I Lived on Parker Avenue - Short Adoption Documentary

I Lived on Parker Avenue: A Short Documentary Film About Adoption
I Lived on Parker Avenue has inspired the new feature film LIFEMARK set to release in theaters nationwide on September 9th, 2022. Learn more at www.LifemarkMovie.com.
Adopted at birth and raised in Louisiana, David Scotton is on a journey to Indiana to meet the birth parents he’s never known. His tattooed birth mother, Melissa, and reserved birth father, Brian, anxiously wait for him, concerned David will reject them for decisions they made before he was born. I Lived on Parker Avenue is a short documentary about a mother’s agony in choosing what’s best, the joy of a couple starting a family, and young man’s search for where his life began.
www.ILivedOnParkerAve.com

[@ladylaelpierce]

I am a child who was adopted and DIDN'T feel loved or cared for beyond the most basic needs by my adoptive parents. My birth mother could have chosen abortion. As an adult, I have left my childhood behind me. If I let it effect me, I lose. I have a beautiful life, with a man who treats me like a queen and believes my opinions have merit. I was told I would never have children of my own, but long after giving up, after nine years of marriage, I had my first child, then my second, then my third and then my fourth. They are my world and my joy. Please don't think for a moment that the possibility of choosing not so great parents is worth ending that child's life. I'm here and four more beautiful souls are here because my birth mother chose life. I would NOT go back and change anything, lest I change something in the now, because the now is too beautiful to chance changing.

[@Mary-re7gd]

Bravo!

[@michellemybelle9591]

So glad you weren't aborted. You wouldn't have a man that treats you like a queen or any of you children. 🙌🎚

[@truejoie]

Beautiful ending ❤

[@SkyeMoore]

Thank you for sharing that. I appreciate the different, very valuable, experience and perspective.

[@ATiredMom]

Thank you for sharing. Adoption is so beautiful. Abuse and neglect happens and it's tragic. Adoption is wonderful and your life is so valuable even when bio or adoptive parents mess up.

[@TravisGinther]

I was adopted at 3 years old. I wouldn’t have traded it for anything. It’s been an incredible life.

[@mariac4602]

Your post made me so happy. As an adoptive mom who loves her daughter more than life, I appreciate hearing of adoptive children who are happy with their family. My husband, daughter sand I are very close snd loving and deeply grateful to her birth parents who loved her and chose life.

[@dr.calebrobbins.3177]

@@mariac4602 How refreshing to hear. However, as with many, many scenarios involving human beings there are many narratives. I am the eldest of three ... myself, and sister were adopted as children, my younger brother was adopted at 2. We were adopted by people who should never been permitted near children. We endured years of abuse. Physical, psychological, & sexual. My younger brother is of Indigenous descent (" Stolen Generation "), myself, am of Jewish background - mine was a Private Adoption, no longer legal in this Country. He and I were verbally abused,; disgraceful things were said and done. My sister & I were subjected to Sexual Abuse. I ended up running away @ 14. However,I turned things around with the help of good people. I worked and completed my education. There is a bond between we Three, albeit tenuous , keeping in touch very occasionally. The wounds still run very deep. Those adults are now dead and gone to answer for their heinous transgressions. Neither my sister or I brought children into the World. However, as far as I am concerned, I live a good life with my varied interests , etc. Education has been my way out and a good deal of psychotherapy. I am not resentful, wishing it all had been different. It's the narrative I've lived with, and on the flip side it has made me a sensitive, empathetic, stronger human. It is good nowadays there are alternative rescources to protect children from considerable wickedness. I firmly believe adopted children have specific emotional needs which must be met, and am always quietly pleased when I hear of positive outcomes for all.

[@RachaelDeBruin]

This made me bawl 😭 I found myself unexpectedly pregnant at 19. Thank God for a dating ultrasound where I saw the heartbeat. That son is getting married this weekend. Thank God for His people that reached out to me in love & support.

[@gracie3174]

Thank God for ultrasounds! It’s saved so many babies lives. It’s the gift of a lifetime….literally.

[@meleasepolete7509]

Give your child up Don’t abu😢you’re children. There’s other waiting a child.

[@melanieladinesrealtorincen2106]

I'm so happy for you!

[@EJBenko]

I was David in 1959 ...I was raised by two wonderful people who gave me everything life could offer. I met my birth Mother and two younger Sisters in 1992 - The circle was completed -

[@cindiletchworth7647]

My friend was born in 1963 to a 16 yr old mother, and adopted. She would love to meet her birthday mother and tell her thank you but has not been able to locate her. Any direction you can give me?

[@dianakaycadle7856]

@@cindiletchworth7647 Ask some of these commenters Who Searched Message them>Specifically like I did commenting to you & SOMEONE SURELY WILL RESPOND🙏🏻🙋🏻‍♀️ PRAYERFULLY IN ALL SINCERE HOPE❣

[@maryammsafoum8549]

Gwpi

[@soledada3227]

😮😮😮😮😮iuj😮

[@soledada3227]

@@maryammsafoum8549 oi

[@maliak341]

I too gave my little girl up for adoption. . .we have reunited and she just found her dad..Thank you for this video..sitting here crying the feelings never go away. I gave her up because I love her. . .

[@montcopatriots]

God bless you, Malia.

[@tonischroeder6716]

Malia K thank you for giving your baby life❤️

[@gillianzohnert2323]

Thank you for sharing your story

[@wiiflix]

That’s got to be the bravest most loving act I can imagine. True love means sacrifice, you’re amazing.

[@SirBobMarley1]

As a mother your love never goes away of all your children weather adoption or lost of life the pain never leaves you & to those to reconnect the burden becomes lighter in time.

