Meeting My Birth Father For The First Time ♡ My Adoption Story
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Published 2018-06-13
♥ My full adoption story: michellecehn.com/adoption
♥ A message from my birth father: • Birth Father Finds Out He Has A Daugh...
♥ 23andMe DNA Kit: refer.23andme.com/s/michellecehn
I was adopted as a baby and after 31 years on this crazy planet, I finally got to meet my biological father and blood family who never knew I existed until last month.
More Videos & Beyond With My Birth Father:
♥ My Adoption & Birth Father Reunion Story: michellecehn.com/adoption
♥ "The Brand-New Vegan" Plant-Powered People Podcast Episode: plantbasedmealplan.com/ep-21
♥ My Birth Father's Vegan Recipes: worldofvegan.com/author/greg-...
♥ Skydiving video with b'pa and my brother: • Skydiving With My Birthfather & Broth...
♥ Vegan Cheddar Cheese Taste-Test With My Newly Vegan B'pa:
♥ Birth Father Memorial Tribute Video: • My Birth Father Memorial Video | Cele...
♥ Remembering B'pa Podcast Episode & Memorial Tribute: www.plantbasedmealplan.com/ep-21
This is one of MANY positive adoption stories out there and I hope it helps inspire my fellow adoptees to stay strong in your search. I found my birth mother 10 years ago and it took me another decade before I was able to find my birth father. It is not always an easy journey, but today it's a thousand times more likely that your dreams will come true than ever before thanks to DNA testing.
I sent my DNA off to both 23andMe and Ancestry to find my birth father with ZERO information about him. If you're interested, you can get your own DNA kit here (my special referral links):
♥ 23andMe DNA Kit: refer.23andme.com/s/michellecehn
♥ Ancestry DNA Kit: refer.dna.ancestry.com/s/michellecehn
You just spit in a tube, mail it in, and in a few weeks you'll get your results and instantly be connected to hundreds or even thousands of family members (distant cousins and beyond). If you're lucky, you might get some close and very helpful matches! For me, one day a 1st cousin match popped up and I was able to figure it out from there. And if not, you'll still learn a lot about yourself and where you come from geographically.
I also want to share that my entire experience as an adopted child has been amazing. I always knew I was adopted, and loved that unique little fact about myself. I truly have the best parents in the world and I'm so grateful for the path I got to go down in my life because my birth mother had the courage to do what was best for me.
I grew up not knowing a single person who was related to me by blood. I had a single photograph of my birth mother and her name, and zero information about my biological father, who never knew I was born. I have always had a hunger to know my birth parents, and ever since I was a little girl I wondered if I might have siblings somewhere out there.
It's crazy that now, just a few weeks after I wasn't sure if I'd ever find my biological father, I have met, hugged, and hung out with nearly my entire blood family. I know that as an adopted child, knowing your birth family is not something you take for granted. If you get even a glimpse of where you came from, you are incredibly lucky. So right now, I feel like the luckiest person in the world.
To my mom, my dad, my birth parents, and my entire huge ever-growing family, I love you to pieces and can't wait for all the adventures that lie ahead.
And to all the adoptees, parents of adopted kiddos, and birthparents watching, don't hesitate to reach out if you need support. I'm here for you!
♡ Michelle Cehn
P.S. If you're moved by this story, please share it, especially if you know anyone who is adopted, has an adopted child, or had discovered a new relative in their life: michellecehn.com/adoption
#AdoptionIsAwesome
UPDATE: It's with the deepest heartbreak that I share that my birth father (b'pa) Greg Hicks passed away suddenly, and unexpectedly in November, 2019. Just a few months before the birth of his grandson. We had the most intense, incredible, connected two years together and could not have made more of every moment we had together since connecting. I put together a memorial video in case you want to see all that adoption reunions can be: • My Birth Father Memorial Video | Cele...
▹▹▹ ABOUT ME ▹▹▹
My name is Michelle Cehn, and I'm the founder of World of Vegan and a filmmaker on a mission to change the world one video at a time.
