Thank you for saying that you don't see birth mothers as cowards. I chose adoption over a year ago, and it's still very fresh and painful for me. My family disowned me for my choice and basically think I'm a terrible person. I get looked down on a lot and judged for my choice by people who don't know my reasons. I have ankylosing spondalitis, which is similar to lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and raising a baby just wasn't in the cards for me. But similar to your story, I found a wonderful couple who couldn't conceive, and helped them fulfill their 10 year long dream to be parents. And they are like the Olympic champions of parents. I get updates and pics and he is just the happiest most beloved little guy on the planet. He'll have every opportunity to be whatever he chooses in life. He'll never know what it'll be like to go hungry or get the electricity shut off or beg for rides to make it to doctor's appointments. Everyone's life has struggles, but he'll never have to struggle for just the basics. I made sure he is financially stable with compassionate loving parents in the only way I could: choosing better parents than I was capable of being. I'm sure your biological mother thinks of you every day, especially on mother's day. I hope my son feels the same way you do about your adoption when he gets older. As for now, he's only 1 year old and all he knows are the parents who adore him and obviously doesn't know yet that he's adopted, although he's being raised so that it's not a secret. He'll grow up knowing he is adopted, and I just hope he feels the same way about it as you do. Thank you for sharing your story and I hope you find your birth mother someday.
diane, you are a very selfless person to make such a great sacrifice for your son. It's always hard to do the right thing. I pray your life becomes wonderful and I pray healing for you
Diane, the only person you needed to think about when making your decision was your baby and that's exactly what you did. It does take courage to go against the crowd and especially when that crowd is your own family. You have not abandoned your child but given that child the best possible chance for a great life. I'm sure that one day your baby will grow up and thank you for that. I am an adoptee and my story is long. My birth Mom had 23 children including 4 sets of twins. She died after my twin and I were born in 1958. My oldest Sister tried to take care of the 14 kids still living at home. She was 22 years old though with 4 kids of her own to care for, so it became impossible to care for her Siblings to. She had to give them up and so some were adopted and others put in to foster care. My twin and I were never told about our birth family even though our adoptive parents knew the story. In fact they took us out of our oldest Sisters arms and took us home with them. In 1993 I joined an adoption search group who gave me our birth names and guided each step I took until we found our first Sibling. Somehow Wally Phillips from WGN radio in Chicago took our story on and had a reunion for 13 of us that he had helped us find at the time. Since then we have found every Sibling we have dead or alive. We had originally thought that the man our Mother married fathered all of her children but due to modern day DNA testing we have found out different. At least 5 of us and possibly 6 have different Fathers then who is on our birth certificates. From 1993 until this year I thought my twin and my Father was her husband, but he is not. So here I am at 60 years old trying to find out once again who my birth Father is. It's a crazy story with many twists and turns. One thing I can tell you though is that no matter if I find him or not, I will never regret being raised by the most wonderful parents in the world in my adoptive home. I am thrilled to know my birth family but after the stories I've heard, I was blessed not to have grown up with them. It was a mess after our Mother died and some of the kids were not as lucky as my twin and I were. I thank God every day for the decision my oldest Sister made to give us up. I've actually thanked her for that decision and one day your baby will to. You chose life and that takes courage. You went through all of the physical changes a pregnant woman has to go through and endure and the pain of childbirth without getting the rewards of raising that child. That is the biggest sacrifice a woman can make in the best interest of a child she knows she can't keep. It's great that you are able to get updates and see pictures of that child as it grows. To be able to see the baby in a loving home is your greatest reward. Bless your for your decision. In my case I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Stay strong!
Just found this, Ryan. I learned of the identity of my biological father when I was forty. I learned he had died 6 months prior. I never met him, but I was fortunate to meet my half-sister. We're so alike. My sister and I had attended the same university and had the same boss but 6 years apart. More, my sister and son look so much alike, too. In fact, my son looks more like his aunt than he looks like me! Thank you for sharing your story, and congrats on your success with Toni.
i was adopted at 3 days old. found my biological mother when i was 15 and just last year in October I found my biological father at 32. great video mate and cheers!
Ean patrick good for you Ean . I had a good friend who was adopted ,he never tried to look for his biological parents . His parents were his parents ,and Dave was fine with that . Glad you tried and found yours .
@@joegilly1523 when your adopted you never know if your bio parents are even good people. You could meet them find out thier a phycopath and go you know what I'm glad they didn't raise me.
Thank you for making someone's wish for parenthood possible. I always wished to adopt, but my mates were having none if it. Having children didn't diminish my wish to adopt, either.
I’m 30 years old, and I found my biological father last august through ancestry DNA. he didn’t know I existed either. My new family welcomed me in with open arms, just as yours did and it such an amazing feeling! Congrats!!
I have followed your story since I saw your first video about your birth mom. I'm a birth father who was fortunate enough to be a part of the adoption process. My daughters and I have since reunited. I waited for so many years in the hopes that they would want to meet me. Thank you so much for sharing your story. It certainly was one that helped me hold out hope until my babies came back to me.
