And even though some of the internet is shocked by their news, some Stranger Things fans are just impatiently waiting for the next season to drop…
While others are on the same page as me — making me question my life’s trajectory and wonder if I should start thinking more seriously about starting a family. Because, like Finn, this is how I’ve been spending my weekends lately:
We’re so happy for Millie and Jake. Adoption is such a powerful, generous choice, so let’s take a look at some other celebs who’ve made the beautiful decision to adopt.
1.
The iconic and hard-working Nicole Kidman and her ex-husband, Tom Cruise, adopted Isabella Jane and Connor Anthony in 1992 and 1995. Years later, Nicole went on to have two daughters — Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret — with her husband of nearly two decades, Keith Urban.
She’s since opened up about her fertility struggles in Marie Claire Australia, and shared just how much she loves being a mom: “I would’ve loved 10 kids,” she said. “I love mothering, I love kids: They’re quirky, funny, and unfiltered. And then you get to see them grow and send them on their way.” Honestly, having Nicole Kidman as your mom would be such a flex.
2.
The Wolverine star, Hugh Jackman, and his ex-wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, adopted their two children — Oscar Maximilian and Ava Eliot — in 2000 and 2003.
After sharing their struggles to conceive naturally, Hugh told the Herald Sun, “Deb and I are believers in … I suppose you could call it destiny. We feel things happened the way they are meant to. Obviously, biologically wasn’t the way we were meant to have children.” And man, did those kids win the lottery or what?
3.
Most of us probably know this one already, but while Lionel Richie was singing us smooth ballads, he also adopted Nicole Richie from family friends who were going through financial and relationship struggles. He first became Nicole’s legal guardian, and later formally adopted her when her biological parents’ situation worsened. Nicole, of course, went on to become one-half of the iconic The Simple Life duo alongside Paris Hilton.
In an interview with HuffPost, Lionel opened up about how much Nicole changed him: “I think you…changed my life a great deal in terms of softening my heart, because everything up to that point was about songwriting and the business and touring. All of a sudden, I found something that I could actually fall in love with that was never going to leave me. How about that?” Wow, I have tears in my eyes.
4.
With six kids, Angelina Jolie is clearly someone who felt called to be a mom. She adopted Maddox Chivan and Zahara Marley as a solo parent in 2002 and 2005, and Brad Pitt later adopted both after the two got together. After welcoming their biological daughter, Shiloh Nouvel, they adopted Pax Thien in 2007, followed shortly after by the birth of twins Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline.
In an interview with Vogue, Angelina reflected on how deeply motherhood changed her: “I was 26 when I became a mother,” she said. “My entire life changed. Having children saved me — and taught me to be in this world differently. I think, recently, I would’ve gone under in a much darker way had I not wanted to live for them.” That is the talk of a woman who is meant to be a mother.
5.
The Mad Max: Fury Road star, Charlize Theron, adopted her two children — Jackson and August — through the United States foster system in 2012 and 2015 as a solo parent. And honestly, what a cool mom to have.
6.
Our favourite Miss Congeniality, Sandra Bullock, surprised fans when she adopted two children as a solo parent in her late 40s — her son, Louis, in 2010, and her daughter, Laila, in 2015. Reflecting on the journey, she told Red Table Talk, “I don’t know why that was the only route, but I’m so glad the universe had me wait.”
7.
How to Get Away With Murder star Viola Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, adopted their daughter, Genesis, in 2011. She revealed the news on the red carpet at the premiere of The Help — which is honestly a pretty iconic way to share such exciting news.
8.
And lastly: Steven Spielberg — legendary director and screenwriter — is a proud adoptive dad of two, stepdad to one, and biological father to four. Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw adopted Theo and Mikaela in the ’90s, adding to their big blended family.
He once reflected on being protective of the child actors on the set of E.T., telling Vanity Fair, “It was the first time that it occurred to me that maybe I could be a dad. And maybe, in a way, a director is a dad or a mom.” And honestly, even as 1 of 7, being a Spielberg pretty much makes you 1 of 1 in the rest of the world.
Who knew adoption was this star-studded? And seriously — what do you think about Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi becoming parents? Tell us in the comments. I know Millie is young, but for some reason, it feels right to me. She seems like a natural caretaker.
