It was a surprise unlike any other – a son reuniting with the mom who made the difficult decision to put him up for adoption. Stacey Faix was only 15 years old when she got pregnant and knew she had to give her son up for adoption. She never even got the chance to hold him. Unfortunately, the baby’s adoption records were lost in a flood, making it incredibly challenging for him to find his birth mother.
But in November 2017, a new law changed everything. The law allowed adoptees to obtain birth certificates with their birth parents’ names listed. Stacey had no idea that her biological son, Stephen Strawn, was actively searching for her. He had sent his information to an agency, and a month later, he received his birth certificate.
A Surprise Reunion at the Pittsburgh Half Marathon
The following year, at the Pittsburgh Half Marathon, Stephen surprised his mom. Stacey was running with members of Team Red, White, and Blue, a social organization that supports veterans. Just before the marathon began, Stacey received a letter that read: “It’s been 13,075 days since you last saw me. I didn’t want to make you wait one more.”
When Stacey turned around, she discovered her son, now 35 years old, standing there. Finally, they shared the long-awaited hug that Stacey had missed out on when he was born.
The Power of Social Media
Stephen had found Stacey on Facebook in April and had decided to surprise her at the marathon. He described their initial contact on social media, saying, “It was a big sigh of relief. I sent her a message and said, ‘Hey, I have a really weird question.’ She said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘I think you may be my biological mom.’”
A Heartwarming Reunion
Their emotional reunion was captured on camera. As they hugged, Stacey revealed, “I never got to hold you,” breaking Stephen’s heart. Due to the circumstances of the adoption, she had not been recommended to hold him at the time.
After their emotional reunion, mother and son ran the marathon together. Stephen shared, “The race was great. We finished in 2 hours and 50 minutes, but speed didn’t matter. It was about being together.”
Touching Hearts on Social Media
This heartwarming story touched the hearts of many on social media. One person expressed, “Every child should have the right to know who their parents are, even if the parents don’t want the baby. The law should protect the most vulnerable – in this case, the baby.” Another shared their own similar experience, saying, “I was adopted at the age of six and found my biological mom and the rest of my family when I was 30! I am the youngest of 15 siblings! What a reunion that was!”
