I Have Always Loved You

My name is Suzanne Weston; my maiden name is Parker. Three weeks after my 16th birthday I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. He was born on March 2, 1982 at Phoenix Baptist Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. I gave my son up for adoption out of love. I weighed my options, looked at the pros and cons before coming to the most difficult decision of my life. I have always felt in my heart that the decision I made was the right one. I wanted him to have a chance at a decent life, which I couldn't provide.

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At the time I gave birth, my own mother had been dead for nearly two years. My father had kicked me out of his home approximately 7 months before my son's birth. I was living with the family of my best friend. Prior to living with them I moved from one place to another. I didn't feel I could burden my friends with helping me raise a child. I also wanted to finish high school and not raise a child on welfare.

Over the years, I have always kept the hope in my heart that someday my son would find me. My son is now 21 years old. If I remember right the adoption files are open, so once he turns 21 if he wants to look for me, he will be able to get identifying information on me. The family I was living with at the time of his birth still lives at the same address and has the same phone number. I am still very close with them, and they know how to contact me.

My life had been very hard for many years, but in the past 7 years I have turned it around and now have a good life. I was married for 12 years and had two more sons. They both have known about my first son since they were old enough to understand what adoption is. We all look forward to the day we meet my first son, their older brother.

I know the family that adopted my son changed his name, but I named him Anthony Lee Parker. The adoption was arranged by my OB/GYN doctor. The family were friends of his. Son, I hope someday you want to get to know me. If and when that time comes, I will do it on your terms. I also want you to know that I have always loved you and have prayed that your life has been what I was hoping it would be for you.

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