Footprints Floors Franchisees Steve and April Namio Celebrate the Joy of Adoption

Steve and April Namio, who have been Footprints Floors franchisees in Madison, Wisconsin, since 2020, recently welcomed a new chapter in their lives through adoption. Their daughter Gabriela joined their family just a few weeks ago, capping off a journey filled with love, perseverance and unwavering commitment. Their story aligns perfectly with the spirit of November’s National Adoption Month, highlighting the transformative power of adoption for both children and families.

The Namios’ path to adoption was years in the making. “We met later in life,” Steve said. “We’d both been married before, and I have grown children from my previous marriage. April loves them as her stepkids, and we’re all very close. About 12 years ago, we started talking about adoption.”

Initially, the couple explored fostering. While fostering brought meaningful connections, they didn’t find the right fit to expand their family. Then, a few years ago, they discovered Kidsave, a hosting program for older children from other countries. This program introduces children ages 10 to 15 to potential families during short visits to the United States.

“That’s how we met Gabriela,” April said. “We hosted her through a three-week Kidsave  program and later, through Holt International, we went to Colombia to adopt her.”

The process wasn’t without its challenges. From navigating endless paperwork to spending 35 days in Colombia for the adoption finalization, the Namios faced obstacles with determination. “The paperwork was overwhelming,” Steve said. “Even in Colombia, it was just non-stop appointments and documents. But ultimately, in the end, it’s worth it.”

April adds that the financial aspect was also daunting. “It’s more than people realize — legal paperwork, court fees, hotel stays, food. And when you’re self-employed, like us, you don’t have the option of taking paid leave.”

Through it all, Steve and April leaned on the support of their Footprints Floors family. “Footprints has been awesome through this whole process,” Steve said. “They’ve been so open and excited for us, helping us along the way. I was gone for over a month, which was scary because no money was coming in, but we made it work.”

Despite the logistical and financial hurdles, the Namios’ joy at bringing Gabriela home overshadowed the difficulties. “We finally met her again on October 2,” April said. “We’d done a few video calls leading up to that moment, and it was so exciting to see her in person. She’s been home with us for just a few weeks now, but it already feels like she’s been part of our family forever.”

Gabriela has quickly embraced her new life. She started school two weeks ago, joined the basketball team and is picking up English at an impressive pace. “She’s very smart,” April said. “She’s excited about school and learning, and we’re lucky that she’s so enthusiastic.”

The adoption has brought more than just happiness — it’s given Steve and April a renewed sense of purpose. “Our regular lives feel more fulfilled,” April said. Steve echoed her sentiment, noting how having Gabriela adds structure to their busy lives as business owners. “It’s nice to have something else to look forward to, like getting her to school or having breakfast together,” he said.

For anyone considering adoption, the Namios recommend exploring various avenues to find the right fit. “These kids need families and love,” April said. “There are so many ways to adopt — through foster care, private agencies, domestic or international programs. It’s an amazing experience, but it takes patience and perseverance.”

Looking ahead, the Namios are excited to share Gabriela’s first holiday season in Wisconsin with family and friends. “It feels like everything happened at the right time,” April said. “She’s our child — it just took a while for everything to fall into place.”

The Namios’ story is a poignant reminder of the beauty and challenges of adoption, and they hope it will inspire others to consider opening their hearts and homes to a child in need. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it,” Steve said. “Gabriela left behind her friends, her language, her country — that’s not easy. But she chose this, and you can see how much she wants to be here. It’s amazing to watch her adjust and thrive.”

Built on the tenets of faith, family and service, Footprints Floors has always been dedicated to giving back through its nonprofit arm, the First Fruits Fund. Learn more about it here.