Dude...you're one of the kindest and most wise young men I've meet on UA-cam ! Wish if you were my older brother man, you'd definitely be my best Friend #Respect you a lot
I was adopted and all I ever wanted to do was thank my mum for the amazing life she gave me. Unfortunately she passed away before I could thank her. I did find my siblings though, all 10 of them and they told me I was definitely the lucky one. They had a hard life. Lots more to the story but bless the mums out there who gave the ultimate sacrifice❤️
Thanks to ancestry, my husband met a half sister he didn’t know existed. She is delightful. For a long time, his dad would not entertain the possibility he fathered a child before meeting my mother in law. After two years, he finally agreed to contact her and he will meet her for the first time in June. We hope he falls in love with this new daughter as we all have.
I love that you are such a grounded person and you are a credit to your mum and dad as they have brought up a wonderful caring man and I'm sure your biological dad is very proud of the young man you have become, and thank you for sharing your story with us I look forward to your next video.
After listening to the last podcast before the birth of your daughter this morning and hearing the bit about your unknown family history, this gave me happy tears. I'm so happy for you!
Thank you for sharing your story Ryan! I found my entire birth family almost 33 yrs ago when I was 21 yrs old. Like you, I had wonderful loving adoptive parents who were always supportive of my search. I mostly searched for my birth mother because I wanted to thank her for giving me life, but I also wanted to meet another person in this world who I shared the same blood with. Imagine my surprise when I found out my birth mother had married my birth father two yrs after my birth and I had a full younger sister & brother!!! 😁 Now I have two families ❤💙 All four of my parents became good friends, and best of all, my children have a LOT of grandparents!
Congratulations on having such a positive response from your dad. That's a blessing. I found out last year that the man who I thought was my father wasn't. And my father is not interested in meeting me. Such is life. Happy for you
How wonderful for you to find your father! Younger adoptees are so lucky. I am 62 and last year found my biological families, my mother died in 2016, my father is in a nursing home, but I have a wonderful half brother on my mom’s side, and have become very close to my father’s sister. Best of luck to you!
This is great. I found a brother and two sisters via Ancestory DNA. I'm 69 so I'm enjoying it. Wish is happened 10 years ago, it would give me more time to enjoy it.
Wonderful video with a story so similar to mine. The big difference is that I found my biological Father at age 60 ! He was 86 at the time ! 2 years later my Poppa and I are so close. I also have 4 half siblings that I love ! I did find my biological Mother, sadly she had passed, but I've been taken in and loved by her side. Grandma was one of 15...so you do the math on cousins ,2nd cousins !! So loved, so blessed ! My Mom and Daddy totally supported me looking for my roots. Sadly they have both passed and did not see this. But I know they have been smiling from heaven!! Congratulations mate !!
I've watching your story since I first found it. I'm so glad that you found your biological dad and I can feel it. At least I can do is to pray for you. So I want to keep fighting on what you're doing. May GOD be with you,
Your whole story just proves that patience and hard work pays off man.. and I’m not just talking about finding your family. Your career alone is something most people only dream of. Onya Bro.
I’ve been following your story since the beginning and I’m extremely happy you got to find your birth father. It touched my heart to hear that your father was really happy to meet you. I hope you get to meet your birth mother and finally get the closure you wanted. Best wishes all the way from Houston, Texas USA. Sincerely, Stavros
I wish you all the best John. My children here in South Africa, most of them will never know who is their father or what it is like to have a positive father influence in their lives. The role of a father is the most important aspect for a child's development. Without this backbone of a family,this is where voilence and criminals are from, a person who did not have a great father on their life.
You are such a positive upbeat young man & when you were describing your 1st meeting with your Dad you'd think you were describing yourself, Ryan you are your father.
I’m crying ! Been crying for 3 minutes because I’m just so happy for u. My brother just made me an aunt and I found out that his girlfriend was actually adopted so it feels so surreal to me because I never had to deal with something so sensitive. She’s a Korean adoptee and I love her with all my heart. Im glad she’s part of my family because I love her and if she wanted to go back to Korea to find her family I would definitely go and support her
How wonderful for you and your family. I found my birth daughter 32 years ago when she turned and 18 (we have an incredible connection) and just this week, 50 years later she has found her birth father thru a family connection on Ancestry; it's been a long journey for her. They have spoken and his family is welcoming her with open arms. We could not have asked for a better 50th birthday present for her.
I found my Mom and she passed away 4 months prior. I wish I started earlier. I couldn’t afford too. Never found my Dad. Met my Gma and Uncle and cousins/
I met my birth father first in 2010 and my birth mom in 2015. I never felt hate or anger towards my birth parents as they were 15 years old when I was born. They were just to young to do it. I still have an incredible relationship with both. My dad lives far away but my mom moved closer to me, even lived with me for about a year. I was blessed with amazing parents who raised me and I couldn't have asked for a different story of my life. It is perfect and im still writing my journey .
Your story is beautiful!! My daughter is adopted, but the truth is I forget sometimes. It’s important for me to remember that she will go through this and need all my love and support!! I’m excited for the day she gets to meet her other family and make connections with them. I know she will always be my baby, no matter who she finds along life’s way. 💕
It makes me happy to see your story and that you have been able to find answers to those hidden and unknown questions that adoptees grow up with if they know they are adopted. You are blessed that your bio-father is now present in your life. An adoptee myself, I found my bio parents a few weeks ago. They married after I was placed for adoption…. I’m exchanging emails at the moment so who knows where this is heading. It’s stories like yours that pushed me to finally look for them at almost 50 years of age. I’m nervous, but it is what it is.
