Leah's Heartfelt Wish: Will Stepmom Kristina Officially Adopt Her?

Sometimes you actually can choose your family.

Indeed, Leah Shirley, a child from the series “Teen Mom,” is optimistic that this situation will turn out as desired. This hope arises as the 16-year-old girl, who is Amber Portwood’s daughter, considers the legal process where stepmother Kristina Shirley would officially adopt her.

In simple terms, the teenager from Indiana expressed that they wish to be legally adopted as they have grown up with Kristina and feel it’s important for their relationship to be officially recognized. To them, it’s not just about a document, but a significant step in their bond.

But the high schooler also knows that it’d require more than just filling out some forms.

Following a meeting with an attorney after ending his three-year engagement to Amber in 2011, Gary Shirley shared that the process for resolving their matters might take a considerable amount of time and effort.

He told his daughter on the MTV show that if everything progressed as planned, once forms were submitted and necessary documents signed, approximately three months would pass. However, if Amber chose to contest the matter, it might stretch out for about a year, or even longer.

Which means they could be signing up for a brutal battle.

Leah, a resident with Gary, Kristina, and their 9-year-old daughter Emilee, shared her thoughts: “If we attempt something or take action, she might react by complicating things, which could extend the process for up to two years. At that stage, it would be too late and not worth the effort. I’m undecided; I need to ponder over it.

One of the things the teen is thinking about is how her mother, who doesn’t have custody of her or her 6-year-old son James with her former fiancé Andrew Glennon, might respond to the legal action that’s being considered.

Leah shared with the cameras that she truly desires to carry out the action, but she’s worried it might upset Amber. She expressed her dislike for causing harm to others.

So, her father proposed they talk about the matter with her therapist, and he said something like, “Let’s find out what might emotionally work best for you.” Gary explained this to Leah, “I understand that your mom cares deeply for you, but she seems to struggle expressing it. However, please remember that we’re here to support you and stand by your side, no matter what – as they say, I’m your ‘ride or die’.

According to Gary, though, Amber has been more of an infrequent passenger.

In his conversation with attorney Trina Saunders, Gary stated that Amber appears to have minimal involvement. He explained that over the last year, he has only spent four days with his daughter.

As a fervent admirer, I firmly believe that the legal hurdles Amber might present in an adoption scenario are challenges worth fighting over. If successful, I would be overjoyed to see myself recognized as Kristina Leah’s mother, officially etching my name on her birth certificate.

Speaking from personal experience, I feel compelled to ensure that my loved one, Leah, is taken care of should any unforeseen circumstances befall me. It’s not about Amber necessarily filling that role, but rather, I want to guarantee her safety and well-being.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: Although Leah and Amber’s relationship has been turbulent lately, my connection with Kristina remains unbreakable, irrespective of what the official records may indicate.

In the episode, Kristina stated, “Leah is considering her choices, discussing them with her counselor, and deciding which path she prefers.” Kristina added, “Whatever choice she makes won’t alter how I feel about her. My love for her remains unchanged.

As a lifestyle aficionado, I can confirm that it’s not just her; many stars from the Teen Mom franchise have discovered their perfect matches and lived to tell the tale of their blissful unions. If you’re curious to know more about these heartwarming stories, don’t hesitate to explore the tales of happiness that some of our beloved Teen Mom standouts have experienced.

In 2009, viewers witnessed Catelynn Lowell and her partner Tyler Baltierra face a tough decision: to give their first child, Carly, up for adoption, on the premiere season of “16 and Pregnant”. After being together for 13 years, this beloved couple tied the knot in August 2015. Since then, they’ve added three more daughters to their family: Novalee, Vaeda, and Rya.

Despite Carly’s absence from their home, Brandon and Teresa Davis continue to strive for a promising future.

In an interview with TopMob News in January 2025, Catelynn expressed that their bond is whatever their biological sibling desires: “It could be a relationship with the biological siblings, or with us, whichever she prefers. If it’s about having a connection with us, fantastic. If not, we get it. Whatever form it takes for her, as long as it’s focused on the adoptee’s needs.

In just under half a year, Maci Bookout faced challenges with an unreliable Ryan Edwards during their appearance on ’16 and Pregnant’. Despite getting engaged, this high school sweetheart duo parted ways less than a year after the birth of their son Bentley in 2008.

Currently, they are working towards establishing a shared parenting partnership. According to Maci, she shared with TopMob News in 2023, Ryan has been present more frequently than ever before, which she described as “consistently showing up now, perhaps even more so than in the past.

In 2012, Maci discovered her lifelong partner in Taylor McKinney from Texas, and they started expanding their team shortly after. They became parents to daughter Jayde in May 2015 and son Maverick the following year. They tied the knot in Florida in October of the same year.

