An entire kindergarten class showed up in court to support a five-year-old boy during his legal adoption hearing.
Young Michael arrived at the courthouse in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Thursday, with a crowd of supporters.
His classmates waved big red hearts mounted on wooden sticks to show their support.
Judge Patricia Gardner said it was the first time she had ever hosted a whole kindergarten class for a hearing in the courtroom.
Michael's adoptive father said the children explained what the 5-year-old meant to them during the hearing.
Touching answers included "I love Michael" or "Michael is my best friend".
"My name is Lily and I love Michael," a little girl told the judge.
The boy's mother told CNN that her new son's teacher, Mrs McKee, suggested the idea to her one day when she dropped Michael off at Wealthy Elementary School.
As she knew the adoption would be finalised soon, the pair agreed on how to make the big day special for Michael.
"We began the school year as a family," Michael's teacher said.
"Family doesn't have to be DNA, because family is support and love."
As the adoption process was completed, the group of classmates, teachers and parents broke into cheers and applause.
A photo shared by Kent County on Facebook shows little Michael sitting next to his adoptive parents as his classmates and teachers witness the hearing.
Many social media users have reacted to the post.
"Huge props to the teacher, school and family for making this happen! So cool!" one person wrote.
Another Facebook user commented: "This is incredible! There is no shortage of love in this room, that’s for sure. Congrats to Michael, all of his friends, and his new family!"
The 5-year-old has been living with the couple, who have been married for nearly 10 years, as a foster child since last Thanksgiving.
"We didn't have any kids prior to that, and things got pretty chaotic in a hurry," his father said.
He added Michael loves to dance, swim, play basketball and soccer.
Filming outside the courtroom for a local television, Michael declared: "I love my daddy!"
