“Dear Maddex”: A Love Letter in Q+A
We sat down with Billy and Jill Fulton to ask about their journey with St. Joe’s, foster care, and adoption. On paper, it’s a Q+A. On the heart, it’s something else: a love letter to their son Maddex, and to the community that helped him find a loving home.
Story By: Tiffany White
Photo: Meredith Morrison Photography
What was your journey to adoption like, and what led you to choose our program?
Jill: We knew we wanted children in our family when we got married. We got married later in life, and we tried to get pregnant for a little bit, and it wasn’t happening. We did all the testing and everything was fine. We agreed to start the adoption process at the beginning of the new year if nothing changed. When we got Maddex, we were so thankful we were with St. Joe’s because of the communication and all the support they offer like therapy and daycare. It was a one-stop shop.
Describe the emotions you felt when you first met Maddex.
Jill: He was so small and timid. I think we both saw the seriousness of the situation and his needs. He came in and he asked us where our toy room was. He played with the toys and us. He also called Billy ‘Dad’ within the first 24 hours.
Billy: We found out later that part of the reasoning for this was that he never had a male figure in his life. His dad died early in his life.
What’s been the most surprising part of parenthood for you all?
Jill: Not knowing if our words or actions or moments talking meant anything because he’s six. But then he’ll say something the way we said it, or we see him mimic something kind. This is when we realize he is listening and we’re having an impact on him.
Billy: I’m a school counselor in New Albany and for me it is being the parent of a school age child and recognizing this in my job now; and being able to relate to parents when I talk to them now … having conversations with them and saying to them, ‘OK, I know exactly what you’re going through.’
How has Maddex adjusted to the new home life?
Jill: He likes to be helpful with caring for the baby. When she was younger, he would run to get her burp cloth whenever we asked for it. He is a part of the family and just fits in now, which is great. There was never a thought that he wasn’t going to be with us.
What other ways do you think that the program has supported you and Maddex?
Jill: The work that we’ve done with his therapist, Alex has been instrumental…he loves to see her. We’d contact her for advice on how to make him feel more comfortable.
What are your dreams for his future?
Jill: I hope he becomes whatever he wants to be, and that he’s happy.
How has having Maddex here with you all, how has that impacted your perspective on family and love?
Jill: Well, it was surprising when I realized I loved him, with my whole heart…unconditionally and I didn’t birth him. We’ve known him for almost two years, but it feels like he’s been with us forever. I think it’s a reminder that family doesn’t have to be about blood, and he just fits perfectly into our little home. He brings crazy joy to our house — it’s super joyful and chaotic, with little feet running around and toys everywhere. Our life is dramatically different, but in the best possible way. Right now, he’s into Peter Pan, and when he wears the costume, he pretends we are Captain Hook and that his sister is Tinker Bell.
What message would you like to share with our supporters who help make adoption possible?
Jill: Your support helps families like ours — families who are ready to open our homes and hearts, but don’t always have the means to adopt in more traditional ways. Because of you, our home got to grow in a way we only dreamed about.
Billy: People can give to a lot of different organizations, but choosing St. Joe’s really matters because of the environment you’re investing in. St. Joe’s is so unique in how personal and connected it is. We didn’t just gain a son — we became part of a community that supports kids and families in so many ways.
“One day, when you’re older and read this, Maddex, we hope you can feel what we felt all along—that you were never “just” placed with us. You were meant to be our son.”
P.S. Stories like Maddex’s start with a single “yes.” We’re asking you to say “yes” to helping others through a monthly gift as an Impact Club member. It is simple, powerful, and deeply rewarding. Join the Impact Club and help us write more happy endings.
This post was supported by funds made available by the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s Office of Health Equity from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, under RFA-OT21-2103. The content of this post are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of or endorsement by the Kentucky Department for Public Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.