I still remember where I was when I received that phone call. I was standing in my kitchen preparing dinner for my now ex-husband and our baby. My husband answered the phone and after a moment of talking, handed me the phone. He had a strange look on his face, but I didn’t know why.
I took the phone and said “Hello”.
And this is what I heard.
“Hi Nicole, this is Todd, your brother. My mother is Robin also. Uncle Ken* gave me your number.”
It took my breath away. I thought I was going to drop the phone. I knew I had brothers and a sister, but never in a million years did I imagine one of them contacting me. I wasn’t prepared at all, and let him do the majority of the talking. I was at such a loss as to what to say, which is strange because I’m usually quite talkative.
He gave me everyone’s birth date, including confirming that my mother’s was incorrect on the relinquishment papers. I found out that she was only fourteen years old when she got pregnant with me, and fifteen when she gave birth to me. My brother, Todd, is only a year younger than I am, and the chances of us having the same biological father are outstanding. My other brother and my sister possibly share the same father, though not ours.
In the course of that conversation I learned that none of my birth mother’s children lived with her, for various reasons. None of which actually had to do with her. They were scattered throughout areas of Pennsylvania where most of the family lived.
I learned good things, and I learned bad things. I relaxed a bit more by the end of the conversation, but I was still ready to pass out at a moment’s notice.
He finally asked for my address and within a week I had pictures of everyone. My sister, Renee. My brother, Brad. And my brother who made the phone call, Todd.
I also had new pictures of her.
They were much more recent than the one’s I received from my grandfather. Although, they were still from well over 10 years prior. It didn’t matter, they were still of her.
And the resemblances were remarkable. I look the most like my brother Todd, though there are some photographs of my mother and sister that I see the resemblance. My son resembles my brother Brad, as a child. Which is weird, because we always thought he looked much more like my husband.
Here are two photographs.
I am on the left, my brother Todd is on the right. Same age. Amazing isn’t it? We could have been twins!
More of the Story Soon! Just watch my blog!
*Names have been changed to protect identities.