Today’s story – In 2003, we gave birth to a baby girl that we ultimately gave up for adoption. We were just beginning our relationship (not even really a couple at the time) and in the middle of a hardcore party stage (drugs & alcohol). Adoption was somewhat forced; I could’ve gotten help, but I knew deep down in my heart that we could not give the child a healthy/better life, so adoption was the final decision.

It was a closed adoption, but communication was able to be done through the Attorney. That went well for the first few years…and then nothing. Even the Attorney lost contact with the Adoptive parents and my heart was crushed – did something happen to them? Would I ever have contact again? Would I get another picture to be able to at least see her grow up? I’ve always kept my social media wide open, with my maiden name, in the event she ever wanted to find us. I would go down the proverbial rabbit hole and try to find them – I knew her first/middle name, her mom’s name and the state they lived in.

Fast forward to September 10th 2024: ND and I are married and have been together for 26 years now. The morning of the 10th, I got a text: “Hey xxxx, my name is xxxx. I messaged you on Messenger last week, but I don’t know if you have messenger or not. I was reaching out because I am trying to find my birthparents and I didn’t know if it was you or not, but if it’s you I am hoping to maybe reconnect” MY HEART DROPPED and I bawled my eyes out! She is now married and has a SON!

She (baby girl) texts me, my husband and our kids pretty much every day. She answers any of my questions and I answer hers, honestly. She is coming to our state to visit us next month (with her mom)!! I am nervous/scared and happy/excited all at once! So, here’s where I need help: what advice do you have for the reunification meeting? Do I avoid asking the mom what happened, why communication stopped, or do I avoid that? I don’t know how I feel about the mom coming along with her; it makes her more comfortable, which is absolutely fine, but idk how to feel about the mom coming to the outings and such. I am so excited and feel incredibly blessed that she had the courage to reach out!!