Advertisements
Advertisements
Backstory: I'm a 22 year old woman, raised by my birthmother and her first husband, who married her when I was three and adopted me two years later. I always knew that my dad was not my biological father; although my step-parent adoption was not discussed while I was growing up, I remember the wedding. I remember being asked if I wanted to be adopted, and I remember choosing my name and going to the courthouse for the adoption to be finalized. My birth father has never been a part of my life. When I was in my mid-teens, my maternal aunt told me the little that she knew about my birth father, including his name. It was enough for me to locate him, though I did not do so until Oct. 2007, during my last semester of college. I was hesitant to contact him at that time, and wanted the confirmation that I'd found the right person. It was not a pleasant experience, but in Feb. 2009, I talked to my mother about my birth father; she does not know that my aunt told me anything or that I had already located a person. She did give me his name and mailing address--the same information that I had already found, so I got the confirmation I'd wanted.
Since then, I've struggled with the decision of how and when to contact him. I have written about twenty drafts of a first contact letter, and I have a lot of anxiety about sending it (which I think is pretty normal.) His phone number is unlisted, but I do not wish for the first contact to be by phone anyway. According to my mother, he did not believe he was my father and wanted me to be given up for adoption. She has assured me that if I try to contact him, I will have the door slammed in my face. My dad, on the other hand, was initially a little hurt, but is fully supportive of my search. I am prepared (as much as I can be) for my birth father to be less than thrilled with any contact from me. I would like to believe that his decision not to parent came from being a scared 22 year old guy who got the rebound girl pregnant (as I've been told) and that he's fundamentally a decent person, but I'm trying not to have any expectations, in case this does not end well.
I do not believe that his wife, parents, or other family members have the slightest clue that I exist. I anticipate that my contact will be a major shock. The Cliff Notes version of my letter (it's about two pages in full form):
"I am [L]. My mother is [R] and I was born [when]. She has no doubt that you are my biological father. I understand your decision not to parent, and I'm not angry at you for it. I'm not trying to destroy your life by contacting you. I don't want money or for you to put me on your next Christmas card. I just want answers; I'd like to know medical information and, due to my interest in geneaology, family history. I understand that this letter must come as a huge shock and that you will need time to process it; it hasn't been easy for me to write either. I have not contacted anyone else in your family, because I believe that you should have the first opportunity to do that, in the way you see best. However, if you are not prepared for me to be in your life at this time, I respectfully ask that you give your mother & family the information needed to make that choice for themselves. Here's how you can contact me."
(It sounds much less flippant in the actual draft, of course. The big things were that I wanted to assure him that I'm not after anything more than information, and that I have considered the effect that this letter and situation will likely have on him and that I'm not angry at his decision not to parent.)
I think I'm also going to include a picture or two. A few concerns I have: if it's true that he didn't believe he was my father, should I offer to go through DNA testing in this letter, or see how he responds to the first contact? How much should I say about myself? I think it's probably best to stick with the basic facts I've given in this draft, rather than giving off the "look at all the great things about me, now love me please" vibe--why offer any more than name/birthdate until I know he even wants to know it? I am planning to send this letter certified mail w/ return receipt information so that I know he received it, but how long is reasonable to give him to reply?
The only time I've ever felt angry in this whole experience was when I learned that my biological grandfather had died without me ever having the chance to meet him. I do not want this to happen with any of my other biological family, and I do believe that his mother has the right to know that she has another granddaughter and make her own decision about whether to know me. I have contact information for his mother, all three of his siblings and their spouses, and have located two aunts, as well as my sister (!!) on Facebook. My sister, and I suspect a brother, are both minors. For that reason, I will not contact his other children if he chooses not to respond to my letter, but would it be wrong of me to send a contact letter to my grandmother if a reasonable amount of time passes without a response from him?
I'd just appreciate any insight or advice anyone can offer. Does anyone have any experience contacting birth fathers who knew, but hadn't told any of their family? How did that go? I'm also worried about his wife's reaction--I can't imagine the pain this might cause her, and his kids--goodness knows they've probably got enough general teenage angst without finding out about their father's other child...I know that there's never going to be a way for me to know that this is the "right time" in their lives for me to make contact. I know this is the right time for me, so I'm just trying to do everything I can to make this first contact as "right" as possible. I only get one first impression, after all...
It sounds like you have put quite a bit of thought into this, which is good, of course. I do like the tone of your letter. Return receipt requested is a good idea as well; you might also mention that you would appreciate a response one way or the other so you can be sure he actually read it. It's always difficult when you don't get a response, and you're left wondering whether he is ignoring you or never got the letter. There's always the possibility that his wife could open the letter first (I presume she is allowed to sign for a letter addressed to him???), and that opens up other situations.
