Asking someone to become a legal guardian is not a favor. It is a complete life reorganization wrapped in a guilt trip and handed to someone who already gave ten years of free childcare without being asked twice.

Ten years of free childcare, zero complaints, genuine love for the kid, and the reward at the end of it is being asked to also take legal custody of a struggling teenager across state lines, which is either the most touching vote of confidence a person has ever received or the longest con in friendship history.