After giving her newborn son up for adoption, a young mother quietly marked his birthdays every year, never allowing herself to forget him. Then, one unexpected day, she encountered something that completely transformed her life.

The hardest decisions we make can often linger in our hearts for years, leaving an emotional scar that holds us back. Shelley Pitts from Texas knew this all too well. At just 14 years old, Shelley became pregnant, and the weight of that realization changed everything.

At first, Shelley was in denial. She felt far too young to be having a baby and didn’t understand the signs of pregnancy. She couldn’t wrap her mind around the strange symptoms she was experiencing, so she chose to continue with her life, pretending that nothing had changed.

Three months into her pregnancy, Shelley Pitts confided in her boyfriend, Sidney, who did his best to reassure her. Together, they began imagining their future, wondering whether the baby would be a boy or a girl, who the baby might resemble, and what they would name the child.

Sidney shared his preference for names like “Sidney Jamal or Jamal Donnell” if the baby was a boy, while Pitts expressed her desire to name her son “Elijah.” Despite their playful discussions as immature teenagers, both were secretly terrified of how their parents would react to the news.

Afraid of their families’ responses, they decided to keep the pregnancy a secret. However, as time passed, Pitts’ baby bump began to show, even though she tried to hide it by wearing baggy clothes. Meanwhile, rumors started circulating at school, as some students grew suspicious, especially after Sidney and Pitts had confided in a few close friends.

Before long, word spread throughout the school about Shelley Pitts and Sidney’s situation, and even the teachers became aware. The couple quickly became the focus of gossip and judgment. In the late 80s, they were one of the few interracial couples in Texas openly declaring their relationship.

Despite the whispers and sideways glances, Pitts and Sidney were unfazed. They were in love and determined to face any challenges together. Sidney, a popular football star with a magnetic personality, was admired by both friends and teachers for his confidence.

He also attracted attention from the girls at school, who often referred to him as “the black football player with a white girlfriend.” Meanwhile, Pitts, a quiet, introverted girl with a fuller figure, preferred to keep to herself. Luckily, the young couple shared a strong bond, with Sidney treasuring Pitts not only as his girlfriend but also as his best friend.

Eventually, Pitts and Sidney mustered the courage to inform their parents about the pregnancy. Their families were deeply upset but ultimately urged the young couple to place the baby for adoption. They found an adoption agency willing to handle their case as a biracial couple.

During her pregnancy, Pitts was provided with a place to stay where she received the medical care she needed. Unfortunately, she was isolated and could only communicate with her family and Sidney through letters and cards. It was during this time that she learned she was expecting a boy.

A Surreal Birth Experience
Pitts had a surreal and lonely experience during labor. Her mother was unable to arrive in time, and Sidney’s parents prevented him from being there. On March 29, 1988, at 12:54 p.m., Pitts gave birth to her son.

As she cradled her healthy baby boy, overwhelming motherly instincts took over. She noticed he had her eyes and Sidney’s lips. “He was perfect, but he wasn’t meant to be mine,” Pitts thought, watching as the caseworker took him away.

As Pitts left the hospital, she fought back tears, convincing herself that giving up her son would lead to a better life for him. Yet, as time passed, she never forgot the baby boy she had relinquished. Every March 29, Pitts quietly celebrated her son’s birthday, her heart heavy with longing.

The Longing for Her Son
“I saw him with my eyes and his father’s smile,” Pitts would think to herself. “I wondered if he was happy.” As life moved forward, Pitts married in her 20s and had three daughters. Though she later divorced, she embraced life as a single mother, raising her three beautiful girls.

Still, Pitts held a special place in her heart for her son, though she never revealed the adoption to anyone. Her mind often filled with unanswered questions, made more difficult by the fact that it was a closed adoption, leaving her with little knowledge of the family who had taken him in.

Pitts was aware that her son had been placed with Caucasian adoptive parents and that it took several months for him to find a permanent home. During his four months in foster care, he was called Eric.

Searching Online
On her son’s thirtieth birthday, Pitts began exploring adoption reunion websites and Facebook pages, yearning for the same longing to find her as she had for him. She created a profile on a site designed to connect people with their potential matches.

On March 17, 2021, she made a surprising discovery: she had an 81% match with a man born on March 29, 1988, in Dallas, Texas. This man was adopted at four months old and had brown hair, brown eyes, and an unknown ethnicity. To confirm her suspicions, Pitts sent him a message. As she continued searching, she found an address in Virginia and decided to investigate further. Later that night, around 11 p.m. on her son’s 33rd birthday, she searched for the profile name, Daniel Smith, on Facebook.

Finding Her Son
The profile picture displayed a tall, slender, light-complexioned young Black man with three children. As Pitts scrolled through his profile, she noticed another photo of him in a coat standing in the snow. The resemblance to both herself and Sidney was striking, and she felt an immediate connection.

Pitts sent a heartfelt message: “Happy birthday. I’m your birth mom. I don’t know how else to say that without just blurting it out. I pray you respond. I can’t believe I actually found you.” When she didn’t hear back, she sent a message and friend request to his girlfriend on Facebook. Finally, on March 31, 2021, Smith responded, expressing his eagerness to talk.

As they connected, Pitts shared details about his father, Sidney, who had tragically passed away in 1992. The emotional conversations flowed, and Pitts worried that Smith might resent her for giving him up. But Smith reassured her, saying, “This is like a dream almost. Just know I love you. I have never once been upset with you.” They bonded over their mutual love for the moon and trees.

When Pitts told her daughters about their older brother, they were ecstatic and eager to meet him. On April 29, 2021, Smith traveled to Texas for a long-awaited reunion. He and Pitts embraced tightly, neither wanting to let go.

Pitts later shared on Facebook, “My whole being is complete in ways I never knew it could be. My heart is so ridiculously full. My son is home.” The following days were filled with family gatherings, laughter, and heartfelt conversations.

Pitts showed Smith a letter from his father, sharing how deeply Sidney had loved him. When it was time for Smith to return to Virginia, it was heartbreaking for Pitts to say goodbye, but she remained optimistic about their future together.

Despite missing many significant moments in her son’s life, Pitts was excited to create new memories. In August 2021, she posted a photo with Smith and her three grandchildren on Facebook, reflecting on her journey with the caption: “Living in regret does nothing but allow negativity to try to wiggle its way in, so I can’t live there. There’s nothing but love, hope, and a true appreciation for God’s mercy in this space.”

The joy of Pitts and Smith’s reunion is a reminder of love’s enduring power, and we hope they continue to treasure their time together. If this story resonated with you, please share it with your loved ones.