Luz Garcia and her husband have been fostering children since 2018.
The family, from Arkansas, recently shared a glimpse into their lives as foster parents that has since gone viral. The TikTok video shows their son, Xeius, with his new foster baby brother, Benny—a moment that would change their family forever.
Since the video was posted, it has received nearly three million likes. Garcia spoke to Newsweek about how Xeius’ relationship with Benny prompted her to make a decision she never anticipated.
Xeius’s first interaction with the newborn baby was a truly special one, according to Garcia.
“It was a Sunday and he wanted to stay in his Sunday best, suit and tie, to meet his newborn foster baby brother,” Garcia said. At that time, they didn’t know he would be with them forever, but Xeius was “beyond excited because he kept asking for a baby brother.”
During one of their first interactions, Xeius held Benny and promised to protect and love him.
“It was the sweetest and saddest thing to watch, because we were told that a relative would be getting approved soon,” Garcia said.
The viral clip captured a particularly heartbreaking moment, with Xeius “crying for our newborn foster baby, not understanding, heartbroken and apologizing that his bio family couldn’t care for him or love him—and promising to be there forever,” Garcia wrote in the caption.
People in the comments took instantly to the video, some with personal experience of the foster care system and the importance of a supportive, loving family.
“It’s family like yours that put my heart at ease when my sister was in the system,” one user wrote. “She had an amazing family looking after her and I was able to get my life together and then became her foster parent because my mom couldn’t be present. I’m 24 she is two.”
“This is such a testament to how you’ve raised [Xeius],” another commenter wrote. “He’s emotionally intelligent, acutely aware of his heart and his home within it, fiercely loyal to those he chooses as his and proud to be a shepherd of love.”
A Family is Chosen
Garcia said her family is generally pro-reunification with biological parents, believing it is the primary goal of the foster system. However, after all other biological family options were explored and exhausted, the family was given an opportunity that they immediately embraced. When asked if they would be open to adoption, Garcia said, “it was an immediate yes.”
The experience has taught her the definition of true family.
“This experience has taught us that family is not created by blood or DNA,” she said. “Family is chosen—it’s the love and safety you choose to give. Fostering has shown me how resilient children are, how deep love can grow in such a short time and how important it is to open your heart even when it might hurt.”
Since the adoption in December 2024, the brothers’ family bond has only grown stronger.
“They are truly each other’s safe place,” Garcia shared. “They laugh together and Xeius encourages and protects Benny like no other. There’s such a strong foundation of love and security between them.”
“Love doesn’t run out,” she concluded. “The more you give, the more it grows. And family can be built in so many beautiful ways.”
The post Boy, 9, Cares for Foster Baby, Then His Mom Makes Life-Changing Decision appeared first on Newsweek.
