Tessa, 13 years old, NJ | 31 DAYS WAITING

Wish submitted by:

Marksboro Community Church

Tessa is a princess at heart. She loves dolls, Disney, sparkles, playing pretend, and dancing. Recently, as she has grown older, her interests have shifted a bit. While she once loved pink and purple, she now favors light blue and light green, and she has a passion for movies and music, although she still enjoys very girly things. One of her favorite characters is Stitch from Disney, and she has many Stitch-themed items. Tessa is very close to her family and particularly enjoys snuggling with her pre-adoptive mom. She also adores little kids and loves to dance. You can often find her trying to gather younger kids to follow along with dance routines she has created. Perhaps she will grow up to be a dance teacher!

Tessa recently realized that she needs to carry a bag with her these days, but she has made it clear that purses are not her style. What she really wants is a small Stitch backpack that she found online after a magical trip to Disney World with her foster mom. During that trip, Tessa had the chance to meet Stitch in person, and it brought her to tears. She felt a deep connection to his quirky, misunderstood, and fiercely loyal personality, which resonates with her in ways she struggles to describe. Her favorite quote is “Ohana means family,” and after everything she has experienced in foster care, she feels that Stitch understands her. While at the park, she saw a Stitch backpack, but it was very pricey and beyond her budget. Her foster mom gently explained that it was too expensive at the moment. Tessa then found a slightly cheaper option that she loves just as much. She wishes someone could grant her this wish so she can carry it with her every day. It would serve as a daily reminder of that special moment at Disney, who she is, and the kind of family that doesn’t give up on you.