After the Interview: I Found My Birth Mom – and Extended Family!
Yes, dear friends, it is true! Only a few hours after I did the interview with Maria on Saturday, she was able to find my birth mom by searching social media. I only found out the news on Sunday afternoon, when Maria told me she had some “updates” and wanted to share them with me. Little did I know, she had been talking to my mom, learning the story of my adoption from the side of my biological family! I was shocked, but it was soon apparent, it was true!
My adoptive parents and I were all so happy to hear this amazing news! My parents, Brian and Stephanie, have always been very open about my adoption. To be able to talk to my birth mom and tell her we have prayed for her all these years: “I love you, I have a good life. Thank you for giving me life. I don’t have questions I need answered. I don’t blame you – I don’t even see anything to forgive,” is an opportunity no words describe. Getting to video call her, and meet my mom, her husband (Papa) and my sister was such a beautiful experience.
Not only have I met my mom and her family, I am meeting aunts, cousins, grandparents, uncles and more! It is an incredible blessing to see and now be a part of such a strong, welcoming family unit. Not every adoption story ends this way and I am overwhelmed with gratefulness, that the Lord has written my story this way. In sharing this news, I know so many friends and families will be excited. I pray this story is also an encouragement to other adoptive families and children. I hope you will join me in giving the glory to God – “Let them know that it is Your hand— that You, Adonai, have done it.” (Psalm 109: 27). That: “A father of orphans, defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God settles the lonely in a home” (Psalm 68:6-7).
And if you are wondering, yes, I will be visiting Russia in the near future to meet the other half of my family
(Interview with Maria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iTnkbegwGM)
Pictured: My mom and dad, my sister, a cousin, an aunt, and my grandparents in Russia
