take (someone or something) into (one's) heart
To accept, love, and cherish someone or an animal. Everyone in this community took Margaret into their hearts the moment they met her. She will be sorely missed. I only intended to foster the dog for a couple of weeks, but I couldn't help taking it into my heart right away.
take someone (or an animal) into one's heart
Fig. to grow to love and trust someone or an animal; to receive a newcomer graciously and lovingly. He was such a cute little boy. We took him into our hearts immediately. We loved the puppy instantly and took her into our hearts at once.