LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It was a special day for more than a half-dozen southern Indiana families on Friday.
The families were so excited to start their day in front of a judge. They aren't in trouble with the law but started the day in the courtroom because it's National Adoption Day.
Most people aren't excited to start their day in a court of law but there was a good reason for all of the smiles and tears of joy.
Families in Clark County celebrated National Adoption Day on Nov. 17, 2023. (WDRB photo)
It was adoption day for John, Eric and Cooper Atchison.
"So, Coop, do you want to do this," Judge Reger asked.
As Cooper made her way to the bench, Reger made it official.
"Adoption granted, congratulations," Reger said.
And just like that, the Atchisons are officially a family.
"We've been together her whole life and now we're official," father John Atchison said.
"It doesn't really change a whole lot with us, just means a lot to me," Atchison said.
The Atchisons were one of eight Clark County families finalizing their adoptions on National Adoption Day.
"For us as judicial officers, it's one of the best things that we can do and it's a happy day, we are bringing families together and finding suitable homes for children," Reger said.
And the families aren't the only ones with tears of joy.
"I'm kind of known as the judge that cries, I feel everything so deeply," Reger said.
For Reger, it's personal.
"Before I took the bench I used to be an adoption attorney," Reger said. "So it's extra special for me to be on the other side of it."
And for the families, home for the holidays will be extra special this year.
"This makes all of our holiday," the Atchisons said. "We didn't know that it was National Adoption Day either or I would have had a haircut."
National Adoption Day is only once a year but like most places, Clark County does adoptions year-round.
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