TAMPA, Fla. — It does not take very long for Precious to make a good impression.
"Honestly, I hardly remember life without her," said Tara Knouse.
For Tara, all it took for Precious to change her life forever was a few steps in the door of her consignment shop named Loft 181. The store is exclusively for girls in foster homes.
"I don't know, God just put her in my heart just wouldn't let that go," said Tara.
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Four years ago, Precious first came from her group home to shop at Loft. After that, Tara couldn’t wait to see her again.
On Christmas. Then New Years. In a very short time a family of eight, became a family of nine.
"Now she lives with us, now she's our family, and we are hers," said Tara.
This somehow turned out to be one of the strongest mother-daughter bonds you will ever see.
"Oh yeah, she's definitely my home girl," Precious Knouse said laughing. "We don't really argue!"
That includes what to watch on TV.
"I watch Vampire Diaries, Originals, sometimes I watch Ex on the Beach, but I don't tell them about it," said Precious.
Tara quickly confirmed that she knew all about her adopted daughter's favorite television shows.
Precious grew up without a mom. Her father had legal troubles. But that is now ancient history.
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With Precious, Tara achieved the goal she has for every young woman that comes in to receive these donated designer clothes.
"You know I felt more comfortable in my skin," said Precious.
"It helped us be better at serving more girls and what girls long for," Tara said.
Loft 181 is always looking for donations and to help teenage girls in foster homes. Click here to get in contact with them.
