An Open Letter to My Birth Father

Subject: An Open Letter to My Birth Father
From: Sally
Date: 17 Jun 2015

Hey there,

As I am writing, I really hope that you will read this. To be honest, this isn’t the first time I’ve written you. Two years ago, I searched for the perfect card and took two weeks to write you a note. Then ... I never sent it.

You see, I’ve searched the registries since I was 18, I’ve written a letter to my birth mother (who wasn’t open to reading it), and even did the DNA test on ancestry.com. So by writing to you, I feel like this is my last chance to figure out where I came from (although the DNA test did say I was French/German and found a possible 3rd and 4th cousin who never responded.) More importantly, I want you to know how much I look up to you and how much I want to thank you.

Thank you for putting me first. Because of you, my life is awesome. You need to know that. You gave me the gift of loving parents who are such a perfect fit.

My childhood was full. You name it, I did it. Swim team, summer camp, soccer, basketball, tennis. (I may have actually only touched the soccer ball twice in my career.) However, throw me in some sequins and turn on some music and I was ON. Dance was my thing. My brother and I watched The Princess Bride, A-Team, and Night Rider too much. As a family, we played Clue and watched Murder She Wrote on Sundays. I loved school, my friends, and my family. You weren’t there but because of you, I was.

I was a goody-goody in high school but knew how to be the life of the party. In college, I majored in Interdiciplinary Studies which is just fancy for “I’m going to be a teacher when I grow up’. Which I did, and loved. I also went to grad school to learn more about teaching dyslexic children to read.

Sally's Family for the last few years, I’ve been “Mom” which has been incredible and crazy. I have two young kids who are absolutely hilarious and make me drink multiple cups of coffee a day. I’m married to a wonderful guy who is a mix of Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn and keeps us balanced. My current favorites include- reading cooking magazines but not cooking, wine, dancing, visiting New Orleans, trying new restaurants, writing (normally about ridiculous stuff my kids do), and real estate.

So why reach out now?

I think about you a lot even though all I know about you is a handful of facts written on half a sheet of paper. You were young, taking college classes, and had cool hobbies like surfing, basketball, and fishing. (By the way, when I won the windsurfing award at camp one summer, I thought of you.) I would love to know more but without prying too much.

I think I’ve just come to an age where I’m ready. I’m ready to hear the story, to know where I came from. I want to know family history, medical info, and most importantly to say “thank you.” So, THANK YOU, and I do hope that I get to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Sally

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