Utah Adoption Reunion Stories

Discover heartfelt reunion tales from the Utah adoption community. These stories showcase the emotional journey of reconnecting with birth families and the profound impact it has on everyone involved.

A Surprising Twist: Holly’s Reunion with Her Son

Holly Shearer faced a difficult decision at 15 choosing Utah adoption for her unborn child. Years later, her son Benjamin sought her out, leading to a heartwarming reunion. Despite living just miles apart and even working in the same hospital, they were unaware of their connection until fate intervened. After discovering a reunion was possible, Benjamin Hulleberg said, “I was not willing to wait any longer. I’d waited 20 years and that was long enough for me.” Their reunion not only brought them together but also introduced Benjamin to his half-siblings, creating a bond that transcends distance and time.

Source: GMA by Yi-Jin Yu

As Holly and Benjamin got to know each other, they realized something incredible—they had been living near each other all along, even working at the same hospital, yet they had never met. This realization added another special layer to their reunion, showing how fate had kept them close without them even knowing it.

Discovering their closeness reminded them of the strong bond they shared, which had endured despite being separated for so long. Their reunion didn’t just bring happiness to them but also to their families. Meeting Benjamin’s half-siblings opened up new connections and made their lives richer. As they embraced their newfound relationship, Holly and Benjamin treasured each moment, grateful for the unexpected twists that brought them together. Their story is a reminder that love can overcome any distance or time apart.

An Unexpected Discovery: Matthew’s Reunion with His Niece

Matthew Lopez, a member of the Due West band, discovered his long-lost niece, McKenna, during an American Idol audition. McKenna, unaware of her biological family, embarked on a journey to uncover her roots, leading to a tearful reunion. Their emotional meeting captured hearts, showcasing the power of family bonds that transcend time and distance.

Source: St. George News by Jessi Bang

Matthew Lopez, a member of the Due West band, had a remarkable encounter during an American Idol audition that led to a heartwarming reunion with his long-lost niece, McKenna. McKenna, unaware of her biological family, embarked on a journey to uncover her roots, which culminated in a tearful reunion with Matthew. Their emotional meeting touched many hearts, highlighting the enduring power of family connections.

Matthew’s sister, Amy, faced challenges when she was diagnosed with lupus at a young age. Despite her illness, she made the difficult decision to place her baby girl, McKenna, for adoption. The adoption was closed, meaning there was limited contact between the birth and adoptive families. Tragically, Amy passed away, leaving McKenna to navigate life without knowing her biological family.

Years later, a documentary about Amy’s life revealed McKenna’s adoption, sparking a search for her birth family. Through online research, McKenna discovered Matthew’s family and reached out, leading to an emotional reunion. The moment they connected over FaceTime was poignant, as McKenna’s resemblance to her late mother left Matthew breathless. Their bond deepened as they discovered shared mannerisms and qualities. When McKenna decided to audition for American Idol, the producers saw the potential for a powerful story and invited Matthew’s family to surprise her during the audition. The emotional reunion on set captured hearts and showcased the beauty of their newfound relationship.

As they continue to nurture their bond, Matthew and McKenna’s story serves as a testament to the resilience of family ties and the joy of unexpected reunions. Their journey reminds us that love and connection can transcend time and distance, bringing healing and hope to those who seek it.

Embracing Reunion After Decades: Jamee’s First Meeting with Her Mother

After 29 years, Jamee reunited with her birth mother in an emotional encounter filled with relief and gratitude. Despite years of separation, their connection was immediate, affirming the enduring love between a mother and her child. Through tears of joy, they embarked on a journey of rediscovery, cherishing every moment of their newfound relationship.

Source: Good Morning America by GMA Team

Jamee’s emotional reunion with her birth mother after 29 years was a moment filled with relief and gratitude. Despite the long years of separation, their connection was immediate, highlighting the enduring love between a mother and her child. As they embraced each other through tears of joy, they embarked on a journey of rediscovery, cherishing every moment of their newfound relationship.

Jamee’s birth mother shared her story on TikTok, revealing that she was 19 when she became pregnant. Only her parents and two of her siblings knew about the pregnancy. She moved away to give birth and returned home, never discussing the child she placed for adoption. Despite the years passing, she always worried about her firstborn child and prayed for her well-being.