What a great story. Your adoptive family has done a wonderful job raising and teaching you to be a sweet man. Thank you for not having a chip on your shoulder. We never know what goes on at the time in someone's life that it calls for such drastic matters as giving up your flesh and blood. I hope to see you have a meeting with your mom soon. God bless you and tell your mom and dad they did an awesome job!!!
I am so glad it worked out for you. I have often wondered how many people apply to the show "Long Lost Family" and their story never reaches the air because the parent/s do not wish to be found. It did happen once. A woman was adopted and she gave up a daughter. Her biological mother welcomed here with open arms. However, the daughter she gave up did not wish a meeting. However, she did send a nice text expressing her gratitude for her life.
I love that your shared this experience with us. I love the gratitude and love you have for your birth mother. My bestfriend was abused and impregnated at 15 and wanted to keep the baby but her biological family abandoned her "for being a whore" and she knew she couldnt raise a baby alone and chose for adoption. 10 years later, her baby asked her adoptive family about her bio mom and they decided she was old enough to get to choose to meet so they finally did. Today they have a healthy loving realtionship. The parents of the baby have sudo-adopted her into the family. Her baby knows my friend is the woman who brought her into the world and loves when she visits. My friend finally has a family who adores her the way she should be and its all because she choose to give that little baby up for adoption. It was the best decision for them both ❤
Beautiful, I have recently found cousins in the US (Ancestry DNA) and our relationship is awesome, I live in Sydney. God Bless you, thanks for the video
Ryan- I love this video. You told this story beautifully. I recently found my birth father this past May. We have a wonderful friendship and looking into the eyes of half of you is a feeling I cannot describe. I’m very happy for you! I hope we both have long and happy lives with our new friends.
I’m not adopted, just someone who scrolled through and saw the video post. Omg! It was beautiful! So happy for you! What a great outcome. I’m sure this very scenario is what most mothers want for their children. Blessings to you and yours!
I love these stories. They're beautiful and hit you right in the feels. I've become more cynical with age, so these type of stories give me some hope in humanity.
What a beautiful story! I grew up without parents, was plopped at my Grandparents door who felt overwhelmed with 3 grandkids to raise. I often wished I had been adopted out so at least I would be loved. Instead I was abandoned, made to feel like a burden and had to try and answer the same question from everyone around me that a child cannot answer "Where are your parents, and why did they abandon you?" Your mom gave you a gift. Although I do wish she had at least told your dad, but then your life would have been different and it turned out so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.
I’m so happy for you that this has been such a positive and affirming experience for you. I wish I could say the same about meeting my biological families. Ultimately, I decided to cease contact with my mother 9 years ago after 12 years of difficult contact. I’ve stayed in touch with my father, with mixed results. We are both very similar in our mannerisms and quirks, yet worlds apart in our social, political, and religious beliefs. I am definitely one of the odd ducks of his family.
Beautiful. I am a birth mom and found my son 27 years ago. It has been such a beautiful experience. He was blessed to grow up in wonderful home. I love them, too. We have all become the best of friends and family.
Aww, I remember you Mother’s Day Video on FB. I’m so happy for you!! I hope you meet your biological mom and it goes just as great! I love that your parents have been so great about you finding them! That’s love!
I recently met my bio father n i'm 41. I have a few memories of him when i was extremely young, but had no contact in all those years. It's been an emotional journey. I wish you well!
You're very lucky to have so many people genuinely care for you, on all sides. Most people's stories are not like that, adopted or not. I'm happy for you.
Love these stories, my dad was adopted and I have since met my bio family and it’s so strange the connection you have from the moment you meet them.. everything falls into place and to meet people you look like is so wild! I am a spitting image of my dads birth mom and out personalities are almost identical,. I never did get to meet her, but I am in constant contact with cousins and a sister of hers and have recently made contact with some of paternal side as well.. they all live in the same area where my father grew up which is mind blowing!! I am so happy to see you got this gift of meeting your dad!!! It’s amazing when you find that part of yourself and it’s not to dismiss your adoptive parents at all. What your bio mom did I’m sure was the hardest thing she ever did .. and she most likely has never forgotten about you. I hope there is a follow up video!
started watching these stories today due to thinking about my son alot these days... You bring hope to me that my son will not hate me completely for this descion
I am an adoptee and also an adopter so I see it from both sides and I have never ever felt any anonomosity towards my birth mother for giving me up. No one makes that decision easily and I had a great childhood in a loving family with wonderful adoptive parents, so please don't beat yourself up for your decision, you want the best for your child and that is love IMO. Take care and I hope one day he will look you up and thank you in person, but please leave that decision to him as I do feel it should be the adoptees decision to search and not the birth parents as he has to feel the time is right for him and if you intrude into his life when he is not ready, you could cause all sorts of problems for him, so please be patient and leave the decision to search to him. If you put your DNA on websites, he will find you if he wants to.
I'm older than you but I'm a generation down from you in that my mum is an adoptee, and I was the first blood relative that she met. I grew up with her telling me things that sound just like you especially the experience of never having looked into someone else's face and seeing your own. She went onto find her bio mum's family and when I was in my 20s I found her bio dad's family, and I finally understood something she had said. I met these strangers, and I saw my face in theirs. It was intense. It worked out for the best. Good luck to you!
I'm an adoptee....closed adoption. I too feel grateful for the amazing life I've had with my adoptive family! Just trying to start to seek ....want to know more about my health and history. Hope the gift of sharing me with my family gave birth parents the gift of having their own journey in their own time. Thank you!
