tw: foster care, negligence, drunkenness (wow, a lot of drama!)
Eliana “Ella” May Kale nee Rianson-Pine (23) is the wife of one of Trinity’s older cousins. She and Trinity bonded when Ella and her then-boyfriend were dating, so Ella made Trinity one of her bridesmaids. Ella and her husband were married when they both were 20, and already have one child, an 11-month-old baby girl. They are all excited about the expected baby, another daughter.
Ella grew up in the foster care system. She has eight biological siblings, and the nine of them have the same mother but four different fathers, and all of them were a result of their parents being drunk. Until the foster system took them when she was seven, Ella was primarily raised by her older half siblings, especially her oldest brother, James, who was eight years older than her. Their mother was never home – not that they could really call the tiny trailer home.
James worked hard to keep all nine of them together, even when they were in foster care. He would even try to pick fights with the social workers and anyone who tried to explain that very few families were willing to foster nine children. Eventually, though, Ella and her ten-month-older brother were separated from the rest of their siblings and went to eleven different homes together until they were finally adopted by the James family when Ella was fifteen. She nearly cried when she learned their last name – and she hoped with all her heart that this would be the family. And they were! After eight years in the system, they were so relieved to finally have a forever family who loved them and treated them as if they were the most special thing in the world. Their new father was like the perfect dad that Ella’s friends all had – gentle but still teasing. Their mom was sassy and sweet and always makes sure they were cared for. Even now that they’re out of the house, they are so close with their parents
Ella and her brother have no idea what happened to six of their other siblings. They are constantly on the search for them, but thus far, they have only found their younger sister, who is now eighteen and lives with her boyfriend 600 miles away.
Ella’s dream was always to have a wonderful, loving family of her own, and to be married and love her children and husband with all her heart. Thus far, it is coming true.