2023 interview with TopMob News, she expressed, “My partner and I share responsibilities as parents, life partners, and co-owners of our TTM Lifestyle brand. To put it simply, he’s my soulmate. Despite the challenging times we’ve faced together, I find myself still drawn to him. There are moments when I feel like I want to express my frustration by playfully suggesting a boxing match, but I prefer arguing with him or going through rough patches together rather than not having any difficulties with anyone else.

Regardless of having new romantic partners, the MTV celebrities, who bonded during The Challenge, still jointly raise their child named Ryder.

From the very start of Cory being involved with Ryder, Cheyenne emphasized that he wanted to be a dedicated, committed father and parent, not just someone who was present for special moments or posted about parenthood on social media. Instead, he had to fully embrace the role. I made sure he understood my mindset, which he respected, and that’s why our co-parenting works so well. Cheyenne shared this perspective with TopMob News in March 2020.

Following the conclusion of their romance in 2018, they chose to rekindle their relationship. Cheyenne announced on Instagram during her 28th birthday celebration that she was reunited with Zach. In May 2021, they were blessed with their first child, a son named Ace, and tied the knot in September 2022.

In an interview with TopMob News in 2024, Cheyenne shared that they’ve been crossing items off their bucket list for the past two years. Specifically, they achieved three major milestones: having a baby (Ace), getting married, and purchasing a home.

Now, she explained further, “I have no desire for action or setting a target. Instead, I yearn for tranquility, to simply sit. My aspiration is to remain still and find contentment with our current situation. All I wish for is to appreciate each other more. That’s all I crave, nothing more.

Establishing a bond during filming for ‘Ex on the Beach’ might not initially seem like the foundation of a love story, but fast forward several years and two beautiful daughters named Mila and Maya, Cory and Taylor Selfridge from ‘Are You the One?’ continue to create ripples.

In 2023, he confided in TopMob News that they had recently purchased a house. He also acknowledged the curiosity about their wedding plans, stating, “There have been discussions about it. We haven’t picked out the ring yet and I plan on proposing soon. Taylor has always deserved this moment, and it’s something we both want. For now, we’re focusing on the steps leading up to that special day.

Ryan entered rehab shortly following his marriage to Mackenzie Standifer in May 2017, and their first child, Jagger, was born in 2018 while Ryan was still receiving treatment.

Initially, the couple was thrilled to have daughter Stella join them in January 2020, but three years down the line, Mackenzie filed for divorce. Now, Ryan is betrothed to Amanda Conner, who is pregnant with their first child.

Despite their highly controversial relationship ending permanently in 2013, the pair have successfully coparented their now adolescent daughter, Leah, for several years.

In an interview with TopMob News in January 2022, Amber shared that although they enjoy each other’s company from afar, their bond is strong. She went on to say, “Our relationship has evolved into something more like a family. We prioritize it above all else.

It’s true that families can have disagreements at times. However, it appears from Amber’s recent social media posts that she and Gary may not be getting along as well post-relationship.

After spending several years as a couple, Amber and Matt Baier (who is originally from Boston), ended their engagement in 2017, following a proposal and an attempt on ‘Marriage Boot Camp’ that didn’t work out.

On Dr. Drew Pinsky’s podcast, Amber admitted that at some point, she stopped taking in what was being said and began to lose interest in the relationship. She believes this is what happened between her and him. To protect herself from further pain, she erected a barrier around her emotions.

On the set of “Marriage Boot Camp,” Amber developed feelings for crew member Andrew Glennon. They publicly confirmed their relationship at the 2017 MTV Movie Awards, and in May 2018, they welcomed their first child, James, into their family.

However, the pair went their separate ways following Amber’s arrest for domestic battery in July 2019. After a challenging legal dispute, California-born Andrew eventually gained full legal and primary physical custody of their child in 2022.

The reality TV personality shared with TopMob News that they’ve put in a lot of effort to grow personally and strengthen their bond with their kids. They emphasized that while they’ve been open about their past struggles with substance abuse and mental health issues, everyone deserves an opportunity for self-improvement and should not be defined solely by their past troubles.

With unwavering resilience, she declared, “Even if your path hasn’t been smooth, but you’ve strived tirelessly to grow into a better, stronger, and compassionate individual today, let’s continue our journey together. Know that I too will never cease my struggle, for my children who mean the world to me.

Following an online encounter with Amber, Dimitri Garcia first appeared on ‘Teen Mom OG’ in April 2020. On the program, Amber mentioned, “Dimitri is from Belgium, he’s 39, which makes him 10 years older than me, but he’s a very attractive man.” She added, “I started becoming more open with him and we decided it would be wise to meet since we both liked each other.