My friends dad, and my mom's co-worker were both adopted, and were able to find their biological mother and father. Unfortunately for my friends dad, he was just so anxious to meet him that he showed up on his dad's doorstep with no warning and it did not go well. He felt ambushed, but they eventually cobbled together enough of a relationship to where their families meet every once in a while. For my mom's co-worker, it went the worst it could go. She found her mom. Her mom said she wanted to meet her. She traveled all the way to see her, and when she got there, her mom would not open the door. She begged and begged and the mom just felt like she couldn't do it, and she's never gotten to ever see her in person or have any type of relationship with her and wishes she had never tried to find her. I hope more people have more positive stories. I've read quite a few in the comments and that warms my heart, but thank you for mentioning that not everyone gets the fairytale ending. For some, they never get answers, or it's too late, and the parent or parents have passed on.
What a wonderful story. I discovered I was adopted when I was 35. That was 10 years ago. My mother had just recently died and knowing she had taken me in and taken care of me not being her own threw me to some weird level of excitement and joy, because for the past 6 years, up until her death, I was able to take care of her after a stroke. I was able to see her and help her through many stages in life that she helped me through when I was a child, like eating by herself, sitting up on the bed, walking. So, not only for that, but especially for that, I was grateful. However, maybe because I had such wonderful mum and life I never really cared about blood and DNA and biological parents. I had/have what I had/have and that’s all I need(ed). Thanks for sharing. Take care!
Probably a better life than having a single mother that couldn’t care for you and was sad. I adore my mom, but I grew up with it being very obvious neither of my parents were ready. It was miserable. I didn’t even know my mom liked me until I was 16, I thought she was indifferent to me because as a kid you don’t understand the emotions of adults. Obviously it’s not the same as being adopted, but having parents that weren’t ready to be parents, it feels like it took me being adult and seeking them out in order to know them. They’re parents but most importantly, they’re people. I think that’s very hard for people to understand.
What a beautiful man inside out! God bless you...your gratitude reach me so deeply...thank you you made me realize i have to practice gratitude every minute 🙏. Your family is awesome ...you all made me cry happy tears. ❤
That's amazing! So happy for you!! The suspense of waiting for your next video....😱 Hopefully it's not too far off. Good luck with everything you do! Wishing you the best from California!
Your so lucky to have found your birth family…I sadly found my birth mother 3 months after she had passed. I discovered I had 3 brothers…but no one knew who my birth father was. This was over 20 years ago..I have searched and searched, Ancestry has told me where I come from…and given me cousins galore but still no info of birth father family. Continue joy with your families…
Thank you for saying that you don't see birth mothers as cowards. I chose adoption over a year ago, and it's still very fresh and painful for me. My family disowned me for my choice and basically think I'm a terrible person. I get looked down on a lot and judged for my choice by people who don't know my reasons. I have ankylosing spondalitis, which is similar to lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and raising a baby just wasn't in the cards for me. But similar to your story, I found a wonderful couple who couldn't conceive, and helped them fulfill their 10 year long dream to be parents. And they are like the Olympic champions of parents. I get updates and pics and he is just the happiest most beloved little guy on the planet. He'll have every opportunity to be whatever he chooses in life. He'll never know what it'll be like to go hungry or get the electricity shut off or beg for rides to make it to doctor's appointments. Everyone's life has struggles, but he'll never have to struggle for just the basics. I made sure he is financially stable with compassionate loving parents in the only way I could: choosing better parents than I was capable of being. I'm sure your biological mother thinks of you every day, especially on mother's day. I hope my son feels the same way you do about your adoption when he gets older. As for now, he's only 1 year old and all he knows are the parents who adore him and obviously doesn't know yet that he's adopted, although he's being raised so that it's not a secret. He'll grow up knowing he is adopted, and I just hope he feels the same way about it as you do. Thank you for sharing your story and I hope you find your birth mother someday.
Sorry to hear about people's reactions to your decisions.
I know how selfless a decision it is so on behalf of adoptees, thank you.
Thank you for your reply and your kindness.
diane, you are a very selfless person to make such a great sacrifice for your son. It's always hard to do the right thing. I pray your life becomes wonderful and I pray healing for you
You did a wonderful thing so sorry your family don't see that
Diane, the only person you needed to think about when making your decision was your baby and that's exactly what you did. It does take courage to go against the crowd and especially when that crowd is your own family. You have not abandoned your child but given that child the best possible chance for a great life. I'm sure that one day your baby will grow up and thank you for that. I am an adoptee and my story is long. My birth Mom had 23 children including 4 sets of twins. She died after my twin and I were born in 1958. My oldest Sister tried to take care of the 14 kids still living at home. She was 22 years old though with 4 kids of her own to care for, so it became impossible to care for her Siblings to. She had to give them up and so some were adopted and others put in to foster care. My twin and I were never told about our birth family even though our adoptive parents knew the story. In fact they took us out of our oldest Sisters arms and took us home with them. In 1993 I joined an adoption search group who gave me our birth names and guided each step I took until we found our first Sibling. Somehow Wally Phillips from WGN radio in Chicago took our story on and had a reunion for 13 of us that he had helped us find at the time. Since then we have found every Sibling we have dead or alive. We had originally thought that the man our Mother married fathered all of her children but due to modern day DNA testing we have found out different. At least 5 of us and possibly 6 have different Fathers then who is on our birth certificates. From 1993 until this year I thought my twin and my Father was her husband, but he is not. So here I am at 60 years old trying to find out once again who my birth Father is. It's a crazy story with many twists and turns. One thing I can tell you though is that no matter if I find him or not, I will never regret being raised by the most wonderful parents in the world in my adoptive home. I am thrilled to know my birth family but after the stories I've heard, I was blessed not to have grown up with them. It was a mess after our Mother died and some of the kids were not as lucky as my twin and I were. I thank God every day for the decision my oldest Sister made to give us up. I've actually thanked her for that decision and one day your baby will to. You chose life and that takes courage. You went through all of the physical changes a pregnant woman has to go through and endure and the pain of childbirth without getting the rewards of raising that child. That is the biggest sacrifice a woman can make in the best interest of a child she knows she can't keep. It's great that you are able to get updates and see pictures of that child as it grows. To be able to see the baby in a loving home is your greatest reward. Bless your for your decision. In my case I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Stay strong!
Just found this, Ryan. I learned of the identity of my biological father when I was forty. I learned he had died 6 months prior. I never met him, but I was fortunate to meet my half-sister. We're so alike. My sister and I had attended the same university and had the same boss but 6 years apart. More, my sister and son look so much alike, too. In fact, my son looks more like his aunt than he looks like me! Thank you for sharing your story, and congrats on your success with Toni.
i was adopted at 3 days old. found my biological mother when i was 15 and just last year in October I found my biological father at 32. great video mate and cheers!
Ean patrick good for you Ean . I had a good friend who was adopted ,he never tried to look for his biological parents . His parents were his parents ,and Dave was fine with that . Glad you tried and found yours .
@@joegilly1523 when your adopted you never know if your bio parents are even good people. You could meet them find out thier a phycopath and go you know what I'm glad they didn't raise me.
Thank you for making someone's wish for parenthood possible. I always wished to adopt, but my mates were having none if it. Having children didn't diminish my wish to adopt, either.
ALWAYS remember, BLOOD make you related, LOVE makes you FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very well said.
(and I certainly won't forget!)
Well said
SOOOO TRUE!
Amen!!!
but BLOOD doesn't make you LOVE
I’m 30 years old, and I found my biological father last august through ancestry DNA. he didn’t know I existed either. My new family welcomed me in with open arms, just as yours did and it such an amazing feeling! Congrats!!
WOW! Congrats!
that's cool
I have followed your story since I saw your first video about your birth mom. I'm a birth father who was fortunate enough to be a part of the adoption process. My daughters and I have since reunited. I waited for so many years in the hopes that they would want to meet me. Thank you so much for sharing your story. It certainly was one that helped me hold out hope until my babies came back to me.
Dude...you're one of the kindest and most wise young men I've meet on UA-cam !
Wish if you were my older brother man, you'd definitely be my best Friend
#Respect you a lot
Haha thanks for the kind message Ahmed. I appreciate it
Finding the 1st one I gave up and telling my kids ruined things with them-he two I raised.
Look before u leap.
I wish I had kept that secret.
I was adopted and all I ever wanted to do was thank my mum for the amazing life she gave me. Unfortunately she passed away before I could thank her. I did find my siblings though, all 10 of them and they told me I was definitely the lucky one. They had a hard life. Lots more to the story but bless the mums out there who gave the ultimate sacrifice❤️
Thanks to ancestry, my husband met a half sister he didn’t know existed. She is delightful. For a long time, his dad would not entertain the possibility he fathered a child before meeting my mother in law. After two years, he finally agreed to contact her and he will meet her for the first time in June. We hope he falls in love with this new daughter as we all have.
I LOVE that your mom went with you! I’m married to an adoptee. My in laws meeting my husband’s bio mother was a beautiful moment!
I love that you are such a grounded person and you are a credit to your mum and dad as they have brought up a wonderful caring man and I'm sure your biological dad is very proud of the young man you have become, and thank you for sharing your story with us I look forward to your next video.
I echo all your true words.
Thanks for your kind words Raelene!
A beautiful story. My brother in law recently met his son who was unknown to him. A family grows, love by addition.
I don’t understand why some people put thumbs down a video guy finding his birth parents they must be miserable
I would think that they have a similar story but with alot of hurt in them.
Grandma had champagne in the morning ❤️
I cried when you cried and I'm so overtaken by your story.
After listening to the last podcast before the birth of your daughter this morning and hearing the bit about your unknown family history, this gave me happy tears. I'm so happy for you!
Cool vid mate, I've just sent the letter now I'm waiting for a reply. Fingers crossed.
Hey Ron, let me know how you go.
@@ToniandRyan Did you find your birth mom?
what happend?
This is incredible, Ryan. I am so happy to hear this worked out.
Thank you for sharing your story Ryan! I found my entire birth family almost 33 yrs ago when I was 21 yrs old. Like you, I had wonderful loving adoptive parents who were always supportive of my search. I mostly searched for my birth mother because I wanted to thank her for giving me life, but I also wanted to meet another person in this world who I shared the same blood with. Imagine my surprise when I found out my birth mother had married my birth father two yrs after my birth and I had a full younger sister & brother!!! 😁 Now I have two families ❤💙 All four of my parents became good friends, and best of all, my children have a LOT of grandparents!
