Melissa Irons was just 21 years old when she became a guardian of 2 young boys. But the way it came about was all-at-once sad and uplifting.
Irons’ two children happen to be her brothers.
A tough childhood
After a childhood spent in and out of foster care because of her mother’s drug problems, Melissa enlisted in the Marines as soon as she was old enough because she wanted the structure and discipline she never got as a kid.
Meanwhile, younger brothers Christian and JJ remained in foster care. In fact, the 3 didn’t grow up together because they were always split into different homes in part due to their age differences.
In 2014, the boys were living in a foster home and Irons’ mother had tested positive for methamphetamines.
Knowing her brothers would end up in foster care even longer, she decided to step in, despite the professional responsibilities she had as a U.S. Marine. She traveled to Alabama where her family was living in order to try to get legal custody of the boys, something her mother didn’t like.
A program called Prank It FWD decided to follow Melissa on her journey to fight for her brothers – but it turned out they had some surprises in store for her as well.
Melissa knew her age could work against her, as could her financial situation. But she decided to plead her case in front of the court anyway since she knew the boys would rather live with her.
Two friends accompanied her on her 2,000-mile journey.
Greg Benson from Prank It FWD intercepted the women before their trip and gifted them a new cell phone (they only had one working phone between the three of them) as well as bags full of goodies from Trader Joe’s.
But then Benson pulled out an even bigger surprise – a $500 pre-paid card to help with gas expenses.
The biggest surprise (at least before the trip began) was a note Benson handed over to Irons from her landlord. It said he had received the last rent payment she had missed. Prank It FWD had covered the debt so Melissa could start off on the right foot in the event she brought her brothers home with her.
After a 3-day road trip, Melissa went to court and won custody of her brothers.
Then the film crew followed her to their school so she could surprise them with the news. It turns out she hadn’t seen them in 6 years!
It’s no surprise that the two reunions were full of tears of joy.