Back in April 2021, Amber publicly disclosed on the special reunion of Teen Mom OG that she was still romantically involved with Dimitri. She clarified their relationship, saying, “We’ve been acquainted for about 18 months now, but I haven’t had a chance to see him in a year.” Although they never made an official announcement about breaking up, Amber later presented her new love interest, Gary Wayt, during the June 2024 episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter.

After connecting with Gary 2.0 through a dating app in autumn 2023, he popped up on the screen as Amber presented him to her fellow ‘Teen Mom’ friends during a video call.

Even though they got engaged in May 2024, their relationship didn’t last long. During his visit to North Carolina in June for Amber’s brother’s wedding, Gary left after an argument, causing Amber to file a missing person’s report.

And while Gary was soon located, the duo’s engagment wasn’t the only thing left broken.

On “Teen Mom: The Next Chapter,” Amber expressed, “For three to four days, I was convinced my fiancé had passed away. I had to face the reality of grieving and struggling to comprehend why someone would do this to me. Currently, I’m going through a tough time.

She went on to say, “This man shattered me. I was strong and secure. For the first time in years, I feel unbalanced because a man proposed to me.

Several months passed following the birth of their daughter Emilee in April 2015, and then Gary and Kristina Anderson tied the knot in a charming beach wedding ceremony.

In his 2022 Instagram post, Gary expressed that you have one of the kindest and loveliest spirits he’s encountered. He also mentioned that he doesn’t know how he could manage without your presence.

Two months before the birth of Sophia, Farrah Abraham’s father tragically passed away in an accident that took place in December 2008.

Farrah had a long-term, on-again-off-again romance with Simon Saran, a real estate agent, marking her first significant relationship since the passing of her boyfriend from high school, which lasted more than two years.

Despite their 2017 breakup becoming quite contentious, they made an effort, albeit somewhat falteringly, to maintain a friendship.

In an interview with TopMob News, Simon made it clear that he holds no grudges against Farrah. He explained that they come from different backgrounds, with Farrah preferring a more artificial lifestyle, while he seeks authenticity. Despite their differences, he expressed his hope for her continued success in all her future endeavors.

Jenelle Evans and Andrew Lewis, parents of their teenage son Jace, separated shortly after his birth in 2009. Regrettably, Jenelle had little to no role in her son’s life following his birth.

Jenelle mused during a 2019 episode of ‘Teen Mom 2’, “I do feel regretful because that’s Jace’s father. However, I know his character, and I don’t wish for him to let down my son. I don’t want him to reappear and then disappear again.

Following a one-year marriage with Courtland Rogers and giving birth to her second child, Kaiser, with former partner Nathan Griffin in 2014, Jenelle later wed David Eason on their North Carolina property in September 2017, eight months after they had welcomed their daughter, Ensley.

Following a difficult period, David was accused of a minor child abuse offense concerning Jace. Jenelle described this as an organized attempt to tarnish his reputation. Later, she disclosed that they had parted ways. She stated on social media that she would have opted for divorce immediately, but due to the laws in North Carolina, one must be legally separated for a year before filing, and it’s necessary to prove you reside at different addresses.

Recall the man who once asked his girlfriend, Chelsea Houska, about when he could officially take responsibility for what turned out to be a mistake?

Completely in the rearview.

Despite the unexpected turn of events, the former Teen Mom star and current HGTV personality maintains a surprisingly harmonious bond with her high school sweetheart, Adam Lind, who is Aubree’s father. “There’s no negative energy and it’s just an open relationship,” she shared with Us Weekly. “There’s no lingering resentment. We occasionally catch up, and everything is perfectly fine.

In 2014, a chance encounter at a gas station marked the start of something beautiful between Chelsea and Cole DeBoer. They officially became husband and wife in October 2016. Since then, they’ve added three adorable additions to their family – Watson in 2017, Layne in 2018, and Walker in 2021. Recently, they embarked on a new joint venture, the HGTV series Down Home Fab.

Speaking with TopMob News, Chelsea expressed her intentions for their potential return to TV. She wanted the new project to be uplifting, enjoyable, and allow them to be genuine. In her words, “It felt like such a fantastic chance to express ourselves in this way.” She emphasized that this opportunity was particularly appealing to her.

Initially, while they were still high school students, Leah Messer and Corey Simms aspired to transform their friendship into a lifelong union. However, just six months following their October 2010 wedding, the parents of teenage twins Aleeah and Aliannah opted for divorce.

Corey has been married to Miranda Patterson since 2013.

In the year 2012, Leah tied the knot with Jeremy Calvert. The following year, they were blessed with a daughter named Adalynn.