Wow
Wow you're in a way lucky that the parents didn't go separate ways, otherwise you'd have a different path
Congratulations on having such a positive response from your dad. That's a blessing. I found out last year that the man who I thought was my father wasn't. And my father is not interested in meeting me. Such is life. Happy for you
Same happened to me.
the guy you call your father is just a sperm donor. The one who loves you is your real dad.
@@marycrawford3460 I did have a foster father who loved me
How wonderful for you to find your father! Younger adoptees are so lucky. I am 62 and last year found my biological families, my mother died in 2016, my father is in a nursing home, but I have a wonderful half brother on my mom’s side, and have become very close to my father’s sister. Best of luck to you!
This is great. I found a brother and two sisters via Ancestory DNA. I'm 69 so I'm enjoying it. Wish is happened 10 years ago, it would give me more time to enjoy it.
Thanks for posting this. As someone who is currently in the process of trying to find my biological family. This gives me hope.
What a precious story ,Ryan, your father has a father's heart.
Wonderful video with a story so similar to mine. The big difference is that I found my biological Father at age 60 ! He was 86 at the time ! 2 years later my Poppa and I are so close. I also have 4 half siblings that I love ! I did find my biological Mother, sadly she had passed, but I've been taken in and loved by her side. Grandma was one of 15...so you do the math on cousins ,2nd cousins !! So loved, so blessed ! My Mom and Daddy totally supported me looking for my roots. Sadly they have both passed and did not see this. But I know they have been smiling from heaven!! Congratulations mate !!
I've watching your story since I first found it. I'm so glad that you found your biological dad and I can feel it. At least I can do is to pray for you. So I want to keep fighting on what you're doing. May GOD be with you,
Your whole story just proves that patience and hard work pays off man.. and I’m not just talking about finding your family. Your career alone is something most people only dream of. Onya Bro.
Totally agree!
Thanks Alo appreciate your kind words brother
The dads response 😭😭😭😭😭this story is so imotional😭😭😭😭
He has a "high profile" job 😠😠😠
I’ve been following your story since the beginning and I’m extremely happy you got to find your birth father. It touched my heart to hear that your father was really happy to meet you. I hope you get to meet your birth mother and finally get the closure you wanted. Best wishes all the way from Houston, Texas USA. Sincerely, Stavros
OMG I am in tears! BLESS YOU!
I'm very happy for you guys!
"An old-fashioned letter" hahaha. Aw, to be young! :D
Not every story comes out as positive as yours. To all who are choosing adoption, be blessed. You are heroes too.
Your father's answer "what's mine is yours" made me weep 🥹 that was so sweet ❤
I wish you all the best John.
My children here in South Africa, most of them will never know who is their father or what it is like to have a positive father influence in their lives.
The role of a father is the most important aspect for a child's development.
Without this backbone of a family,this is where voilence and criminals are from, a person who did not have a great father on their life.
Beautiful story. Beautiful attitude. Beautiful soul.
So, So happy for you, things unfold the way they are suppose to. Love your spirit!!! Kudos to your parents!!!
RYAN I met my biological father too. never my mom. I agree with your videos AMAZING! BLESS YOU!
You are such a positive upbeat young man & when you were describing your 1st meeting with your Dad you'd think you were describing yourself, Ryan you are your father.
This has definitely encouraged me to go for it
ahhhhh this made me feel so many emotions! so happy for you 💓
I just found out I have a 32 year old daughter, she found me through Ancestry. I am so happy I can't wait to see her 😊
I’m crying ! Been crying for 3 minutes because I’m just so happy for u. My brother just made me an aunt and I found out that his girlfriend was actually adopted so it feels so surreal to me because I never had to deal with something so sensitive. She’s a Korean adoptee and I love her with all my heart. Im glad she’s part of my family because I love her and if she wanted to go back to Korea to find her family I would definitely go and support her
Amazing journey. Congratulations to all of you!
How wonderful for you and your family. I found my birth daughter 32 years ago when she turned and 18 (we have an incredible connection) and just this week, 50 years later she has found her birth father thru a family connection on Ancestry; it's been a long journey for her. They have spoken and his family is welcoming her with open arms. We could not have asked for a better 50th birthday present for her.
I found my Mom and she passed away 4 months prior. I wish I started earlier. I couldn’t afford too. Never found my Dad. Met my Gma and Uncle and cousins/
I met my birth father first in 2010 and my birth mom in 2015. I never felt hate or anger towards my birth parents as they were 15 years old when I was born. They were just to young to do it. I still have an incredible relationship with both. My dad lives far away but my mom moved closer to me, even lived with me for about a year. I was blessed with amazing parents who raised me and I couldn't have asked for a different story of my life. It is perfect and im still writing my journey .
It's really brave sharing your story. So glad you guys found each other.
Your story is beautiful!! My daughter is adopted, but the truth is I forget sometimes. It’s important for me to remember that she will go through this and need all my love and support!! I’m excited for the day she gets to meet her other family and make connections with them. I know she will always be my baby, no matter who she finds along life’s way. 💕
I bet your whole family is so proud of you❤🎉
I need an update! I'm also adopted and have been struggling with the same questions that you were... Thank you so much for sharing your story
I'd be so proud to learn you were my son.
