BOYNE CITY — One man has taken on the role of dad, not only to his stepson, but also to three little girls, all under the age of two.
Matt McKelvey said he and his wife Alyssa, married last September, have always said fostering was in their future.
“We’re not sure if we’re able to have our own kids or not. My wife’s family has a background of fostering kids and I worked as a foster care case manager. I saw a huge need in foster care, and my wife did as well,” said McKelvey.
They got the chance to add to their family back in December of 2023, when they were asked to foster not just one, but two, three month old baby girls.
They eventually also took on fostering the twins’ baby sister at two months old.
“It’s beautiful. I love every single bit of it. It’s kind of nerve wracking, with the point of not knowing if the children are going to remain with us or, if they go back, to the parents. You just never know what to expect,” said McKelvey.
He said they are currently in the process of trying to adopt the twins. He said he’s getting a kick out of being a girl dad.
“I got that initial attachment to them. Call them, my daughters. It’s a feeling that I never really get to experience. And I love every bit of it,” said McKelvey.
McKelvey said it’s not just him falling in love with them.
He has a 7 year old stepson named Beckham who’s enjoying his role as big brother.
“He’s just amazing with those kiddos. And, you know, when we see them all together, we see the attachment and the love that all of us have for each other,” said McKelvey.
He said he’s known Beckham since he was four and considers him his own.
“He knows who his bio dad is and he knows me as bonus dad. And I’m completely cool with that. I love it, “ said McKelvey.
McKelvey said family moments are what he lives for.
“Coming home, after a long day at work, the twins run up to me and say, hi, daddy. You know, those are the things that, you know, I love the most,” said McKelvey.
He says this Father’s Day, he is also thinking about the sacrifices other fathers made to give him the life he has.
“I just sometimes hear, like, they’re trying to take the easy way out or they don’t want to take on responsibilities. And, you know, I don’t 100% believe that. I think that a lot of them are just doing this out of acts of love, putting their kids first,” said McKelvey.