Reunited- 3 weeks out-My story-and it's long-

So here's my story- I've been searching for 20 years. Hitting brick walls my entire search. I'm registered everywhere- not one hit. I went through every emotion- depression, frustration, feeling very lonely. Throughout the years my very good friend has always urged me to never give up. I'd give up for awhile, and then go at it, only to end up frustrated. My non-id was very odd, and very limited. About 2 months ago I saw a commercial for 23 & Me DNA. I said to my husband, omg I want to do this. He said go for it, so I ordered my kit. Meanwhile, the fire suddenly reignited, and I decided to re-join a NY adoptees group on Yahoo that I had been a member of years ago. Little did I know, an angel would change my life forever. I posted my information, and was asked if I got my adoption decree since I was born in Nassau County, NY (the only county that gives this document). I said no. I was urged to get it, and that day I cut and pasted the form letter she told me to use, and filled in my info. I sent a copy of my license and birth certificate with it. Two weeks later, my life would change. I walked to the mailbox, and saw a letter with the return address from Nassau County Surrogates Court. I figured it would just be another disappointment. I opened it, and right there, clear as day, my given name. First, Middle and Last. (I knew my birth first name). My last name was so unusual. With that information, and knowing my mother had to be a resident of Nassau County, my husband, friend and I started googling. There were very few people with that last name in Nassau County. One group was definitly out because there were brothers and sisters (my mother was an only child when I was born). From day 1, at the top of list was my birthmother's name, Donna. only problem, Donna didn't exist anywhere. My search angel helped me greatly, finding my birth grandmother's maiden name- and that's where it really started opening up for me. I was able to find my birthgrandmother on Facebook- still nothing about my mother. I didn't want to make contact until I found what happened to my mother. My wonderful friend let me use her Ancestry account and I was able to gather some family info, and start a tree. Classmates was a great help, too, I had located my mother's photo in a yearbook- amazingly I look nothing like her. I came accross an obscure family tree website, I can't even recall the name of it anymore- where a woman who I am still not sure how I'm related to had built a family tree with my birth grandmother's family name, but had mistakenly listed my birth grandmother as passed. My bgrandmother responded to this person, and essentially put the entire story of her life in her response. My birth mother had passed in 1976. I also found out I have an uncle, who is 2 years younger than me. Now I knew, Donna was passed. I sat on that for a few days, not knowing what to do. I decided to peruse my bgrandmother's friends on facebook, and one of them (with her maiden name) was friends with a mutual friend- I clicked, and it happened to be a good friend whom I've known since highschool. I gave it a shot. I messaged my friend, asked him how well he knew this Anthony person. He said pretty well. I told my friend my story. He agreed to help me, and messaged Anthony. 3 hours later, my life changed. I recieved a friend request from Anthony, and a message back from my friend, call Anthony- he really needs to talk to you. Could this be? We were out to dinner, so I messaged Anthony, Ill call you as soon as I get home. My husband and I never ate so fast in our lives. I called. Yes, Donna is probably my mother. He asked me a few questions, I told him my birthname. It was a lot of oh my gods, and oh wows and I can't believe this. Anthony had spoken to his father, and his cousin before speaking to me to confirm a few things. By the end of the conversation, he was 99.9% sure Donna is my mother, my mother is his first cousin. I also found out how she tragically died at 17. It's heartbreaking. He also told me by birthfather's name..almost an impossible one to find- John Smith. He would speak to his father the next day, and his father would contact my birthgrandmother, and we would go from there. The next morning my phone rings, I answer, And the woman on the other side says, Hi , this is your Grandmother. We talked for awhile. Got to know each other a bit. You couldn't ask for family like this. They were thrilled to hear I had a wonderful life, and were in disbelief that I grew up 2 towns away. They are thrilled to have me back in their lives. I asked about my father, they didn't have much information on him. In the last few weeks, various cousins, uncles and aunts have contacted me, and they have all welcomed me with open arms. These are truly some of the kindest people. It's like I've never been gone. But one thing was still missing, my father. My search angel to my rescue again- I messaged her, Pris, I'm frustrated I can't find my Dad. She was able to locate my father's mother- and get me a phone number. I sat on it for 2 weeks, ultimately overwhelmed already by all of these new people- Monday my grandmother sent me photos of my mom and dad together. Looking at those pictures, I knew I had to call. I called. The woman on the phone confirmed she had a son named John. They did live in Massapequa. I told her why I was calling, gave her my mother's name. I told her I beleve John to be my father, At first she denied everything-said I don't know about any of this. I said I'm sorry, I have the wrong person then. She said, WAIT.. How was your life, what do you look like? I kept pressing her for if I had the right person-she wouldn't confirm or deny.. I told her about contacting my maternal grandparents. She asked that I have them call her. I said I will. She left me with I think you will be happy with what you find out. I called my grandfather and asked him to please call. He did right away. About an hour later, she calls me back. Yes, John is my father. She was so thrilled to hear from me, she's thought about me my entire life. Wondered how I am, who I looked like. My father is alive and well. I have a half sister and a half brother. We talked for an hour. I asked her to have my Dad call me. She said she wants to tell him in person, so it may be a few days. She doesn't know how he will take it, my adoption and my mother's death were very hard on him. I told her I was heading to NY the following weekend, and I would love t see her. She said that would be wonderful. An hour later- my phone rings again- It's my father. The first words out of his mouth, Hi Lisa, it's John, your father. After a few awkward oh my gods..we talked for 7 hours. I was created by two people who loved each other dearly, and we are all victims of Nassau County Social Services, me thankfully getting wonderful adoptive parents. My father was treated like he had no rights, and they had no choice. My mother was his best friend, and the love of his life. They stayed together after I was born, until my mother's death. They talked about me every day, and went through so much hurt together. He loved me from the minute I was born, he's loved me for my whole life, wondered where I am, who I was, if I needed him. I've never been a secret, everyone who's close to him knows about me, even my brother and sister. We've spoken every day since then. I am my father's daughter- through and through. I was lucky enough to have adoptive parents who nurtured my nature, even if they didn't understand it. They taught me to be an individual. To love myself for who am I am, and that being different is special. My Dad is so grateful to them. (Both my a-parents have passed). My Dad can forgive himself, just a little bit now. I loved my Dad instantly. Being apart for 38 years, it doesn't matter. It's a bond that was never broken, not by time nor by absence or distance. We are reuniting in person next weekend. I live about 6 hours away. My life has changed in a little less than a month- I have a Dad again. A Dad who promises me that he will be there for me every day the rest of my life. A Dad who couldn't be prouder to call me his daughter. I have grandparents who love me dearly, I have cousins who love me, and have welcomed me with the openest of arms. Most of all, I have a patient husband who has been with me through all of this, has supported me and couldn't be happier for me. My life is a real live fairytale. There's so much more to this story, but I think this is long enough, for now.