We all know that being someone’s parents is much more than a biological thing. You don’t have to be related to a child to be considered their parents, and being related to someone does not necessarily mean they are your child.

Many people have experienced these blurry lines in the definition of parenthood on their own skin, whether it is because they are adopted or because someone else in their family has stepped up as a makeshift parent when they were needed. Either way, there are enough people out in the world to testify that being a parent is a commitment that goes a lot deeper than the act of creation. 

In a few years, the son in the story below will also join the list of people who were raised by someone who was not their biological parent. Since he was 9 days old, this baby was being raised by his aunt, who later became his mom, when it was clear that his ‘real’ mom is not up for the task.