Found my daughter

Hi. I am a birthmom. My daughter was born in New Orleans, LA in 1975. I was 15 when I got pregnant, 16 when I had her, and I was forced to place her for adoption by my mother. I was told if I did not, I had no place to live. She shipped me from Huntsville, AL to New Orleans, LA to Sellers Baptist Home.....thankfully, I fell in love with New Orleans! At the age of 18, I got married, and after losing a pregnancy, I really started the 'hunt' for the daughter I had given up. It was a closed adoption, so I had nothing to go on other than the hospital she was born in and her birth name. It was a struggle that went on for 15-16 years!!! I had 2 other daughters by this marriage, and my family knew from the beginning of this child I had given up. I never kept it from them. I had gotten diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder, and thought I needed to get this medical information to someone, to pass along. I never thought it would turn into a reunion! But...it did! I found out she had grown up only 4 hours away from me, and, although I would have loved to have met her then and there, she had just gone through a really bad situation, so she and her adoptive parents asked if we could hold off on the face-to-face meeting. I was more than willing to wait. We had our first phone call a couple of months before her 19th birthday, and we talked for 4 hours!!!!! What a delight. We talked frequently from that point on, and started making plans to meet in person. We decided it would be just her and I, and we would meet in neutral territory, so we choose a hotel mid-way between where she lived and where I lived. I got there a bit before she did, and when they called to be sure it was OK to send her up to the room, my heart was in my throat! She knocked on the door, and I couldn't get it open fast enough. I took her face in my hands, and started to cry. We spent 2 days together..staying in the same room, and had a blast! Her adoptive mother was so kind and thoughtful, and sent me photos of 'our' daughter from the time they adopted her to that current time. In return, I sent her a copy of our daughter's hospital photo. I have met her adoptive parents, and am so thankful that they gave her a wonderful home, and enriched her life with love and music. They also had told her from a very early age that she was adopted, and that her birth mother loved her so much. It's been 17 years since that first phone call, and we are still very close. We talk at least once a week on the phone (I've since moved and am now about 5.5 hours away from her)..sometimes more. I go to visit her, and she comes to visit us. She has a wonderful relationship with her sisters. About 12 years ago, we found her birth father, and they also forged a relationship. Not as strong as the one she and I have, unfortunately. He has since passed away. It was a very hard, rocky journy to find her, but it's one I'd do again, without question. I wish all reunions could turn out like mine, but I know that's an unreasonable wish. I am so thankful, every day, that my daughter was raised to know how much I loved her. Her adoptive mother still has issues with our relationship, so it's not discussed with her much...more out of respect than for any other reason. I can't thank my daughter's parents enough for all they have done for her....and it took such a huge weight off of me, finally knowing the life she had growing up. If you're looking for your child or your birth parent(s) ....don't give up! As I said, it took me close to 16 years. It was worth every tear, every dead-end, every heart-break when I was SURE I was finally there..only to find out I was nowhere but back to square 1. DON'T......GIVE......UP!!!!!! If there are any other Sellers Moms here, that were in New Orleans from about Nov. of 1974 till the last of March, 1975, I'd love to reconnect with some of you. At that time, the only Sellers home was at 2010 Peniston Street. I will never forget that place!