Mom Adopts Best Friends Kids

Some Stories really touch you, this was one of them for me. This friendship has given me the chills. 

Elizabeth Diamond and Laura Ruffino are a true example of best friends forever. The women had been friends for 30 years when Diamond, a single mother of four, was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer. When she got the news she turned to her best friend and asked if she would take care of her daughters if she didn’t make it.

"She said if anything ever happens to me I want you to take my girls and I instantly said ok,” said Ruffino. Sadly, Elizabeth passed away in April, but Laura honored her promise and she and her husband, Rico – who have two daughters of their own – immediately adopted Elizabeth’s four girls, who range in age from 5 to 12.

Having six kids certainly isn’t easy on the Ruffinos, whose home is crowded and budget is considerable tighter, but their community of Orchard Park, New York, has rallied around the family, helping to raise money for their expenses. There is even an online fundraising campaign to assist the family. So far, more than $68,000 has been raised.