My adopted children received a letter from their birth mother just before my 86th birthday and chose to meet her instead of celebrating with me. They discovered an astonishing truth and realized things were not as they seemed.
Unexpected News
“Mom, I know you and Dad raised us with all the love in the world. But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t curious about this woman,” my daughter Emily said. My husband Kevin and I had adopted Emily and her twin brother Ethan after struggling with infertility. We raised them with all the love and care we could provide, never feeling the need to mention their adoption.
A Closed Adoption
At almost 40, Kevin and I adopted Emily and Ethan from a pregnant teenager who chose a closed adoption. We focused on giving them the best upbringing, and they grew up beautifully. Emily excelled in basketball, earning a scholarship, while Ethan was a math genius who got into Stanford. They eventually returned to Pasadena, got married, and had children of their own.
Shocking Revelation
“Mom, the truth is that Ethan and I were contacted by a woman today. She said she was our birth mom and sent proof of the adoption. She wants to meet us. I wished we knew the truth. I think Ethan is angry too,” Emily confessed. My heart broke hearing this, especially since it was so close to my birthday. I apologized and offered to share everything about their adoption, but they needed time to process.
A Surprising Visit
On my birthday, I felt lonely and worried as I didn’t hear from my kids. Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and my entire family stood outside with a birthday cake, singing “Happy Birthday.” Emily and Ethan apologized, explaining their distrust of their birth mother, who seemed more interested in what they could give her than in knowing them. “You’re my mom. You’re my only mom,” Emily assured me, and Ethan agreed, saying, “A mother is the one who raises you, not the one who gives birth to you.”
Through their actions and words, I knew their love for me was unwavering.
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