A First Name and a Birthday

Twenty seven years ago last Friday, I gave birth to a baby girl. There is a long, rather uninteresting story that led up to this event. Suffice it to say, at age twenty, I was in no position or in any way prepared to raise a child, regardless of how much I wanted to keep her.

So after much soul searching and many tears, I knew what I had to do. Giving her up was the only option that was best for her - for everyone. My family doctor knew a couple who had been waiting to adopt for many years. They had their attorney. I had mine - they paid for everything. I crocheted a blanket and a hat for the baby, but have no idea if she ever saw them. Otherwise, all I had to do was keep myself and the baby healthy and show up. Then I held her for a little while before they came to get her. She was so beautiful.

Shortly afterwards, my mom came home with some interesting news. One of the women she worked with knew the family. She said they'd named the baby Nicole. Later, when mom asked if she knew anything else, she hemmed and hawed and said little. Apparently she'd been told to keep quiet on the subject.

So, for the past 27 years, I've only had a first name and a birthday. I hired a hobby PI three years ago to see if he could find her. He was no help. During the past month or so I've started to frequent Facebook. Her birthday was last Friday, so she's been in my thoughts more often. Last night I took a chance - and did a profile search with a first name and a birthday. I knew it was a long shot...

I believe I've found her. She's still beautiful and looks very happy. According to her profile, she's very well educated, employed, popular, and appears to be thriving. It's all I ever hoped for - and couldn't have given her. Maybe that's all I really need to know...

There's more, actually. She's got a nose like Hayley's and my eyes. She likes historical fiction and a doesn't seem to think anything of driving halfway across the country for a weekend vacation. It doesn't seem possible that it's not her.

Of course, there is the possibility that the first name, the birthday and the rest are coincidence.

But, since I've found this young woman, my gut is telling me that it would be too much of a coincidence - that maybe, just maybe - a missing piece of my life - of my heart - has been found.