For the first time at Bradley Lirette’s Thanksgiving table, he was surrounded by his five children — none of whom he could call his own just four years ago.

Lirette adopted three children — a set of siblings 12, 13 and 18 years old — from foster care in 2016, adding to his already growing family. Three years earlier, he had adopted a pair of siblings, who are now 12 and 17 years old.

Included at the table were the children’s biological parents, Lirette’s ex- and current partner, who have both helped parent the children, and Lirette's own extended family.

“It sounds chaotic, but it just works out,” Lirette, 34, said, laughing. 

Continue reading on The Advocate