Family Forces Woman to Give Up Her Newborn – 50 Years Later, She Meets Her Gray-Haired Son

When a mom gave her newborn up for adoption, she never knew how the decision would impact his life. The son grew up with questions, always wondering about the woman that had abandoned him.

Becoming a parent is a life-changing moment and comes with different emotions of joy and responsibility. For the parents that give their children up for adoption, feelings of longing and heartache often fester.

Adopted kids also carry many thoughts about their past and birth parents. It took one man nearly five decades before he got the answer to his heart's biggest question — the discovery left him speechless.

GROWING UP WITH QUESTIONS

Marc Wolfe was grateful for his loving adoptive family, and the lorry driver from Sussex, United Kingdom, lived a great life. He was taken in by a Jewish family and never gave too much thought to his past.

Wolfe learned the heartbreaking reason his mom gave him up for adoption; it was nothing like he had imagined.

However, everything changed when he was 16. His adoptive mom passed away, and it kick-started a wondering and longing in him. He spent the next 30 years looking for his birth mother but was met with constant disappointment and dead ends.

THEY MADE A CRUCIAL DISCOVERY

Wolfe had almost given up when the TV series "Long Lost Family" offered to help in 2018. In an emotional clip, the man expressed his desire to mend the cracks in his heart. He told the show host:

"I would like to know why I was adopted. It affected me all my life because whatever the reason it's still a form of rejection. I'm hoping if I find out that it wasn't her choice, that's going to sort of heal a bit for me."

The host was excited to reveal that their team had made a breakthrough. They managed to locate his birth mom, and she was still alive. Esther Howard lived in New Zealand, and she held the answers to many of Wolfe's burning questions.

THE EMOTIONAL TRUTH ABOUT HIS PAST

Wolfe couldn't contain his emotions after seeing a photo of his birth mom. He said: "I can already feel that empty part of me filling." The show host shared a letter she had written to her son that revealed many truths. The letter read:

"Dear Marc, over the last few years, you have been more and more in my thoughts wondering what sort of life you have had. This is a gift to be able to meet you in person."

She continued: "Even though I live so far away, I'm so looking forward to meeting you, and I hope that you feel the same way." Wolfe couldn't believe his eyes and was eager to meet the woman who had brought him into the world.

THE REASON SHE ABANDONED HIM

When Wolfe and his mother reunited, he asked his mother the one question that plagued him for many years. He asked: "I always wondered if I was wanted, was there any choice for you?" She replied:

"No one wants to give a child up, I certainly didn't want to give you up"

Wolfe learned the heartbreaking reason his mom gave him up for adoption; it was nothing like he had imagined. Howard had no support from her family and was forced to let him go.

SAYING GOODBYE DEVASTATED THE YOUNG MOM

Howard's strict parents said she couldn't keep the baby because the father wasn't Jewish. The mom revealed that she had spent nine precious days with Wolfe, making his departure all the more devastating.

Howard said she had always wondered about her long-lost son. She recalled:

"My parents were horrified when they found out he wasn't Jewish and said it would kill my grandmother, so I wasn't allowed home when I was pregnant."

THEIR STRUGGLING RELATIONSHIP

Wolfe was delighted to hear that his mom accepted him. He expressed: "I feel elated. I've heard from my mom what I always wanted to hear. I was wanted, and I still am."

While the duo was happy to have met, Wolfe shared sad and shocking news 18 months after their reunion. He stated they didn't have a great relationship because they still felt like strangers. He admitted:

"I think the distance really doesn't help. With her being on the other side of the world the only communication is emails. You can't really get a bond through emails."

HE EMBARKED ON ANOTHER MISSION

While Wolfe was disappointed about his struggling bond with his birth mom, he didn't blame her. He said: "I suppose it might be difficult for her. She might not know how to deal with that herself."

Instead of focusing on their strained relationship, Wolfe devoted himself to another cause. He wanted to find his birth father and finally could because Howard gave him the details.

AN UNEXPECTED REUNION

Once again, the "Long Lost Family" team located Wolfe's dad, David Ledwith, and they were thrilled because he lived in Lincolnshire. Ledwith initially wanted to take a DNA test, but everything changed when he saw a photo of Wolfe.

He knew he was looking at his child. From their very first meeting, the father and son connected. Ledwith shared:

"As I look at him it's like looking in the mirror - we're both ex-military, we're both lorry drivers. It just felt natural."

GRATEFUL TO HAVE TWO LOVING DADS

Wolfe was immensely thankful to have two fathers in his life. His adoptive dad, Terry, quickly became friends with his birth dad, and the trio enjoyed spending time together.

Ledwith thanked Terry for raising his son well, and they looked forward to many years of making memories. Terry said: "To meet Marc's natural father has been a wonderful experience in my life."

For Wolfe, life took on a new meaning. He knew who he was and had no more questions about his identity or past. He expressed:

"Everything in my life makes sense now, it puts everything into place."

Wolfe's story had a happy ending and gave him the closure he needed and desired for nearly 50 years. Sadly, not everyone finds the answers they are looking for, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't try to find them.

What do you think about Wolfe's journey, and do you believe it is permissible for a mother to give up her child due to family pressures? Please share this with everyone needing a feel-good story that will give them hope.

Click here for another woman's experience with adoption and abandonment. She was forced to give up her baby because of a heartbreaking reason. Thankfully, they were reunited after being separated for 48 years!