BraveLove

Gail's Story - Part 5 of 5: "On August 23, 2023, I received an email from 23andMe saying I had a message from a relative. When I logged in and saw the match, time seemed to stop. There he was—my son. After almost 40 years, I was seeing him for the first time.

My heart raced, and I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I think I did both. This was a day that I thought would never happen.

I sat with the news to myself for a full day before sharing it with my husband, who was overjoyed for me.

I sent Joshua (now named Matt) an email stating that if his birthday was 1/11 and he was born in Winfield, IL, that I *might* be his birth mother. I didn’t want to appear overzealous. Of course, the DNA information said that he was my son.

What followed unfolded gently and beautifully. We began with emails, then texts, and eventually FaceTime calls. Conversations that might have taken a lifetime to imagine became part of everyday life. I also shared information about his birth father, and they have since formed their own connection.

Today, I know my son, not just as a memory, but as a man. I have met his wonderful wife, who graciously helped plan a surprise visit so we could meet in person. The moment he saw me standing there is one I will carry with me forever.

I also have two beautiful grandchildren who are funny, warm, and full of life. Seeing them, even through a screen, fills me with a kind of joy I once thought I had lost forever.

The story did not end in 1984. It simply paused. Now, we are writing the rest together. And for that, I am endlessly grateful."

Thank you, Gail, for sharing your incredibly powerful story with the BraveLove community this week. ❤️

Do you have a story connected to adoption? Please visit https://www.bravelove.org/share-your-story/ or email [email protected] directly to share your story with us.

Happy Father's Day to all of the courageous and loving dads out there! We hope you feel so loved today. ❤️