Adoption Story: The Beginning of Shalisa's Journey

On Thursday, September 28 2017, I received the most random message from a girl I did dance with ages ago. She’s adopted as well. She hit me up saying she had information for me. I was skeptical at first because you know how females are these days; just catty. Long story short, she’s doing her doctorate on closed adoption and posted her story somewhere and a man hit her up, dropping his email asking if he could speak with her privately. He basically thought that she was his birth daughter (although he knew, he just wanted to secure the plug Lol); however, this was incorrect. Basically I stood out profoundly in her mind. So she hit me up. So I hit her up on the Friday curiously (my intuition told me this is what it was about but i refused to accept it). I called her and she read me her correspondence with this person. Crazily, all the facts that he fed her matched with mine. I was 99.9% sure this man was my birth father. His facts lined up with all the documentation I have on my adoption. So she gave the two of us an introduction and VOILÀ here’s the start of a beautiful relationship. He AND my mom are still good friends and still in contact. I was a bit shook, excited, in shock..and I’m just going to take this one day at a time. (Yes, we did a DNA test and all that. He IS the father *in my Maury voice*). All of us have been pretty inseparable ever since. I’m one of 5 (yes 5), which will definitely be something to get used to with my OCS (only child syndrome). But truthfully, I don’t think it’ll be that bad. I think I’m willing to share. I’ve learned SO much so far. There’s even been times I’ve been IN THE SAME ROOM as members of my family. And didn’t even know.

This journey has not only reaffirmed my faith that THERE IS A GOD. Because to be honest, i was struggling with my faith quite a bit. But I’ve honestly given thanks like I’ve never given thanks before. I now have not one, but TWO BEAUTIFUL families. Everyone has been so welcoming, empathetic and heartfelt. From what I have learned it was a loss for EVERYONE. My birth parents have been nothing short of GRATEFUL and honestly can’t thank my parents enough for everything they have done for me (me too of course). I’ve truly been blessed on BOTH ends. It’s such a humbling experience. I’ve known I’ve been adopted since i was 4 years old. I hit 14 and it all sunk it. I basically lost my mind. Hated everyone and myself. That whole feeling of rejection ain’t all that. That played with me. But my parents NEVER stopped telling me that I was loved by my birth parents/family. Never ever stopped telling me that. They had no idea what the circumstances were. But shoot. They said it anyway. Lol! I’m just glad it’s definitely the way they said. And it’s turning out better than a hallmark and lifetime movie.
I’ve been looking forward to this day and now it’s basically here. I haven’t really cried. Mind you I had a small panic attack. But nothing major. Lol. I’m okay now. I’ve been quietly processing this whole thing. So, pray for me y’all. I’ve hadda process this, go to work, and keep my head in the game with this masters degree. It’s been hard; but a journey I’ll never change for the world. Don’t just pray for me, pray for my family as we embark on this next chapter together. My parents (Stanfield and Sandra. Goodness this is going to get confusing) are nothing short of amazing. They are the epitome of praying, god-fearing Christians. I truly look up to them. And to that special angel (I’ll keep her anonymous, she knows who she is), THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for connecting us. You’ll always have a special place in our hearts. So, follow me on my journey. It’s bout to be LIT! Shout out to YOU God. You da real MVP.