By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher, Prince William Living
National Adoption Day brought joy to the Prince William County Courthouse as families, friends, and supporters gathered to celebrate life-changing commitments. The event filled the courtroom with applause, shared stories, and the kind of hopeful energy that Judge Carroll A. Weimer, Jr. of the 31st Judicial Circuit Court warmly acknowledged.
“This ceremony each year is one of the few times that people actually want to come to the courthouse. It’s nice to see happy faces,” Weimer said.
Observed nationwide on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, National Adoption Day honors adoptive families and the children who gain permanent homes. This year, five Prince William County families finalized the adoption of seven children.
Among the attendees were Charles and Trudy McCullough, who adopted their son, also named Charles, sixteen years ago. They returned to celebrate with this year’s families and to share their experience. The elder McCullough delivered the keynote address, speaking directly to the impact adoptive parents have on their children.
“It’s such a great honor to be here today,” McCullough said. “You all are true heroes today. Everyone here is going to have a huge impact on your kid’s lives. Please remember to be there for each other, to help your kids to grow up to be good, upstanding citizens.”
He reminded families that adoption begins a long journey; one filled with the unexpected but also with meaning.
The younger McCullough, now a high school junior with brown eyes, recalled when he first understood he was adopted. After learning in school that two blue-eyed parents cannot have a brown-eyed child, he began asking questions. The realization never shook him.
“It didn’t really affect me at all. I accepted it,” he said. “I looked at them as my parents. They had been there for me my whole life. I couldn’t ask for better parents. I’m very proud to be adopted and very happy.”
His father echoed that pride.
“Like every journey as a parent, it has been up-and-down, but it has been the joy of my life to be his father and to help guide him into becoming a man,” he said.
Judge Katherine C. McCollam of the 31st Juvenile Domestic Court noted the longstanding impact of this day. Over the past twenty-two years, 107 children have been adopted in Prince William County through National Adoption Day celebrations.
She recognized the many hands that make each adoption possible. The Prince William County Department of Social Services, the Manassas Department of Family Services, the Manassas Park Department of Social Services, the Prince William Bar Association, and the Circuit Court of Prince William all play roles in connecting children with permanent homes.
Parents at the ceremony spoke openly about their motivations. One mother said she adopted because she wanted the chance to be a parent.
“I wanted to help a child in need, and I was able to take the opportunity to be a mom,” she said.
Another parent explained her decision simply.
“There are so many kids in the system, and I have the ability to do so,” she said.
As an adoptive parent himself, Judge Weimer offered encouragement.
“For those of you who are the adoptive parents, congratulations,” he said. “I know that the decision to adopt is filled with hope, happiness and not just a little bit of anxiety. None of those feelings will go away, but the worry will be overshadowed by the joy and love you will receive.”
He also addressed the children directly.
“We celebrate you becoming part of what people call forever families. Your parents and all these people are here to celebrate your adoption – to celebrate you. Everyone here is part of your adoption and will be part of your lives forever.”
Although the adoptions took place at different times throughout the year, Judge Weimer closed the ceremony with a meaningful tradition. He invited the children to the bench one by one to sign their adoption certificates, turning the moment into a memory for each family.
Families interested in learning more about foster care and adoption in Prince William County can visit pwcva.gov/social-services/foster-care-adoption.
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Rebecca Barnes is the Publisher of Prince William Living and a longtime community leader in Greater Prince William. With more than thirty years of experience in journalism, marketing, and civic engagement, she is dedicated to sharing stories that strengthen connections across the region.
