Long Island families celebrate adoption

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Jasmine, 12, and Jocelyn, 10, now call Vivian and Eric mom and dad. The Huntington couple had been fostering the sisters for about two years. On Monday, their adoptions were finalized and their family is complete.

In honor of National Adoption Month, Jasmine and Jocelyn are two of 16 children with new forever homes. Since 2002, Nassau County has finalized homes for more than 230 children. For the girls, it's a moment they've been waiting their whole lives for.

Patricia Flynn Schwartz says this is the most special day. She has three older biological children and now she has three more, Danny, Steven and Jennifer. The retired teacher always wanted a big family.

In Nassau County if you're certified to foster a child, you're also eligible to be the adoptive parent once the child becomes free for adoption. This whole process can take anywhere from a year to three years. I'm told it's well worth the wait as the reward of raising a child lasts a lifetime.