The Surprising Moments of Unconditional Love — Connor's Story
Connor fishing with Immerse’s recreational therapy team.
Unconditional love is like a magnet. Wherever it moves, it pulls others in—often in unexpected ways. Just ask Amber and Eric Williams, and their son, Connor, who was adopted this year on Valentine’s Day.
Amber and Eric dreamed of a big family. Before they were even married, they talked about fostering and maybe adopting—but only after they’d had biological children. A few years into their marriage, they learned that this wouldn’t be possible. It was a turning point—not just in their marriage, but in their understanding of love.
In time, that love drew in Connor, a 16-year-old boy who had spent most of his life in foster care. Connor moved in after countless placements, many of which ended in disappointment or heartbreak. After only two months, Connor confided, “This is the longest I’ve ever been in a home before. I don’t know how many (foster) placements I had. Too many to count.”
Amber and Eric soon learned that unconditional love didn’t always mean smooth sailing. “It’s hard raising a teen who has been in foster care since he was two,” Amber admitted. “He just doesn’t have the social skills you’d get growing up in a family.”
Trouble came in waves. An incident landed Connor in juvenile detention in Fayetteville. When he was released, Amber and Eric were there to pick him up. They went out to breakfast with Connor and his caseworker. It was during that meal that Connor’s pain surfaced in a way Amber will never forget.
“I told my case worker I didn’t trust them,” Connor shared. “When she asked me why, I said, ‘Why would I trust someone who would let me back into their home?’”
“That broke my heart. It was weird to him that somebody would actually love him,” Amber said.
As they faced these challenges, Amber and Eric found themselves drawn to Immerse Arkansas. They saw Immerse as a community rooted in unconditional love, and it quickly became a lifeline for their family. “I think it’s a great program,” Amber said. “Just volunteering there has been incredible. They understand the trauma these kids have been through, but they love them regardless.” Immerse is a place where we can take a deep breath and know these people are going to love him no matter what.”
Immerse also provided Amber, Eric and Connor with a support system they didn’t know they needed. “LifeBASE Teen creates a community for people who truly understand what it’s like,” Amber explained. “You’re surrounded by people who won’t judge you for your feelings or emotions. They walk with you through it. One of the moms there works at Connor’s school, and we’ll text sometimes. She helps me feel like I’m not going crazy. The things that have happened with Connor have happened with her son too. I never would’ve met her if it wasn’t for Immerse.”
Their church, Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, also became a vital source of support. When Connor moved in, the congregation organized a meal train, gave gift cards, and offered companionship. “One couple has been especially helpful,” Amber said. “When Eric was out of town for work, they brought dinner and stayed with us. Connor adores them. The husband played video games with him, which gave me a much-needed break. It’s been such a blessing.”
Connor has also made some strong connections and is excelling at a new school. “I have met some friends through Immerse, and I enjoy spending time fishing and mountain biking with Jimmie (Duvall - recreational therapist at Immerse),” Connor said.
Love connected Eric and Amber to each other, then to Connor and an entire community of like-minded people who find each other through similar life circumstances. At Immerse Arkansas, Overcoming Starts Here…with unconditional love.