It makes me happy to see your story and that you have been able to find answers to those hidden and unknown questions that adoptees grow up with if they know they are adopted. You are blessed that your bio-father is now present in your life. An adoptee myself, I found my bio parents a few weeks ago. They married after I was placed for adoption…. I’m exchanging emails at the moment so who knows where this is heading. It’s stories like yours that pushed me to finally look for them at almost 50 years of age. I’m nervous, but it is what it is.
I am just crying through the whole video. I'm so happy for you, my heart is exploding. I'm so glad everything has worked out how it has.
What a great story. Your adoptive family has done a wonderful job raising and teaching you to be a sweet man. Thank you for not having a chip on your shoulder. We never know what goes on at the time in someone's life that it calls for such drastic matters as giving up your flesh and blood. I hope to see you have a meeting with your mom soon. God bless you and tell your mom and dad they did an awesome job!!!
oh, I'm so glad this story had a positive outcome. I watched the initial video on FB. a while back and hoped for the very best for him!
I am so glad it worked out for you. I have often wondered how many people apply to the show "Long Lost Family" and their story never reaches the air because the parent/s do not wish to be found. It did happen once. A woman was adopted and she gave up a daughter. Her biological mother welcomed here with open arms. However, the daughter she gave up did not wish a meeting. However, she did send a nice text expressing her gratitude for her life.
Congratulations! That’s awesome that you were welcomed in so warmly
I love that your shared this experience with us. I love the gratitude and love you have for your birth mother. My bestfriend was abused and impregnated at 15 and wanted to keep the baby but her biological family abandoned her "for being a whore" and she knew she couldnt raise a baby alone and chose for adoption. 10 years later, her baby asked her adoptive family about her bio mom and they decided she was old enough to get to choose to meet so they finally did. Today they have a healthy loving realtionship. The parents of the baby have sudo-adopted her into the family. Her baby knows my friend is the woman who brought her into the world and loves when she visits. My friend finally has a family who adores her the way she should be and its all because she choose to give that little baby up for adoption. It was the best decision for them both ❤
Beautiful, I have recently found cousins in the US (Ancestry DNA) and our relationship is awesome, I live in Sydney. God Bless you, thanks for the video
Your description of your birth father was lovely, you obviously are very like him! Thank you for sharing x 🙏🏼😁
Ryan- I love this video. You told this story beautifully. I recently found my birth father this past May. We have a wonderful friendship and looking into the eyes of half of you is a feeling I cannot describe. I’m very happy for you! I hope we both have long and happy lives with our new friends.
I’m not adopted, just someone who scrolled through and saw the video post. Omg! It was beautiful! So happy for you! What a great outcome. I’m sure this very scenario is what most mothers want for their children. Blessings to you and yours!
Wow this is beautiful.
OMG, what a great story! I found my birth mother a few years ago. I haven't met her yet and I think I was meant to see this video :) Thanks Ryan.
Thanks for watching!
I love these stories. They're beautiful and hit you right in the feels. I've become more cynical with age, so these type of stories give me some hope in humanity.
You are a top flight young man. Me thinks you inherited some of that. Thanks for sharing.
So so happy for you Ryan! Awesome story!
Oh my gosh Ryan you make me cry with your stories. God bless you and I hope one day you meet your mom too💕
What a beautiful story! I grew up without parents, was plopped at my Grandparents door who felt overwhelmed with 3 grandkids to raise. I often wished I had been adopted out so at least I would be loved. Instead I was abandoned, made to feel like a burden and had to try and answer the same question from everyone around me that a child cannot answer "Where are your parents, and why did they abandon you?" Your mom gave you a gift. Although I do wish she had at least told your dad, but then your life would have been different and it turned out so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.
Ryan, what a wonderful story. I cried with happiness the whole way through the video. God has certainly blessed you. Cheers to you and your family.
You are a great person , your adopted family have raised a kind caring person . What a great job . Happiness and love your way.
Mary Slocum And Grandma is AWESOME !! 💝
Your kind and positive attitude is the best part of this story. Love to hear the news.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I’m on this exact same journey and just did 23&me 💜 this is so encouraging
I’m so happy for you that this has been such a positive and affirming experience for you. I wish I could say the same about meeting my biological families. Ultimately, I decided to cease contact with my mother 9 years ago after 12 years of difficult contact. I’ve stayed in touch with my father, with mixed results. We are both very similar in our mannerisms and quirks, yet worlds apart in our social, political, and religious beliefs. I am definitely one of the odd ducks of his family.
Beautiful. I am a birth mom and found my son 27 years ago. It has been such a beautiful experience. He was blessed to grow up in wonderful home. I love them, too. We have all become the best of friends and family.
Aww, I remember you Mother’s Day Video on FB. I’m so happy for you!! I hope you meet your biological mom and it goes just as great! I love that your parents have been so great about you finding them! That’s love!
I recently met my bio father n i'm 41. I have a few memories of him when i was extremely young, but had no contact in all those years.
It's been an emotional journey. I wish you well!
As an adoptee, I had my birth records opened legally in 1981. It's fabulous knowing where your DNA comes from. Congratulations!
You're very lucky to have so many people genuinely care for you, on all sides. Most people's stories are not like that, adopted or not. I'm happy for you.