Their first reunion brought immense relief to Jamee’s birth mother, knowing that her daughter was healthy, happy, and had a loving family. She had received a Facebook message five years ago, in which Jamee reached out to inquire if she was her biological mother. From that moment, Jamee’s birth mother hoped that her daughter would find her, believing that it should be Jamee’s decision to reconnect. Despite living far apart, they make efforts to stay connected through visits, texts, calls, and social media, cherishing their bond.

A Lifelong Journey: Rachel’s Search for Her Birth Mother

Rachel Ruiz spent a decade searching for her birth mother, Angie Howard, finally reuniting after 34 years of separation. Their emotional meeting, facilitated by an at-home DNA test, brought closure and reaffirmed the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter. Despite the years apart, their resemblance and shared traits revealed the undeniable connection they shared.

Source: Daily Mail by Erica Nardozzi

Rachel Ruiz’s emotional reunion with her birth mother, Angie Howard, after 34 years of separation was a deeply moving experience. Their meeting, facilitated by an at-home DNA test, brought closure and reaffirmed the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter. Despite the decades apart, their resemblance and shared traits immediately revealed the undeniable connection they shared.

Rachel, adopted at two weeks old by Brent and Mariann Haslam from Utah, had always known she was adopted. She began her search for her birth parents as she got older, but with little information to go on due to her closed adoption, progress was slow. However, on her 18th birthday, her parents gave her a knit blanket and a letter from her birth mother, Angie, expressing her hope for a reunion someday.

Rachel’s search gained momentum when she took an Ancestry.com DNA test in 2014, which led her to her maternal grandfather, Richard Deveraux. Despite initial setbacks, she eventually found Angie on Facebook and reached out to her. The emotional response from Angie, expressing her longing for this day for 34 years, was overwhelming.

Their reunion, which took place on January 26, 2023, was filled with joy and tears as Rachel finally met her birth mother. The resemblance between them was striking, and Rachel felt like she was looking in a mirror. She also learned about her half-sister, Treasure, and her late half-brother, DJ, who passed away from cancer as a child.

Rachel’s blended family, including her stepdaughter, adopted son, and a baby girl on the way, embraced this new chapter in their lives. She shared their heartwarming reunion on TikTok, which quickly went viral, touching the hearts of millions.

The video captured the emotional moment when Rachel and Angie embraced, expressing their gratitude for each other and the journey that led them to this point. Thousands of people shared their support and well-wishes in the comments, moved by the love between mother and daughter finally reunited after so many years apart.

On Instagram, Rachel reflected on the miracle of their reunion, expressing gratitude for Angie and the opportunity to finally meet her birth family. Despite the years of wondering and searching, Rachel found closure and joy in this unexpected reunion, cherishing every moment of their newfound connection.

A Remarkable Reunion After 95 Years: Discovering Long-lost Family

The descendants of George Dodge and Chester Sweet, separated as children, found each other nearly a century later through DNA testing. Their reunion, filled with tears and laughter, bridged decades of separation and revealed a family history rich with love and resilience. Through their journey, they honored the memory of their ancestors, finding solace in the connections they forged.

Source: The Salt Lake Tribune by Brennan Smith

George Dodge spent a lifetime searching for his younger brother Chester, never giving up hope of finding him. His daughters, Ellen Dodge Mallinson and Georgia Dodge Spear, continued his quest, tirelessly researching genealogy and DNA databases for clues to Chester’s whereabouts. Their perseverance paid off when they finally found a DNA match, Robert Sweet, Chester’s son, in Pennsylvania.

The reunion between Robert Sweet and his newfound Dodge relatives was a joyous occasion, as generations of family members came together to exchange stories and memories. Despite the years of separation, they found solace in their shared history and celebrated the resilience of their ancestors.

As they gathered at the Bountiful Tabernacle for lunch, the Dodges and Sweet descendants reflected on the impact of their reunion and the connections forged across time and distance. Through their journey, they honored the memory of George and Chester, finding comfort in the belief that their reunion was guided by the spirits of their long-lost loved ones.