It was an adoption unlike any other. A family got to adopt two little girls during the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead of going to court, it was all done right from their living room; a Thursday afternoon full of celebration for the Clark family.

"We wanted them to be Clarks for the last two years," says Maria and John Clark of North Boston.

The day before Erie County courts closed due to COVID-19, Maria and John Clark, then foster parents, turned adoption papers in. They wanted 2-year-old Aurora and soon-to-be 3-year-old Laila, to officially be members of the family.

"I guess I didn't even consider that they would open up virtually," Maria admits.

But the courts did. The Clarks were surprised by a phone call last week.

"I got a call from our lawyer that said adoptions were added to list of family emergency functions for court and that Judge Sharon LoVallo wanted to move forward with it," she explains.

And Thursday, the adoption was able to happen via Skype.

"Now's the big moment. I'm not sure how this is gonna work over Skype, but are we ready for our drum roll. You are now officially Laila and Aurora Clark, a forever family," Judge LoVallo announced over Skype.

Fun fact: Adoption has always been a big part of Maria's life.

"My grandma aged out of foster care, my dad was adopted, me and my two siblings were adopted and now we carry on the tradition," she says.

The Clarks are now a family of eight with six kids all together ranging from 2 to 24 years old.

"We aren't done yet. We don't think our family is complete yet," both John and Maria laugh. 

A family full of life and love. A May 14 made special, in so many ways.