the time, Claire and Eric had only recently married, in September 2021. Like many couples starting out, they talked about their future, their dreams, and their shared desire to one day foster or adopt. They never expected that day to come so soon. But when the opportunity arose, they opened their hearts — and their home — without hesitation. “We thought we were preparing to make a difference in a child’s life,” Claire said softly. “We didn’t realize how much he would change ours.”
Fostering came with its challenges. There were court hearings, sleepless nights, and endless paperwork. But through it all, Jay brought joy, laughter, and a reminder of what unconditional love really looks like. He fit in naturally, bonding not just with Eric and Claire but later with their daughter, who was born after Jay joined the family.
Four years later, their lives look completely different. Family photos show them smiling under the sun, surrounded by Christmas trees, beaches, and birthday balloons. Jay beams in every picture, his joy impossible to miss. He’s no longer just a foster child — he’s their son in every way that matters. The DeLays officially adopted him, sealing what their hearts had known all along: that they were meant to be a family.
Still, Claire hasn’t forgotten the lessons the journey taught her. “When we first started fostering, people would ask, ‘Where did he come from?’ — as if he had to be from another country,” she recalled. “That’s when I realized how little people knew about foster care here in the U.S., and how many children are still waiting for homes.” Her words are both tender and powerful — a reminder that love doesn’t depend on shared DNA but on the willingness to show up, to open your door, and to say yes.
For Claire and Eric, fostering wasn’t just an act of kindness. It was a calling. They talk openly about the importance of giving children stability and belonging, even if it starts as temporary care. “Not every story ends like ours,” Claire admits, “but every child deserves a safe place, even if it’s just for a while.”
Today, when Jay runs into their arms, it’s not by chance — it’s homecoming. What started as a chance meeting over painted pumpkins has become a forever bond built on patience, hope, and love that grew quietly, one hug at a time.
