After 12 Years, Young Adult Twins Ask Stepmom To Officially Adopt Them In Heartwarming Video

May 17, 2023

For quite some time, the notion of having stepmothers have been distorted in the media. With stories like “Cinderella” and other real-life encounters, the idea of having a stepmother can pack a negative connotation for many people. 

But contrary to popular belief, stepmothers are like any other mother in general. They can be caring, compassionate, understanding, and by far patient, as they have to also take into consideration not stepping in too much, as that would erase the responsibility of the original birth mother. 

This was the case of a stepmother and her stepdaughters in New Jersey that went viral on social media after capturing the hearts of many people. A TikTok video posted by Gabriella Ruvalo in 2022 showed her and her twin sister, Julianna Ruvalo, beside their then-stepmother, Becky Ruvalo. 

“After 12 years… we finally asked our step-mom to adopt us,” the video caption read. As the song “Yellow” by Coldplay began to play in the background, Becky was seen reading a photobook given by the twins and flipped to the last page.. After reading the page, she asked Julianna, “Really?” to which Julianna nodded in response. 

This prompted Becky to drop the book and hide her face in her palms to cry. Teary-eyed and wiping their faces, Julianna asked if it was a yes. She and her twin sister Gabriella then hugged and joined Becky, but moments later, they got up with Becky, who wiped away her tears and said, “Of course, I will” and “I’d be honored” shortly after.

The video has since trended and been viewed more than seven million times on the platform. With many moved to tears by the heartfelt encounter, Becky and the twins detailed their journey in an interview with "Good Morning America." 

The candid moment was a sure-fire tear-jerker. Not only were the comments full of similar adoption anecdotes, but it was also a reminder that not all stepmothers are evil. Speaking to "Good Morning America," Becky described the moment as “touching.” 

“We figure what’s the best time to ask the biggest question that we will probably ask and why not make it on Mother’s day?” Julianna, one of the twins, told the outlet. 

In the video, it showed that since the twins were young, Becky has been there for them with photos showing how close they are. 

“The way the situation is I know we have a lot of questions about birth mom, and she’s just not a part of their life. She hasn’t been for quite some time,” Becky explained. Turns out, she has been dating their father, Pete, since 2010. 

According to Pete, Becky meeting the girls was “way more important” for him because if they did not get along, he wouldn’t know what to do. Thankfully they clicked. 

Gabriella even described Becky to be the “missing piece” of them. “Her, right there, it was perfect,” she added. 

Pete even added that the twins voluntarily called Becky “mom” despite her initial hesitations because she didn’t want the kids to feel “forced” to.

“We were already calling her mom because it felt so natural," Gabriella told the outlet. "We met as friends and then she became mom and it was just, from the start, it was like love at first sight." 

In an extended clip of the encounter, the girls handed out the adoption papers immediately, asking Becky to sign, which she gladly accepted. 

“I just couldn’t believe it and it was the best gift I ever could have received and it just means the world to me,” Becky remarked. 

Finally, the big day came to make things official between Becky and the twins. In July 2023, the family shared a video of Becky and the twins in a courtroom finalizing the adoption. Becky was seated at one table while the twins were seated at another table beside hers. Off-camera, the judge could be heard sharing a few touching words concerning their case as Becky wiped away tears.

“The room is really swelling with an example of what a family should be,” the judge began. “So I feel honored to have shared this very special day. And please, everyone stay well and come back and see us sometime. Best of luck to you (all).”

The room then burst into applause. Becky stood up from her seat and with her arms wide open to receive her daughters. All three women hugged each other tightly as one of them was heard saying, “Yay, it’s official!”

The clip ended with a stunning photo of the trio smiling from ear to ear.

Becky later told “Good Morning America” that it “was a wonderful day,” and that “Judge Ellen Torregrossa-O'Connor was so very nice and the process was beautiful.” She added that the family were “all very happy it's official & done.” 

After so many years of feeling like Becky was their mom, it must have come as a welcome relief and moment of pure joy to finally see it recognized in black and white in the eyes of the law and the world. Becky continued:

“It's hard to put into words the feeling I had last night of peace and calmness, was so nice.”

Wasn’t the whole encounter beautiful? Do you have a similar adoption story, or maybe from someone you know? What can you say about Becky? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other loved ones!