When two couples — Candida Tavarez and Carlos Aquino, and Chelsea Guevremont and Mario Rosario Jr. — decided to become Boys Town New England foster parents several years ago, they had no way of knowing that three siblings would one day bring them together as families and friends.

The story of how the siblings — twins Bryan and Aryanne, and their younger sister Shayna —began when both couples were contacted by Boys Town New England’s Foster Family Services ^® program about accepting the children with the intent of keeping them together. But when it became clear that an arrangement with all three children in one home wouldn’t work, they decided to do the next best thing: Bryan and Aryanne were placed with Candida and Carlos, and Shayna went to live with Chelsea and Mario.

The couples resolved to do whatever it took to help the children heal and overcome the trauma they had experienced. Part of that commitment included preserving the bond between the siblings. So, the families got together often for parties, playdates and sleepovers. As the relationships among the children grew stronger, so did the relationship between the two couples. Candida and Carlos and Chelsea and Mario continually supported each other and collaborated to help the children heal and thrive.

When it was determined that the children would not be able to return to their own parents, both couples took the next big step for “their” kids: Candida and Carlos adopted Bryan and Aryanne, and Chelsea and Mario adopted Shayna.

Today, all three children are doing well, both socially and in school. Bryan and Aryanne enjoy playing on the same t-ball team, while Shayna and Aryanne have taken a dance class together. The children and their parents also continue to have their family parties, playdates and sleepovers together.

They may be two separate families, but they are forever joined by a single inseparable bond.