A heartwarming celebration captured the hearts of thousands as a four-year-old girl experienced her first birthday party ever. Genesis, who spent three years in foster care without any birthday celebrations, was finally given the birthday bash she deserved by her adoptive mother, Jess Gaytan.
On April 26, 2024, Jess shared a touching TikTok video of her daughter, Genesis, celebrating her fourth birthday at a gymnastics studio rented out for the occasion. The event was attended by 50 friends and family members, including some of Genesis’ daycare teachers and their children.
4-Year-Old Adopted Girl Has Her
Genesis, adorned in a unicorn-themed headband, sat in front of a beautifully decorated rainbow cake with presents stacked high in the background. The moment was filled with love and joy, a stark contrast to the years Genesis spent in foster care without such celebrations.
Tears of Joy and Love
The emotional event, documented in a viral TikTok video, brought tears to many eyes and highlighted the struggles and triumphs of children in the foster care system.
4-Year-Old Adopted Girl Has Her
In the video, Jess’ caption explained the significance of the day, “Watch my daughter experience her first birthday party ever, around people that love her after spending 3 years in foster care never being celebrated.”
The TikTok video quickly went viral, garnering over 127,000 likes and 926,000 views, as of June 24, 2024. Genesis’ tearful reaction, where she continuously expressed her love for her parents left viewers deeply moved.
“She cried the entire time in happiness, kept saying ‘I love you Daddy & Mommy,'” continued Jess, who is mother to two other daughters through adoption.
4-Year-Old Adopted Girl Has Her
Genesis’ life before her adoption was fraught with instability and neglect. According to Jess, Genesis’ previous foster homes did not celebrate her birthdays or organize any special events.
During her last birthday in 2023, while still in the foster system, Jess and her husband, Jorge Gaytan, sent gifts, cards, and flowers, and even attempted to connect via FaceTime.
Despite their efforts, Genesis’ placement family was reluctant to facilitate the connection, and it became clear that the little girl’s birthday was not being celebrated in a meaningful way.
From Neglect to Celebration
Jess recalls that Genesis spent her 2022 birthday in a hotel room, waiting for a new foster placement. “I don’t understand how anybody could do that,” Jess said. “We’re their 11th and final home, so I think it’s crazy that she had three birthdays prior to us and they didn’t celebrate her.”
The birthday party not only marked Genesis’ fourth birthday but also celebrated her newfound stability and love within her adoptive family.
4-Year-Old Adopted Girl Has Her
Jess, who has been fostering children since 2021, expressed her surprise at her daughter’s emotional reaction. “She just started tearing up. She blew out the candles then gave me a hug and she didn’t leave my chest. And I’m like, ‘You want to talk about it? Are you okay?’ And she’s like, ‘I’m just happy, Mama,'” Jess recalled.
After the party, Genesis opened up further, expressing that no one had ever given her a birthday party before. This revelation highlighted the neglect she had experienced in her previous foster homes and emphasized the significance of this celebration.
4-Year-Old Adopted Girl Has Her
A Viral Moment
The viral TikTok video drew a wave of support and empathy from viewers, many of whom shared their own experiences in the foster care system.
One commenter wrote, “as a kid who was in foster care a few years ago.. thank you. i remember crying my eyes out at every birthday because i didn’t have a family. you gave her that & so much more❤️❤️❤️[sic].”
4-Year-Old Adopted Girl Has Her
Another added, “My daughter was 5 when I got her. In her 6th bday family and friends surrounded her with candles and a cake and sang to her. When she finished singing she looked at me because she had no idea what she was supposed to do next, while everyone else waited for her to blow out the candles. This was the first time I knew she had never celebrated a birthday [sic].”
One person wrote,“Her little eyes show us that she’s been through so much. May God bless her soul and send more angels with love to give her. Thank you for being a great soul for her 🫶🏽.”
Another said,“Social worker here 🤚🏼 this is absolutely precious! May the [Lord] bless your whole family.”
One TikTok user noted,“Oh my gosh you made it so special with all of the details, including her unicorn crown!!!! 😭 Mom goals. you did a great job, Mama 🥰 [sic].”
4-Year-Old Adopted Girl Has Her
Another chimed in,\ugh im sobbing!!! how precious 🩷 she will remember this moment her whole life [sic].”
Others shared similar sentiments. “I have a photo exactly like this of my daughter having her first post-foster care bday with a unicorn headband on too! Happy birthday baby girl,” one person commented.
4-Year-Old Adopted Girl Has Her
Changing the Narrative
Jess’ decision to share the video was not just about documenting a sweet moment; she hoped it would bring attention to the flaws in the foster care system.
“I’m not saying all foster homes are bad, because obviously we’re a foster home,” she explained. “But I feel like there needs to be better … vetting, I guess, on who gets to be a foster parent.”
By throwing such a memorable party for Genesis, Jess and Jorge aimed to make up for the lost birthdays and provide their daughter with a sense of normalcy and joy. The couple have made it their mission to ensure their children feel loved and celebrated.
Both of Genesis’ sisters — six-year-old Bonnie and three-year-old Sophia — were also there to party by her side. But, that was just part of the good news. The whole family had another major milestone to celebrate.
After a long journey to officially adopt Genesis and Bonnie, who are biological sisters, Jess and Jorge received word that they were going to be the girls’ forever parents, confirming many, many more birthday parties to come.
The birthday party was a significant milestone for Genesis and her family. It symbolized not only her fourth birthday but also the end of a tumultuous journey through the foster care system. With her adoptive parents and sisters by her side, Genesis can look forward to many more celebrations filled with love and happiness.
As Jess put it, “Here’s to forever.” The family’s commitment to providing a stable and loving home for Genesis and her sisters ensures that every birthday from now on will be a celebration of their enduring bond and the bright future ahead.
If this story warmed your heart, here’s another one you might like even more:
Mom of 4 Confronts Police at Home After Viral Videos — Community Rallies in Her Defense
Nicole, a 25-year-old mother of four, regularly shares clips of her messy house to highlight the realities of managing a household with children. However, she faced an unexpected ordeal when police officers arrived at her home.
4-Year-Old Adopted Girl Has Her
Nicole, who resides in Worthing, West Sussex, has been creating content online since March 2024. Her honest portrayal of her daily life quickly amassed a following of over 19,000. However, with this visibility came criticism and trolling.
The situation escalated when a TikTok user reported Nicole to the police, claiming her messy house was indicative of child neglect. However, the visit from the police has sparked a wave of support for Nicole, with many rallying in her support.
4-Year-Old Adopted Girl Has Her
Nicole described the harrowing experience in a TikTok video in early June. “One of you guys sent the police to our door. You heard me, yes. [You] sent the police to our door for a children’s welfare check,” she explained.
“They came under the grounds of child neglect. I can’t believe it, I’m gobsmacked. The police knocking on our door at 8:00 at night whilst our children are in bed trying to go to sleep,” she continued.
4-Year-Old Adopted Girl Has Her
The police spent nearly two hours examining the living conditions and speaking with each child