My Perception and Reality

It had been over a week since the adoption agency had sent her my information, and still no word. Almost 36 years had passed since her birth, and I kept telling myself to be patient; however, I worried that she might not want to know her birth mother. Maybe she would resent the intrusion, and I would just have to leave her alone. What else could I do? Did she even know she was adopted? If she did know, would she be bitter and resentful towards me? Maybe she thought I did not want her, instead of knowing that I wanted only the best for her. How could she know that I was only 16 when I had to make that decision? So many nagging thoughts raced through my mind, but it would be so hard to back away now.

Two years ago, my boyfriend, John, had made a call to Teri at the adoption agency in Ohio but they would not release any information. I was too nervous to call myself. The idea of ever finding my daughter seemed bleak until an internet stranger, Vivian, gave me new hope. She had reunited hundreds of people. In fact, she had the right name on the second try. This time when I called the agency, armed with Vivian's data (which they verified); Teri agreed to send a registered letter to ask if my daughter wanted to be found.

The waiting was agonizing. Finally, I decided to try e-mailing her through Classmates.com but there was no response. A few more days dragged by. My family kept calling to find out if I had received a reply. My son, Robert, had always wanted to find his sister. He hated being an only child. I was hoping to surprise him on his birthday, but no such luck. Between running for the phone, checking my e-mail every five minutes, and waiting for the postman, I was losing my grip on reality.

Then, like a vision, I opened my e-mail to find a message from my daughter. I was ecstatic. I yelled, screamed, and jumped up and down. She said her name was Annie, and that she was happy to be found! Also, she said she was happy to have a little brother. I called Robert, and he raced over. So, we yelled, screamed, and jumped up and down! Annie had enclosed a picture. We could pass for twins. I stared at it, printed it, and forwarded it to everyone I know. I thanked God. It was a miracle!

Apparently, the agency had not put enough postage on the registered letter; therefore, it had to be resent. When it arrived at Annie's, there was nobody home to sign for it so it went back to the post office, where it remained for days. Later on, I found out that she was in no hurry to retrieve it, because (as she says) nothing good comes registered. Her husband, Duane, finally picked up the letter. He called Annie at work, and she asked him to open it and read it to her. As it turned out, she was so excited that she immediately called the agency, but Teri's voicemail on Friday said that she would be in on Monday, and on Monday, it said Wednesday.

Annie tried talking to a co-worker who said that Teri had all the files and no one else could help. When Annie finally talked to Teri on the phone, she was advised to go slowly. She said that she thought it would be best if we communicated via phone or letter once every three weeks. Also, she highly discouraged e-mail correspondence. Teri finally mailed my information;, however, it was sent to my old address which she still had in her file from two years before when she talked to John. It was such a comedy of errors, but I did not find it humorous.

If I had not sent Annie the e-mail, we might still be trying to find each other. Luckily for both of us, she inherited my lack of patience and answered my e-mail. Teri would just have a cow if she knew how we e-mail each other everyday non-stop. Although they say that only one percent of this type of reunion ever becomes a permanent part of their lives, this one has broken all the rules. We are unbelievably close. When we first met face-to-face at Tampa airport a month later, Annie dropped her luggage, and we hugged and hugged. Robert and I flew up to see her, and we have taken hundreds of pictures. When I signed the permanent surrender papers, I never expected to ever see her again. I am so glad I got past my fears of rejection and found her. She is perfect, and I am so proud of her. We chat everyday, and Robert and Annie talk on the phone for hours. She has also changed the lives of our whole family. At a reunion in West Virginia over the Fourth of July, my nephew Ryan asked," does she know how much she had brought our family together?" I told him that I hoped so, because it doesn't get any better than this. Annie will be flying in for a visit next month, and my impatience has taken on a whole new flavor. Thanks to Vivian, we will all live happily ever after.

Share your story and read more stories.