Three years ago, a Michigan principal made a life-changing decision when he opened his home to a foster teen with nowhere to spend Christmas. What began as a temporary arrangement turned into a permanent family bond when the teen was legally adopted.

Jeremy Wright, 49, was serving as a principal in Plainwell, a quaint town just south of Grand Rapids, when he heard about Bridgett, a 15-year-old student who was about to be removed from her foster home.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Jeremy shared that Bridgett was facing the prospect of spending the holidays alone in an office building. Moved by her plight, he approached his wife, Jennifer, to see if they could offer her a temporary home.

Initially hesitant, Jennifer was concerned about bringing Bridgett into their household, especially since they already had two children and knew of Bridgett’s challenging background.

The Wrights told PEOPLE that Bridgett struggled with marijuana and alcohol use and had been expelled from her previous foster home due to theft, having stolen $300. Despite these challenges, the Wrights saw the potential for change and ultimately welcomed Bridgett into their family.

Bridgett had been removed from her biological mother’s home when she was only eight years old. 

Her biological mom had a drug addiction and was a sex worker. Bridgett and her brothers were separated and placed into the foster care system. 

She had lived with 20 different foster families before her initial two-week stay with the Wrights.

Jeremy Wright, 49, was working as a high school principal in Michigan when he decided to host a foster teen for Christmas 

Bridgett, 18, was struggling with addictions and mental health when she was kicked out of a foster home before Christmas 

Even though she was initially set to stay for two weeks, the Wrights decided to take her in and she was adopted in 2024 

Jennifer confessed that the first few days were difficult, as Bridgett continued to smoke, steal alcohol, and sneak out of their house. 

Bridgett then opened up about the sexual abuse she endured, and the family decided to get her help with her mental health. 

‘It was like how in all my years of teaching, 25 years of teaching, I’d never heard a story like that. It was just so horrible,’ Jeremy told People. 

The Wrights checked Bridgett into a hospital in Wisconsin and said she came back calm and focused. 

‘I knew that if we could get her to go and get some help and get on the right medicine and get on the right track, that we could help her,’ Jeremy said. 

Bridgett continued to live with the couple and their two children, Jacob, 18, and Kaylee, 21. 

She initially didn’t want to be adopted by the family, but eventually came around to being a Wright and was legally adopted in May 2024. 

Since she came into the Wrights’ care, Bridgett went from barely passing her classes to getting all As and Bs, and joined the cheer team. 

Jeremy and his wife, Jennifer, described Bridgett as a loving girl who completed their family 

Bridgett said in an interview with People that she’s been ‘living my princess life’ since she was adopted by the Wrights 

Bridgett told PEOPLE that it was difficult to describe the feeling of having a permanent family, but confessed that she’s ‘living my princess life.’ 

The couple said that it was a treat to watch Bridgett grow and that she completed their family. 

‘Bridgett is fun, she’s feisty, she’s just a sweet girl. She’s got a really big heart and is loving,’ Jennifer told the publication. 

Bridgett is a senior and will graduate from high school next year. Jeremy now serves as a superintendent.