My adopted children got a letter from their birth mother the day before my 86th birthday. Instead of celebrating with me, they decided to meet her. What they learned was shocking and changed everything.
“Mom, I know you and Dad gave us so much love, but I can’t lie. I’m curious about this woman,” my daughter Emily said over the phone. I thought she was calling to confirm plans for my birthday, but she had something serious to tell me. I didn’t realize how much I wasn’t ready for it.
Many years ago, my husband Kevin and I wanted children, but after trying for so long, nothing happened. It broke my heart, especially since I felt like I wasn’t enough. Kevin also had fertility issues, but I couldn’t stop worrying about it.
When we were almost 40, we applied to adopt, and a pregnant teenager chose us. We were so happy! We were open to letting her stay involved, but she preferred a closed adoption. We respected her wishes.
Soon after, we discovered she was having twins—a boy and a girl! Without hesitation, we adopted them both, named them Emily and Ethan, and gave them all the love we could.
We were in our 40s, financially secure, and ran a business that gave us plenty of time to spend with our kids. It was challenging at times, but we wouldn’t change anything.
Kevin and I adored watching our babies sleep, and Kevin would often say, “This was the best decision we ever made.” I would smile back, my heart full of love.
Emily grew up loving sports, especially basketball, and earned a scholarship to UCLA. Ethan, on the other hand, was brilliant, excelling in school and math. He got into Stanford, and although it was hard to see him go, we were so proud.
Life went on, and they got married and had children of their own. But when Kevin passed away when we were 80, I was devastated. Luckily, Emily and her husband Richard, and Ethan and his wife Susan, supported me through it all.
One day, Emily told me, “Mom, we’ll always be here for you. I want my kids to have a happy grandma who bakes cookies!” That made me smile through my grief.
But then Emily’s phone call changed everything.
“But honey, it’s my birthday tomorrow,” I said, surprised that Emily and Ethan weren’t coming. My health hadn’t been great, and I was hoping to see my family. Emily’s silence told me something was wrong.
“Mom, we got a letter from a woman claiming to be our birth mother,” Emily revealed. She wanted to meet us tomorrow. I was shocked.
The adoption had been closed, so this was completely unexpected. Emily sounded upset, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of me or the situation.
“I didn’t think it mattered,” I tried to explain, my voice trembling. “I can tell you everything now. But why on my birthday?”
“Mom, she doesn’t live in Pasadena anymore, and Ethan and I are mad you didn’t tell us. We need time to think.”
My heart sank. “Please come over tonight, and we can talk it out.” But Emily needed time. She promised to call later, but her voice was choked with emotion. I could hear her crying.
The next day was my birthday, but I didn’t hear from my kids. It was heartbreaking. Friends and cousins sent birthday greetings, but nothing from Emily or Ethan.
I wondered if they had already met their birth mother. I felt abandoned and unsure if they were angry with me.
Just as I was about to go to bed, the doorbell rang.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” my family shouted. Emily and Ethan stood at the door with a cake. I couldn’t believe it. They had come after all!
We hugged, and tears filled my eyes. I was so relieved and happy. We celebrated together, and the kids brought food, gifts, and joy to my home. But Emily pulled me aside to talk privately.
“Mom, you don’t have to apologize for anything,” she told me. Ethan agreed, explaining that they felt conflicted and needed time to process everything. I was grateful for their words, but I had to ask about their birth mother.
Emily sighed and told me, “It didn’t go well. We don’t trust her.”
“Why not?” I asked.
“She talked about herself for hours,” Emily explained. “She didn’t seem interested in getting to know us, just her accomplishments.”
Ethan added, “And then she told us she’s sick, and it seemed like she just wanted something from us.”
They didn’t feel like she had been looking for them for years as she claimed. It was all about what she needed from them.
“I don’t think I want to talk to her again,” Ethan said.
Emily, however, was conflicted. But then she looked at me and said, “You’re my mom. You’ve always been my only mom.”
Tears filled my eyes again, and we hugged. Even Ethan, who was usually so serious, was emotional.
“A mother is the one who raises you, not the one who gives birth to you,” Ethan added.
At that moment, I knew that everything would be alright. Their love for me was strong, and I was still their mom.
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Emily’s words warmed my heart like nothing else could. “You’re my mom. You’ve always been my only mom.” For a moment, time stood still, and all the confusion and fear I had been carrying dissolved into the embrace of my children. I held them close, their warmth reminding me of all the years we had shared, all the laughter, all the tears. Nothing could erase that.
As we stood there, huddled together, I realized that this was the moment I had feared for so long. When they were children, I had often wondered whether there would come a day when they’d want to seek out their birth mother, and how that would affect our relationship. But here we were, and they were still mine.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier,” I said softly, brushing the tears from my cheeks. “I just never wanted you to feel different or unloved. I wanted you to know that you were my children, no matter what.”
