In 1979, Richard Hayes was heartbroken. His wife, Laura, had passed away, leaving a void in their home that seemed impossible to fill. But in her final moments, Laura made him promise something that would forever change the course of his life: “Promise me, you won’t let love die here. Pass it on.”

These words stayed with Richard as he navigated life alone. One fateful night, while driving through a rainy evening, Richard passed St. Catherine’s Orphanage. He noticed something that would stir his heart forever: a group of nine baby girls had been abandoned, left alone with no one to care for them. The staff spoke of separating them — but Richard, who had already lost so much, couldn’t bear the thought of breaking apart their bond. He took a deep breath and said, “I’ll take them all.”

People thought he was out of his mind. He had no idea what he was in for, but he was driven by love, the same love his late wife had inspired him to share. He sold everything he had, worked tirelessly at two jobs, and set up a home for these precious girls. Richard built nine cribs by hand, learned to braid hair, and sang lullabies. He embraced the responsibility of being both a father and a mother to his daughters, offering them a home filled with love and hope.

As the years went by, the girls — Grace, Nia, Lila, and their six other sisters — grew up in an environment where love was abundant, where they were never separated from one another, and where they felt truly cherished. Richard’s unwavering commitment gave each of them the foundation they needed to thrive.

Fast forward to 2025, and Richard is now surrounded by the nine incredible daughters he once promised to love and protect. His girls have become nurses, teachers, leaders, and advocates, each one leaving a mark on the world. Their bond as sisters remains unbreakable, and they carry the legacy of their father’s love with them in everything they do.

Today, Richard’s story is one of profound love, resilience, and the power of family. It’s a story of a man who, in the face of loss, found an extraordinary way to keep love alive — by opening his heart to nine little girls who needed him the most.

In the 46 years since that rainy night, Richard’s daughters have become living proof that love has no limits, no boundaries, and no end. They are the legacy of a promise kept, a legacy that will continue to inspire for generations to come.

This is more than just a story of adoption. It’s a testament to the power of love, sacrifice, and what can be built when you give a part of yourself to others. Richard Hayes and his nine daughters have created something that words can barely capture — a family bound not by blood, but by the unshakable foundation of love.