Popular singer, JJ Heller, known for her uplifting music and touching videos, leveraged the heart-rending adoption story of HGTV’s Dave and Jenny Marrs in her latest music video – “Love It Here”. Garnering over 54 million views on YouTube, Heller’s music is admired and streamed more than 15 million times a month.
Key Takeaways:
– Inspirational singer JJ Heller features HGTV’s Dave and Jenny Marrs in her latest music video, “Love It Here.”
– The Marrs family’s touching adoption story with their daughter Sylvie is highlighted in Heller’s powerful music video.
– Sylvie was finally welcomed into the Marrs family after years of struggle due to red tape.
– The Marrs family continues to have a strong bond with the woman who cared for Sylvie in her foster years.
Behind the Scenes of the Music Video
The couple, who are avid followers of Heller, gladly agreed to contribute personal footage to the project. In an Instagram post on January 5, 2024 – the official release date of the video – Jenny expressed her delight in their involvement, saying, “This video is a treasure for our family and I will forever cherish it.”
The song beautifully captures the Marrs couple’s intense struggle and ultimate triumph in their attempt to adopt their daughter, Sylvie, after three long years. As per sources from People Magazine, Sylvie’s journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2013 was no smooth sailing due to administrative tardiness.
Emotional Reaction to “Love It Here”
Describing her initial reaction to the song, Jenny Marrs shared on Instagram how she was overwhelmed with emotions, even as she was in the middle of filming for “Fixer to Fabulous.” The lyrics managed to encapsulate the despair, the hope, and the joy that radiated their prolonged journey to bring Sylvie into their family.
Marriage to Motherhood: The Adoption Journey
Dave and Jenny decided to adopt when they initially faced difficulties starting their family. However, the birth of their twin sons, Nathan and Ben, delayed their plans. When the twins turned 18 months, the couple rekindled their wish to adopt and Sylvie caught their hearts while she was living in an orphanage.
After Sylvie’s adoption had been finally formalized and she was issued a U.S. passport, the country suspended the departure of adopted children. Consequently, Sylvie was unable to secure her exit permit.
The Solution to Sylvie’s Prolonged Wait
The Marrs, desperate to bring Sylvie home, contacted anyone they thought could help. After 602 days of wait, five trips to the Congo by Dave, and Sylvie’s unexpected breathing irregularity, the couple finally managed to bring her home. The emotional moment of their reunion was captured on camera and included in the music video as per Heller’s request.
Appreciating the Marrs’ contribution, Heller acknowledged the complexities of an adoption journey and expressed hope that her song would resonate with every parent looking to adopt a child.
Sylvie’s Adoption: Miracle Amidst Challenges
During their wait for Sylvie, Jenny had another child, Charlotte. Although the pregnancy was a sweet surprise, the joy was tainted by the lingering uncertainty about Sylvie. However, eight weeks after Charlotte’s birth, an exception was made by authorities due to Sylvie’s health condition, which was termed “medically fragile”.
Dave, describing the final homecoming as a “100% miracle”, said they had almost lost hope of ever bringing Sylvie home due to the country’s stringent adoption rules.
Despite becoming a family of seven with their youngest son, Luke, the Marrs family still keeps in touch with Sylvie’s foster mom, Laure, in Congo. Reflecting the bond, Jenny shared, “We still have that community there that’s tied to our family in a way that’s really important. Laure and I are, when you break it down, the same. We both loved that little girl.”
Their journey is a testament to love’s resilience and the epitome of an enchanting miracle.
Source: Heavy