Ethan, ever the logical one, squeezed my hand. “Mom, we know that now. It was confusing at first, but the more we thought about it, the more we realized that nothing could change the bond we have with you.”
Emily nodded, wiping her eyes. “Yeah, and meeting Amanda—it put things into perspective. She may have given birth to us, but she wasn’t there for the scraped knees, the late-night talks, or the big moments in our lives. You were. You are our mother.”
I looked at both of them, their grown faces reflecting the same expressions I had seen since they were children—so much love, even when they were upset or unsure. They were the best parts of me and Kevin, the family we had built together.
“You know,” I began, trying to gather my thoughts. “There was a time when I worried about what would happen if you ever found out. I wondered if it would change how you saw me. But now I see that it didn’t matter. You’ve always been mine, and I’ve always been yours.”
Emily wrapped her arms around me again. “It didn’t change anything. If anything, it just made us appreciate you more. You didn’t have to take us in, but you did, and you gave us the best life. That means more than anything.”
“I’m just sorry you had to go through all this on your birthday,” Ethan added, looking apologetic. “We didn’t mean to hurt you, Mom. We just needed to figure things out.”
I smiled softly, shaking my head. “You did what you needed to do. I understand. And honestly, the fact that you’re here now—well, it’s the best birthday gift I could’ve ever asked for.”
We stood there for a few more moments, just holding on to each other, before Emily spoke again. “There’s something else,” she said, her voice tentative.
I looked at her, unsure of what else could come after everything that had happened. “What is it, honey?”
“We talked about it, Ethan and I, and… we don’t think we’re going to have any more contact with Amanda,” she admitted. “After everything she said, we realized that her motives weren’t pure. She didn’t reach out because she wanted to be part of our lives. She just wanted something from us.”
Ethan nodded in agreement. “It felt more like a transaction to her. She barely asked about us, Mom. It was all about her. We left that meeting feeling used, not reunited.”
My heart ached for them. I had worried that meeting Amanda would cause them pain, and it had. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that,” I said, pulling them close again. “You deserved better.”
“We have better,” Emily replied, her voice filled with conviction. “We have you.”
I smiled, but there was still something bothering me. “I don’t want to tell you what to do, but… if you ever want to know more about your birth mother, or if you change your mind and want to explore that relationship, I won’t hold it against you. You deserve to know your full story, whatever that means.”
Emily and Ethan exchanged a glance before Ethan spoke up. “We’ve talked about that too, and maybe someday we’ll want to know more. But right now, we’re happy with the life we’ve built—with you. We’re not ready to bring Amanda into our lives, especially after everything that happened.”
Emily added, “We realized something important after meeting her: family isn’t just about blood. It’s about love and the time you spend together. And you gave us everything we needed. You are our family.”
I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer. Hearing them say those words—words I had hoped for but never expected to hear—was the greatest gift I could have received. They didn’t need to choose between me and Amanda. In their hearts, I had always been their mother, and nothing could change that.
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice shaky with emotion. “Thank you for coming back to me.”
“We never left, Mom,” Ethan said, smiling gently. “We were just a little lost for a minute.”
As the night wore on, we joined the rest of the family. The grandkids were laughing and playing, the house was filled with warmth and love, and for the first time in days, I felt truly at peace. We ate, we laughed, and I opened the thoughtful gifts they had brought. But the real gift was their presence, their love, and the reassurance that we were still the close-knit family we had always been.
At one point, Emily caught my eye from across the room and smiled. “Happy birthday, Mom,” she mouthed, and I smiled back, my heart swelling with gratitude.
As I sat in my living room that night, surrounded by my family, I realized that no matter what happened in the future, this moment was everything. My children knew who their real mother was, and I knew that I had done my best by them. There were no more secrets, no more worries about what could be. Just the knowledge that love—real, unconditional love—was what held us all together.
And as I blew out my birthday candles, I made a wish. Not for anything new or different, but for more moments like this. Moments filled with love, laughter, and the joy of being together. Because in the end, that’s all that truly mattered.
Jaclyn Smith’s Surprising Love Story: How a Doctor Who Saved Her Father Became Her Soulmate at 51!
Jaclyn Smith, famous for her role in *Charlie’s Angels*, was married three times before she found true love with Dr. Brad Allen. Together, they faced many challenges, including her fight with cancer, which caused her a lot of worry.
In 1976, ABC launched the iconic show *Charlie’s Angels*, and Jaclyn Smith became a household name. She quickly rose to fame, and her role earned her many awards, including a Golden Globe nomination.
After *Charlie’s Angels*, Jaclyn appeared in many movies and TV shows. However, she wanted more than just a successful career. She dreamed of having a family, being married, and finding true love before starting a family. But finding the right person wasn’t easy for her.
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Jaclyn Smith was married three times before she found the right person, but her past relationships led her to the love of her life. Before becoming famous on *Charlie’s Angels*, she was married to actor Roger Davis from 1968 to 1975.