I think it's okay to mention that you would be willing to participate in DNA testing if he wished. I think a short paragraph about yourself would be nice -- your education level or achievements, your occupation, interests or hobbies, etc. You don't need to go into a lot of detail. Pictures are always good.
I agree that you shouldn't contact his children until they are adults (if he refuses contact with you, I believe you have the right to try to befriend your half-siblings when they are older and have moved away from home). As far as contacting his mother and other relatives, I am not sure -- maybe you ought to see how things go, and then start a new post on this forum asking that question...you might get more responses in the seemingly more popular Adult Adoptee section.
It's good that you are preparing yourself in case he is not receptive. It doesn't look promising that he denied paternity back then, but maybe he is more mature now. I think you have to send your letter; otherwise you will never know -- there never is a "right time" -- and you can't spend your life waiting and wondering...
When I learned the identities of my bparents, they were long deceased. I wrote my half-sis (my bmom's older daughter) who was not happy that I had surfaced. I brought back a lot of painful memories from her childhood (she and her brother hated my bdad). She did call me and told me some facts about my bmom, but she doesn't want me to contact anyone else in the family, including her brother. It annoys me to be the family secret -- my bgrandparents are long gone, but I have adult nieces and nephews that have no idea that I exist. I would love to contact them all, but I'm just hoping that my half-sis might eventually accept me. I'm playing by her rules for now.
My bdad later married and had 3 children (all adults now) -- I wouldn't want to hurt his widow, but someday I plan to write my half-siblings. My bdad was a sneaky guy, and I'm sure he never told anyone that he was already a father. I figure I have nothing to lose if I contact my paternal half-sibs.
So I wish you lots of luck -- you'll never know how he'll respond -- could be good or could be bad -- but I think you have every right to send that letter. Best of wishes!
Advertisements
contacted my son after 33years..he had made contact via family.
my wife and children knew of their 1/2 brother..
i never contacted because i felt he may not want contact..
6months after i organised he visit as we live worlds apart..
6weeks know and ok..
still some apprehension but over all including granparents having a surreal experience..
7 years ago ..i went to contact felt time not right ..may be or maybe not ..
today ok..lot of emails and calls before visit ..easy does it and lots reading ..
hope all goes well..
climbed the sydney harbour bridge..experience was one i will cherish ..so unreal as was our first ftf..sureal to say the least...i never had the experience with my dad as .we met once and that was it ..
I am no expert but I am of the opinion that a 2 page introduction letter is too much. It is too much drama up front to break the ice. Keep it short and sweet and avoid mentioning anything like "I understand your decision not to parent". Also put in a postcard with the usual check boxes (I need time, I am not interested, Let's talk, etc...)
Then give it time. It is a process that cannot be rushed no matter how either side wants it to go.
Although he may be your biological father, you will still a stranger to him and his family and even though you want a relationship with all of the family, it all starts with you and him. To sound cliche, he is the nut that needs to be cracked first.
You only get the one chance to make a first impression. Best wishes.
I am by no means an expert at this as I have jsut been informed that my biological mother started a search for me. That was several months, a flood, and a completely different thread.
I would encourage you to maybe not mention "I understand your decision not to parent, and I'm not angry at you for it." That comes off almost abrasive to me. That may just be me being a softy though. I think including some information about yourself may be a great thing to break the ice as well. I understand you dont want it to be to personal, but it may make it easier to relate and respond.
Just my two bits, I wish you well and have my fingers crossed for you.
Hi Serieusement, my story is somewhat like yours. I was never adopted by my mother's husband. My mom died when I was nine, I was to young to get alot of information regarding my bdad. Long story short, I'm 44 years old and finally found him about a month ago. All these years he has never tried to find me or my twin brother, but he may not of even knew he was a dad. I wrote a letter and mailed it on May 20, 2009. Now the wait is very hard. My letter was short but to the point. I took words from the letter that is suggested on this board. I dont have it with me, this is my letter in so many words:
Dear XXXX,
I'm not sure how to start this letter. I am looking for (name of person). Let me establish who I am then I will know if I have the correct (name). I was born on (dob) in (city, state) I was given the name (your name) on my birth certificate my mothers name is listed as (birth mother) and my fathers name is listed as (birth father). My mother passed away when I was nine years old so I am unable to get further information from her.
To establish that I have the correct (name of person). The man I'm looking for married (birth mother name) on (date of marriage) in (place of marriage). On the marriage applicaton he was (age) from (place).
I can't remember what the sample letter said but went on to say how I didn't want anything from him. I don't want to disrupt his life. If he doesn't want a relationship with me that is fine, but I would like him to write to me either way so I know I've made contact.
Hope this helps
Karen
Advertisements