Love these stories, my dad was adopted and I have since met my bio family and it’s so strange the connection you have from the moment you meet them.. everything falls into place and to meet people you look like is so wild! I am a spitting image of my dads birth mom and out personalities are almost identical,. I never did get to meet her, but I am in constant contact with cousins and a sister of hers and have recently made contact with some of paternal side as well.. they all live in the same area where my father grew up which is mind blowing!! I am so happy to see you got this gift of meeting your dad!!! It’s amazing when you find that part of yourself and it’s not to dismiss your adoptive parents at all. What your bio mom did I’m sure was the hardest thing she ever did .. and she most likely has never forgotten about you. I hope there is a follow up video!
Oh, so happy for you!!! ❤️
started watching these stories today due to thinking about my son alot these days... You bring hope to me that my son will not hate me completely for this descion
Twighlight Princess
If you did the best you could for him I don't think he could ever hate you.
jigglypuff52 Thank you for that.
I am an adoptee and also an adopter so I see it from both sides and I have never ever felt any anonomosity towards my birth mother for giving me up. No one makes that decision easily and I had a great childhood in a loving family with wonderful adoptive parents, so please don't beat yourself up for your decision, you want the best for your child and that is love IMO. Take care and I hope one day he will look you up and thank you in person, but please leave that decision to him as I do feel it should be the adoptees decision to search and not the birth parents as he has to feel the time is right for him and if you intrude into his life when he is not ready, you could cause all sorts of problems for him, so please be patient and leave the decision to search to him. If you put your DNA on websites, he will find you if he wants to.
I'm older than you but I'm a generation down from you in that my mum is an adoptee, and I was the first blood relative that she met. I grew up with her telling me things that sound just like you especially the experience of never having looked into someone else's face and seeing your own. She went onto find her bio mum's family and when I was in my 20s I found her bio dad's family, and I finally understood something she had said. I met these strangers, and I saw my face in theirs. It was intense. It worked out for the best. Good luck to you!
So happy for you and your loved ones ❤️. The timing is always the right timing, I believe.
I'm an adoptee....closed adoption. I too feel grateful for the amazing life I've had with my adoptive family! Just trying to start to seek ....want to know more about my health and history. Hope the gift of sharing me with my family gave birth parents the gift of having their own journey in their own time. Thank you!
My friends dad, and my mom's co-worker were both adopted, and were able to find their biological mother and father. Unfortunately for my friends dad, he was just so anxious to meet him that he showed up on his dad's doorstep with no warning and it did not go well. He felt ambushed, but they eventually cobbled together enough of a relationship to where their families meet every once in a while. For my mom's co-worker, it went the worst it could go. She found her mom. Her mom said she wanted to meet her. She traveled all the way to see her, and when she got there, her mom would not open the door. She begged and begged and the mom just felt like she couldn't do it, and she's never gotten to ever see her in person or have any type of relationship with her and wishes she had never tried to find her. I hope more people have more positive stories. I've read quite a few in the comments and that warms my heart, but thank you for mentioning that not everyone gets the fairytale ending. For some, they never get answers, or it's too late, and the parent or parents have passed on.
You are the sweetest guy. I just want t give you a hug. You deserve all the blessings in the world.
Congratulations! So happy for you!
What a wonderful story. I discovered I was adopted when I was 35. That was 10 years ago. My mother had just recently died and knowing she had taken me in and taken care of me not being her own threw me to some weird level of excitement and joy, because for the past 6 years, up until her death, I was able to take care of her after a stroke. I was able to see her and help her through many stages in life that she helped me through when I was a child, like eating by herself, sitting up on the bed, walking. So, not only for that, but especially for that, I was grateful. However, maybe because I had such wonderful mum and life I never really cared about blood and DNA and biological parents. I had/have what I had/have and that’s all I need(ed). Thanks for sharing. Take care!
Birth mothers who give up their children so they can have a better life are the truest and bravest of heroes!
Heroes? Seriously? What is “ a better life” if she abandons you?
Probably a better life than having a single mother that couldn’t care for you and was sad. I adore my mom, but I grew up with it being very obvious neither of my parents were ready. It was miserable. I didn’t even know my mom liked me until I was 16, I thought she was indifferent to me because as a kid you don’t understand the emotions of adults. Obviously it’s not the same as being adopted, but having parents that weren’t ready to be parents, it feels like it took me being adult and seeking them out in order to know them. They’re parents but most importantly, they’re people. I think that’s very hard for people to understand.
What a beautiful man inside out! God bless you...your gratitude reach me so deeply...thank you you made me realize i have to practice gratitude every minute 🙏. Your family is awesome ...you all made me cry happy tears. ❤
You’re awesome! I loved getting to know your story. Hugs from Brazil 🇧🇷 ❤️
We Irish are incredibly proud to claim you as one of ours 💚💚💚
Thank You,just this Great news to share with you and family .I hope this works deeply in people’s hearts,it has mine.
Found a half brother I didn't know I had. His mom was a babysitter for my dad and his first wife. I'm happy for you.
So happy that you were able to have such a good experience.
Very beautiful story! Thanks for sharing it! Side note: you have amaaaaazing dimples! 😁
That's amazing! So happy for you!! The suspense of waiting for your next video....😱 Hopefully it's not too far off. Good luck with everything you do! Wishing you the best from California!
Your so lucky to have found your birth family…I sadly found my birth mother 3 months after she had passed. I discovered I had 3 brothers…but no one knew who my birth father was. This was over 20 years ago..I have searched and searched, Ancestry has told me where I come from…and given me cousins galore but still no info of birth father family. Continue joy with your families…