In a heartwarming twist of fate, Stacey Faix and her son Stephen Strawn were finally reunited after 35 years of separation. Stacey was only 15 years old when she made the difficult decision to give her baby up for adoption. She never had the chance to hold him in her arms or even see his face. Unfortunately, the adoption records were lost in a flood, making it extremely difficult for her son to trace them.
Fortunately, a new law was introduced in November 2017, allowing adoptees to access their birth certificates, including the names of their biological parents. Stacey was unaware that Stephen was determined to find his biological mother. He contacted an agency, provided his information, and received his birth certificate within a month.
The following year, Stephen surprised his mother at the Pittsburgh Half Marathon. Stacey was participating in the marathon to support a social organization that helps veterans. Just before the race began, Stacey received a poignant letter that deeply touched her. It read: “It has been 13,075 days since you last saw me. I didn’t want to make you wait any longer.” She turned around and found her son standing there, 35 years later. She finally received the long-awaited hug she never had the chance to experience at birth.
Stephen had contacted Stacey via Facebook in April, and after confirming their connection, he decided to surprise her at the marathon. Reflecting on their initial contact, he said: “It was such a relief. I sent her a message asking, ‘Did you place a boy for adoption in 1982?’ She replied, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘I think you might be my biological mother.’ As they embraced, tears filled Stacey’s eyes. She expressed how much she had held onto him over the years, which deeply touched Stephen’s heart. However, due to the circumstances surrounding the adoption, it was not advisable for her to keep him at the time.
They must have hugged at least ten times. It was surreal for both of them that this long-awaited reunion finally happened and came so quickly. After this emotional meeting, mother and son ran the marathon together, not worrying about the speed but enjoying the special bond they had found. Together, they completed the race in 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Their touching story resonated with many people on social media. One person commented: “Every child has the right to know their parents, even if adoption is chosen. The law should protect the most vulnerable, in this case, the baby.” Another shared their personal story: “I was adopted when I was six years old and found my biological mother and the rest of my family when I was 30! I am the youngest of a family of 15 siblings! What a reunion that was!
The beautiful reunion between Stacey and Stephen is a testament to the power of love, endurance, and the undeniable beauty of long-awaited relationships. Watch this heartwarming reunion in the video below:
