Army family experiences a Christmas miracle through adoption

SAN JUAN – Staff Sgt. Carlos L. Ramos, a member of the San Juan Recruiting Company, and his wife Jarielys Santiago, a child and youth program assistant at the Fort Buchanan’s Child and Youth Services (CYS) recently shared their journey of adopting three children.

The couple, both Puerto Rico natives, have been married for over 12 years. “We tried to become parents, but it was a challenge,” Ramos said. “But we decided to become parents through adoption. It was the best decision that we ever made.” The Ramos-Santiago family decided to adopt a child, during their previous assignment in the state of Georgia, approximately three years ago. After receiving Permanent Change of Station orders to Puerto Rico, the couple decided to continue with the process of adopting a child on the island.

“At the beginning of the process it was a little difficult, but we found very special people that helped us here in Puerto Rico. I said to myself, “this year before Christmas, we will have our kids,”” said an emotional Santiago, while explaining that their adoption request was recently approved by local authorities. The Ramos-Santiago family are now parents of a 7-year-old girl, one 5-year-old boy and a 3-year-old boy. “It is possible to be happy no matter what happens in your life. Always it’s a choice to be happy and share love,” said Ramos. For Santiago it is all about love. “They are our kids; they deserve the love that we want to give them. We love them already,” said a proud Santiago.