Despite parting ways in 2015, they’ve striven diligently to coparent their daughter, with outcomes that can be somewhat varied at times. Leah expressed her sentiments to TopMob News, saying, “I see the best version of myself reflected back at me. Witnessing what they adore and cherish in life, and being there for them is nothing short of magical. I revel in it. I love being a mother, particularly a mother to girls.

By 2021, when Leah made their relationship Instagram official with Jaylan Mobley, he had already won over not only Leah but also her children, having charmed them all within the U.S. Army.

The couple announced their engagement in August 2022, but broke up that October.

Reflecting on the past, I can now admit that ending my relationship was necessary for my personal growth. A year has passed since that difficult decision, and I’ve gained invaluable insights from the experience. Looking ahead, I feel as if a brand new chapter in my life is about to unfold, filled with lessons learned and opportunities yet undiscovered.

Kailyn Lowry had her first child, Isaac, with her high school sweetheart Jo Rivera when she was only seventeen years old in the year 2010.

Although they separated a year ago, they have now established a harmonious co-parenting relationship. Interestingly, Kailyn hosts her discontinued podcast, “Baby Mamas No Drama,” together with Jo’s wife, Vee Torres. Reflecting on their past, Kailyn wrote on social media after attending Jo and Vee’s 2018 wedding, “We’ve made significant strides since we were 18. I couldn’t wish for a better stepmother for Isaac.

Kailyn’s second child, Lincoln, became part of the team in November 2013, approximately one year following her wedding to his father, Javi Marroquin, who was then popular on Teen Mom 2.

Since the separation in late 2016, Javi and his fiancée Lauren Comeau, who are already parents to their son Eli, announced in December 2023 that they were having another child together, this time a daughter.

Kailyn had boys named Lux and Creed with her partner Chris Lopez while they were in an off-again, on-again relationship, but ultimately decided to end their relationship permanently.

In 2020, she shared with TopMob News that there is no communication between us at the moment. She expressed hope that things might improve over time, but she doesn’t have any grand plans or expectations. She doesn’t have anything negative to say; instead, she hopes for the best and wishes for our children that everything resolves itself in a way that works out for everyone involved.

In her current relationship with Elijah Scott, Kailyn experiences a solid base for the first time. As she explained to People, “Elijah is unlike any of my previous partners or my children’s fathers.” He is a diligent worker who labors physically on construction sites, yet he also cherishes family values deeply. Elijah maintains close ties with his own family as well as ours, making him an ideal partner for me. I believe our relationship is a good fit.

A strong enough one that she finally said yes to one of his many proposals, in fact.

Kailyn emphasized to TopMob News in September 2024 that her longtime neighbor and future spouse had proposed multiple times, yet she never explicitly declined. Instead, she explained, ‘I would respond with “Yes,” but not immediately.’

And while she admitted that the construction worker had certainly influenced her perspective on matrimony, she wasn’t necessarily planning a quick dash to the bridal shop. Kailyn humorously added, “The timeline for our wedding seems to fluctuate depending on which day you inquire about it.

Despite experiencing numerous highs and lows since the birth of their daughter Kloie in 2017, Indiana residents Jade Cline and Sean Austin hinted to followers in January 2022 that they were moving forward positively.

She shared with TopMob News that significant events occurred in our lives, along with substantial advancements in Sean’s life and future. I am incredibly proud of him and our current situation. Eight months subsequent to this conversation, they revealed their engagement, exchanging vows in October 2023.

In an interview with TopMob News in 2024, Jade admitted that her relationship isn’t flawless all the time. However, she emphasized that they share a strong bond of love and manage to navigate through their challenges together.

Ashley Jones, a native of California, and Bar Smith secretly tied the knot in the year 2021. This was four years following their joyous moment when they became parents to their precious daughter, Holly.

But after calling off their romance several times, Ashley officially filed for divorce in 2024.

A while after the birth of Nova, their daughter, in 2011 between “16 and Pregnant” star Briana DeJesus and Devoin Austin II, there were signs suggesting they contemplated rekindling their relationship.

Currently, Briana shared with TopMob News in 2024 her preference: “I’m seeking a genuine adult companion now, not the youthful partners I was accustomed to dating in my past.

Following her appearance on the sole season of ‘Teen Mom 3’, Briana became a part of ‘Teen Mom 2’ in its eighth series, and welcomed her second daughter, Stella, with ex-boyfriend Luis Miguel, on the 20th of July, 2017.

After that point, Luis’ participation has been minimal at most. In a December 2019 episode of Teen Mom 2, Briana shared with Dr. Drew, “I believe he desires a family with me, but since I’m not offering that to him, he prefers to distance himself entirely.

2025-03-14 04:21

Leah’s Heartfelt Wish: Will Stepmom Kristina Officially Adopt Her?

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