Couple’s Family Grows to 37 Kids in a Story Full of Love, Faith and Purpose

A couple’s family grows to 37 kids in a story full of love, faith and purpose. Some families count blessings by birthdays. Paul Briggs and Jeane Briggs of Falling Waters, Virginia, count them by the children who have walked through their front door. I can imagine what their home must be like, having five siblings, all married, and when we get together, there are more than 23 cousins running around. It’s loud, full of chaos, but it is filled with a bond that can never be broken. 

When the West Virginia couple married in 1976 after meeting at a summer conference for Methodist youth leaders, they dreamed of raising a family. They just never imagined that dream would grow into 37 children—32 adopted and five biological. 

Their Children Range in Age From 10 to 47 

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Today, their sons and daughters range in age from 10 to 47, and even after decades of parenting, Paul and Jeane still haven't completely closed the door on welcoming another child.

"There was never any talk of a megafamily," Paul said. "There was never this, 'Well, let's try to get to this number or that number.' It was really just a series of events that continued to bring more children in."

That sentence feels like a glimpse into the heart of God. Love doesn't always arrive with a carefully mapped-out plan. Sometimes it comes disguised as interruptions, unexpected phone calls, and children who simply need someone willing to say yes.

Couple Raises 37 Children Over Nearly 50 Years

Their adoption journey began years ago after raising their biological children and adopting their son, Abraham Briggs, from Mexico in 1985. Abraham, who had been abandoned and is legally blind, still lives at home. From there, one adoption became another, always guided by prayer rather than a number.

"The ones that we prayed about were the ones for us," Jeane said.

Today, 14 children still call the Briggs' 5,000-square-foot home. Life inside those walls isn't quiet—it couldn't be. Chores are shared, grocery shopping follows a carefully organized routine, and everyone pitches in. Some children set the table with napkins, while others help prepare meals or clean the kitchen afterward. Jeane, whose husband lovingly says her "love language" is food, keeps everyone fed with family favorites like spaghetti, grilled cheese, soup, and even breakfast for dinner.

"When you have that many people under one roof, if they don't have anything to do, they're going to find something to do," Paul said with a smile.

Adopted Son Shares How His Life Changed

For Joseph Briggs, who was adopted from a Ukrainian orphanage at 15 alongside two siblings, life changed the moment he entered the Briggs family.

"Coming here to a loving family, to clean clothes, a nice bed, food on the table, the house, and just everything was amazing," Joseph said.

His favorite part of living at home? He laughs that his mother's holiday meals are "why I'm never going to move out."

Their generosity didn't stop with one generation. Their oldest daughter, Mary Kate Johnson, grew up watching new siblings join the family, and the experience shaped her future. Today, she and her husband are raising 14 children of their own, including four adopted from Ghana, just nine houses away from her parents.

Their Legacy of Adoption Inspires the Next Generation

Looking back, Mary Kate remembers that every new child was welcomed with joy. "It was a lot to adjust, but it was always very positive," she said. "So much so that I wanted to do it when I got older."

Even after watching her parents navigate the challenges of raising children with different backgrounds, medical needs, and life stories, her admiration has only grown.

"Through it all, I have only the utmost regard for my parents," Mary Kate said. "They have handled it very well... because of how they've lived and what they've seen and how they've handled every situation, it's truly remarkable."

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In a culture that often asks, "How much is enough?" the Briggs family has spent fifty years asking a different question: "Who still needs a home?"

Their story is a quiet reminder that family isn't built by matching DNA. And raising kids isn’t built into the mindset of merely sharing 18 summers. It's built one prayer, one open door, one shared meal, and one courageous "yes" at a time.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans... in their distress." James 1:27 

Couple’s Family Grows to 37 Kids in a Story Full of Love, Faith and Purpose 

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h/t: People

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Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.