In 1976, during the time *Charlie’s Angels* was on the air, Jaclyn met her second husband when Dennis Cole guest-starred on the show. They married in 1978, but they separated in 1981. Despite the challenges, Jaclyn remained determined to find true love.
In 1981, Jaclyn married Tony Richmond, a well-known filmmaker. It seemed like she had finally found the right person to start her family. They had two children together: Gaston in 1982 and Spencer Margaret in 1985.
Being a mother became Jaclyn’s main focus. It was much more important than acting or any career. In 2017, she told People:
“The love that you have for your children, it’s like, ‘Oh my God. But this is even bigger — there are no words.”
Sadly, her relationship with their father ended, and they separated in 1989. But the fourth time was the charm. She met Dr. Brad Allen and married him in 1997. Their meeting seemed like something from a movie.
The surgeon, Dr. Brad Allen, had saved her father’s life, and after the surgery, Jaclyn’s mother encouraged him to speak with her. He later walked her to the hospital parking garage so she wouldn’t be alone.
Jaclyn fell in love with him because she saw “a purity of heart” in Allen, as she told *Closer Weekly* in 2014. Now, they are celebrating their 27th anniversary on October 11, and their love has stayed strong, showing that everyone can find the right person if they try enough times.
**Brad Allen: A Great Stepfather and Support During Cancer**
Jaclyn’s most important role is being a mother, and she’s also a grandmother now. But finding the right man meant marrying someone who could love her children, even if he wasn’t their biological father.
Brad Allen was perfect. He became a loving stepfather to Gaston and Spencer. However, their love would face a big test in 2002 that could have ended their relationship.
Jaclyn takes her health seriously and sees her doctors regularly. So, she went for a routine checkup in 2002. The doctor said they needed to do a biopsy on some of her breast tissue.
A biopsy doesn’t always mean something serious, and Jaclyn thought it would be fine. But a few days later, she was busy with errands and preparing for a trip to New York with Spencer, and didn’t expect bad news.
When Jaclyn entered the doctor’s office, she remembered the doctor asking if she “was alone.” Looking back, she said that was the first sign something was wrong. After that, the doctor gave her the news.
Jaclyn had cancer in her left breast. Luckily, it was small, and doctors found it early because she had regular mammograms. Still, hearing she had cancer was scary, and Jaclyn “panicked.”
All Jaclyn could think about was her trip to New York with her daughter, who was going to study dance with Alvin Ailey. Her daughter was still in high school, and Jaclyn was worried about both of them. Her son, who is four years older, was also on her mind.
Luckily, the doctor said her outlook was good, and they could use a gentle approach to treat it. But Jaclyn didn’t want that. She immediately asked for a mastectomy:
“I said right then, ‘Just take my breast off. I don’t want to deal with it.’ I just wanted to get it over with.”
Jaclyn later said she was not thinking clearly at the time. Her fear was too strong, and it guided her decision. That same day, she met with a surgeon. After calming down, she got in her car and called her family.
Both Brad Allen and Jaclyn’s mother didn’t want to believe the news about her cancer at first. But soon, they joined her in Los Angeles when they realized how serious it was. For Jaclyn, the hardest part was how little she knew about breast cancer.
She felt scared and couldn’t sleep, feeling overwhelmed. She was alone at the time and cried every morning during those first few days after hearing the news. “I went to a dark place. But then I read and educated myself,” Jaclyn said.
Luckily, Jaclyn was not alone in this. She had her loved ones to support her, and she also received comfort from her friends. One of her close friends, Kate Jackson, who was her co-star on “Charlie’s Angels,” had gone through breast cancer herself and helped guide her.
Once Jaclyn learned more about her condition, everything seemed clearer. The doctor told her that the cancer hadn’t spread to her lymph nodes, which made the treatment simpler. She wouldn’t need chemotherapy, which had been one of her biggest worries.
Jaclyn decided not to go through with the mastectomy. Instead, she had a lumpectomy and went through eight weeks of radiation after carefully considering her options. During this time, she was still busy with her career, working on her Kmart clothing line and home goods brand.
Jaclyn also appeared in the 2003 movie *Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle* alongside Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu. At the same time, she had a regular role on Craig T. Nelson’s show *The District*. But it wasn’t easy for her.
She explained, “I’d gone off hormones, so I did have some hot flashes. But I had so much love surrounding me, and work really made me feel good about myself too.”
Jaclyn said it was “amazing” how she went from being terrified to educating herself about the situation. In the end, she found the strength to fight for her health. She believes in facing fears head-on, a lesson she often shares with her children.
Most importantly, Jaclyn hopes everyone gets regular checkups because the best way to treat cancer is to catch it early. She shared that her mammogram the year before was perfect, with no signs of any issues. But just one year can make a big difference in your health.
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