♥ My Website: michellecehn.com/
♥ World of Vegan worldofvegan.com/
♥ I N S T A G R A M: instagram.com/michellecehn
♥ T W I T T E R: twitter.com/michellecehn
♥ W E B S I T E: michellecehn.com/
INQUIRIES:
michelle (at) worldofvegan (dot) com
All Comments (21)
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If you know anyone who is adopted, or has adopted kiddos, or has connected with new new DNA relatives, or just needs a smile, I hope you'll share this video with them! And if you've experienced anything relating to adoption, I would absolutely love to hear about it below. Much love to you ~ Michelle :)
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Im 47. I had a little boy when I was 19. His mother was 17. He was adopted at birth through a private process. He found me through ancestry 10 days ago. We spoke for the first time Saturday. I hope to meet him face to face soon. Reason Im writing this is, even as a man, going through something like this is so important and meaningful. Glad you found him. Wish me luck.
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Your adoptive parents must be wonderful people to have raised an exceptional person like you. You have four extraordinary parents. Lucky you.
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A second cousin just found us on ancestry. She has never known any family. We still are not sure who the parents are but are having people get tested. We just threw a big party for her and we all had a great time and we all cried happy tears.
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You and your bio dad share their expressivenesss ...if that’s a word. You are both very animated.
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This is so fabulous! Your birth father did not have any daughters, just one son. He must be over the moon!!! He has wonderful energy...what a wonderful blessing for all involved.
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He didn’t even know she existed and he is such a sweet man I’m so happy for all of them what a moving story💙
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I just cried through this entire video. I learned earlier this week I have a daughter that I never knew existed for 23 years! Obviously their was initially shock. But after chatting all week and then talking with her mother I couldn't be more excited! She reminds me so much of you with her attitude towards everything that's about to happen. I meet her tomorrow for the first time and I haven't slept a good night since this started. The instant love I feel for a child I've yet to meet in person can't be put into words! Thanks for sharing your story❤
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Girl.... When your bio dad jumped up and then y'all hugged, tearssssss! 😭😭😭 I was like that's SO her dad! Throw the test away lol!! 😭😭❤️❤️ how lucky you are to have not only loving bio parents but your amazing adoptive parents!!! Count your blessings 🥰🥰🥰
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When I saw him jump up on that pillar I was like 'Oh yeah, that's her dad alright. That energetic personality'.
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Hello, I just found my daughter after 28 years of searching for her. Her mother took her away before she was born, and then adopted her out. But after searching for all these years I found her 4 months ago, and we talk every day. I so happy you found your birth family. My hope is that you and all your family enjoy the many years to come. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Great story! I recently found my birth father thru ancestry. We met Labor Day weekend and, much like your birth dad, he’s a great guy too! I have wonderful adoptive parents and now for the first time someone in my life who is a lot like me. It is truly life changing. It only took 48 years for me. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Wonderful heartwarming story. I am so glad you found him. And what a guy...to decide to "not deny or delete or ignore and instead to explore confirm and embrace." Truly wise words for many situations we might encounter in life.
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I’m 31 and also just met my biological dad after finding him through an ancestry dna! I relate SO much to this! Thanks for sharing!
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Your birth father is incredibly intelligent and compassionate
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Your adoptive parents must be incredible people for adopting you and for giving you the love and kindness that shines in your personality and making you the great person that you are, and for you to have discovered your biological parents and to have things turn out very positive for you makes you one extremely lucky person.
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My dad was adopted. He was a great man. Never met anyone biological from his side. I found many people on my moms side and my dads adoptive family, and I’ve come to see I’m probably better off not knowing any of them by the way they all have treated me. I get my joy from stories like this and I’m so happy you found love and happiness. God bless you all!
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Your story made me tear up! About 25 years ago when I was only 14 my half brother reached out to our family looking for my mom and it was such a blessing! Unfortunately his biological dad wanted nothing to do with him, but when he found my mom she was beyond loving and welcoming to him. My mom was only 16 when she had him and so was forced by her parents to give him up. He grew up as an only child with his adoptive parents and when he found my mom he learned that he had 4 half siblings. I love him to death and am so thankful he took the risk to search for my mom, especially after being rejected by his dad. I'm so happy you had such an amazing reunion Michelle!
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He's the most coolest biological father ever! I absolutely love him! What a blessing! Congratulations!
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All you have to do is look at this guy's face and watch his movements and it is like you are his clone. Congratulations! I'm very sure you have found a good part of who you are. Your Real Parents did a great job of raising a beautiful and competent daughter.
