BELLA VISTA, Ark. (KNWA) - A couple's wish of adopting a child they fostered for nearly a year came to a devastating halt.
The 16 year old died in a drowning accident during a family day out. But Tuesday, they prepared to honor the teen in the same way they always intended to - adoption.
Basketball for the Bosh's is more than a sport because it reminds the family when a new member was ready to join the team.
After 16-year-old Raymond spent almost a decade in foster care, Melissa and Steve Bosh of Bella Vista stumbled across their missing piece.
"He chose to beat those statistics," Melissa Bosh said. "That's why we fell in love with him."
But on Raymond's first Mother's Day, a fun Sunday turned deadly when he drowned in Beaver Lake.
"I'll never forget the last thing he said to me," Melissa Bosh said. "He said love you and I said 'I love you too, Raymond' and he said 'No it's luv u like luv because the other way takes too long' and he went into the water."
That love reflected with one last trip to DHS where the couple's journey of adopting Raymond was finally sealed.
"It didn't change anything by officially adding the name," Melissa Bosh said. "It just finally made it official."
A day the Bosh's had been waiting for since they met Raymond.
"He squeezed more into six months than I have seen other kids do in 16 years," Steve Bosh said. "A true pleasure to watch."
His spirit continues to live on at Ray's court.
"That's why today is so bittersweet," Steve Bosh said. "We were just a father and a son playing basketball. I'm Raymond's dad officially today and I want to celebrate that with my son. That's what is hard for me right now."
