A simple pumpkin painting night for neighbors unexpectedly led Claire and Eric DeLay to meet their future adoptive son, JT. Their remarkable journey from a chance encounter to becoming his forever parents, supporting his developmental progress, and inspiring countless others through their advocacy, highlights the profound impact of open hearts and community connection in foster care.
For many, pumpkin painting is a beloved autumn tradition, a fun activity bringing families and communities together. But for Claire and Eric DeLay, a simple neighborhood pumpkin painting night four years ago became the unexpected starting point of their journey to parenthood. What began as a casual gathering quickly blossomed into a heartwarming adoption story, demonstrating how profound connections can emerge from the most ordinary moments.
Just a month into their marriage in September 2021, the DeLays, who harbored a deep desire to foster and adopt, hosted a pumpkin painting event in their driveway. Among the eager participants was a 2½-year-old boy, nicknamed “Jay,” attending with his foster parents. This seemingly ordinary evening would irrevocably alter the course of their lives.
A Chance Encounter Leads to Forever
That evening, young Jay gravitated towards Eric, running straight into his arms. For the rest of the night, he formed an undeniable bond with the couple. Claire, 29, shared with People, “As soon as he got out of the car, he ran straight into my husband’s arms. And for the rest of the night, he didn’t want to be with anyone else.”
A connection also formed between the DeLays and Jay’s biological mother, who was also present. Soon after, Jay’s foster parents inquired if Claire and Eric could care for him on weekends. This arrangement fell under what’s known as “informal care” in their Oklahoma community—a system allowing children to stay with trusted adults without state certification. To learn more about informal care options, you can visit ChildCare.gov.
The weekend visits quickly deepened. By early 2022, both Jay’s foster parents and biological mother approached the DeLays, indicating Jay would likely become adoptable and asking if they would consider offering him a permanent home. For Claire, this felt like destiny. “I always knew adoption would be part of our story — even before we got married,” she reflected. “We just didn’t realize it would happen so quickly.”
From “Jay” to JT: A New Name, A New Chapter
In May 2022, Jay officially moved in with the DeLays. Just over a year later, in September 2023, while Claire was pregnant with the couple’s biological daughter, his adoption was finalized. The family celebrated with a large “kid shower” and another huge party when the adoption was complete, making JT feel immensely celebrated.
To honor his roots while providing a fresh start, the DeLays renamed him Jaden Teddy, keeping “Jay” from his biological name, and affectionately calling him JT for short. Claire shared a sweet anecdote about his initial struggles with his new name: “When we first met him, he couldn’t even say his name. I asked, ‘Can you say JT?’ and he said, ‘Chai Tea.’ So we still call him that sometimes.”
The Power of Early Intervention and Support
JT’s new chapter brought challenges. At just over 3 years old when he joined the DeLays, he was developmentally delayed. Claire noted, “He was nonverbal, had no fine motor skills, couldn’t color, didn’t know his letters, colors, or animal sounds.” Determined to help him thrive, Claire and Eric enrolled him in intensive speech therapy four times a week with three different pathologists.
Their dedication paid off. Gradually, JT’s progress became evident, a testament to the power of consistent support and early intervention. Organizations like the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) provide valuable resources and guidance for parents navigating speech and language development in children, emphasizing the critical role of early and ongoing therapy.
Now, at 6 years old, JT is flourishing. “He reads on grade level, talks nonstop and just played his first flag football game where he scored five touchdowns,” Claire beamed. The transformation is profound, often leaving friends and family amazed when they see his progress after some time apart. Claire added, “We’re just so proud of how hard he’s worked. He’s the sweetest boy, such a great big brother, and we honestly can’t imagine our family without him.”
Inspiring a Community: Sharing the Journey
As JT grew and thrived, Claire recognized a broader opportunity to educate others about foster care in the U.S. She noticed many people were unaware of the sheer number of children awaiting homes within their own country. This realization spurred her to share their family’s unique adoption story on TikTok under the handle @okiemommy, not just to document JT’s progress but to raise awareness.
Her videos quickly went viral, reaching millions. One particular TikTok video, which garnered over 900,000 views, powerfully summarized their journey: “Rich, because one month into marriage we randomly met a little boy painting pumpkins in our driveway. That little boy now calls us Mom and Dad.”
The Ripple Effect of Love
Claire’s authentic sharing has created a significant impact. She estimates that at least five families have reached out, inspired to begin their own fostering journeys after seeing her posts. This ripple effect extends to foster kids and adoptees themselves, who often message Claire to share their stories or simply vent. “I can’t always fix things, but I can listen — and I think that matters,” she noted.
An Open Door, A Ready Heart
The DeLays’ commitment to helping children in need didn’t end with JT’s adoption. Their home continues to be a safe haven, welcoming more than 30 children since JT’s arrival, through both informal care and licensed fostering. Their philosophy is simple yet profound:
- No Fixed Plans: They avoid rigid expectations.
- Openness to Life: They believe children enter their lives when they are meant to.
- Unconditional Love: They remain ready to offer love to whoever needs it next.
The DeLays’ story is a powerful reminder that love knows no bounds, and that sometimes, the greatest gifts arrive wrapped in unexpected packages, especially during a casual pumpkin painting event.