[@sherrymacdonald261]

I too was adopted at 2 and I was adopted by the most amazing parents. They supported me on my search for my birth mother and I found her,reconnected with her, and my 5 younger siblings. By meeting her, it strengthed my love I have for adoptive folks all the more. My birth mother kind of ignored me the last years of her life( she has since passed), and I no longer hear from any of my siblings. My adoptive Dad passed away last year and my Mom over 10 years ago.I was extremely loved by them and wish now my childhood had not been such a struggle of " searching" and feeling I did not belong....because now as a 65 yr old, I realize I was safe and surrounded in love by my family who adopted me. Thanyou for sharing your story with us.

[@melanieladinesrealtorincen2106]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am 64 so the same age as you. I hope God blesses you abundantly.

[@amandahammersley5476]

When he wrote letters to them at dinner I lost it. He was raised so right! Anyone will be lucky to marry this one.

[@annskelton4720]

David, you have grown into a remarkable young man. You mentioned that you often ask “why was I saved” well I feel you were saved because this world needs more good hearted young men like yourself. Your story touched my heart. May you continue to have a blessed life.

[@donaldschaefer6860]

My thoughts and feelings exactly. A beautiful, beautiful story.

[@susanide4650]

❤

[@Paola-jf2qf]

I love the way the parents and grandparents embraced the birth mom. That made me tear up..both were grateful to each other for their own reasons.

[@samsmom400]

She's a mother, not a "birth mom".

[@terririmmer4706]

As a birth mom, this brought me to tears. I had a semi-open adoption so I saw my little girl 2-3 times a year. She just started college.

[@matthaviland5695]

Thank you for choosing life. 🙏❤️

[@mskimrn9636]

You are a hero in my eyes

[@samsmom400]

You are a MOTHER, NOT a "birth mom".

[@augreybaker9800]

Thank you choosing life it’s a difficult decision choice one could make.

[@ber9313]

This young man is strong like his adoptive dad and mom to be able to manage this much forgiveness. It struck me that the dad said about the mom's heartbreak over her children, "I'm going to make this right." and how beautifully he did.

[@darlagreen2872]

At 20yrs old, I was pregnant, confused and alone. I didnt feel I had but 1 choice, I live with that regret but God has forgiven me and continues to make beauty from ashes. Its been almost 40yrs ago. I share my story now also to maybe keep some young woman from living with a lifetime of grief.

[@melanieladinesrealtorincen2106]

I am 64 so I grew up in the same era that you did. I probably would have made the same choice that you did. God redeems the Brokenhearted so Embrace that for your life from here on.

[@patriciahaxby4380]

I am blessed with this video. I’m a Birth Mother; I placed my daughter for adoption many years ago. We were able to meet a couple of years ago. I know giving her life was the right thing to do. God intervened in both of our lives. I’m thankful for what He has done in our lives.

[@GypsyGirl317]

God bless you both so much, and your families. ❤️

[@karla7225]

I was pregnant at 17..so glad my family helped me and I kept my baby. So glad each of you who gave these people the gift of life..whether you were able to raise your child or whether you blessed someone else with that gift. God bless us all!

[@susannabonke8552]

Yeah. One can have a baby at 17, If relatives help.. then finish education.

[@lisameyer2920]

This precious human was given life. The bravery it took for Melissa to get up off that table is remarkable. Bless you! You also gave a couple a chance to be parents.

[@SolidRock-gn9zr]

I too was adopted out in 1952 & have met my birth mother & family. I was blessed to take care of my adopted Mother in her old age & the last thing she told me was it the best thing she ever did. This video is a blessing. Thank you for sharing this.

[@eleanorwcarmany8922]

How precious. Much love to you too.

[@AudreyAL6]

I adopted two sisters and it was wonderful. We even got in touch with their mother

[@confidentalways7526]

Wow David has the most remarkable attitude. He is truly blessed. Everyone included in this story.

[@karbear26]

I was adopted at only a few days old and have always known I was adopted! I grew up in a wonderful family and am so glad my birth mother had the courage to give me up for adoption! She would have been a single mother loving with her parents! My birth father was a coward and was in the Navy at the time as soon as he heard my birth mother was pregnant he switched bases without a forwarding address. My birth mother wanted me to have 2 parents to raise me and she knew she couldn’t provide me with that family! She did not want to see me at birth just for me to be taken away so she wouldn’t see me and change her mind! My birthday is December 26 and I wonder if Christmas is a sad time for her?

[@elizabethann8228]

Undoubtedly. She lost you. And she'll never get you back. Mothers don't get over their children. But society expects birthmothers to. 😢

[@goemd1]

I hope this film saves many babies. Thank you for doing such a great job.

[@julie8746]

What an incredible story of love. I was born & adopted. Just met my mama at 55 years old & met my three sibling’s. It is amazing to have always known my mother chose life.

[@gonelooney5698]

Congratulations on winning the adoption lottery ! To those of us who lost that lottery it means so much to hear about people who won. So glad that you now have an even bigger group of people who love you, I wish the best for your whole family. : )))

[@jenniferbrown9131]

Congratulations on winning beautiful human and personal accountability lottery!!! (Adopted person-blessed life with parents-extended Fam not so much. Met BioMom-it’s been a herky jerky ride). Your joy and gladness for another person instead of bitterness and jealousy-PRICELESS!!! Glad you exist- sending love, peace, and fully good vibes to you Good human!!!☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️💜

[@mariahmunnis6315]

Sending love to you for your beautiful and heartfelt comment.

[@davekilfoile5895]

A beautiful story, God knew you before you were born! Makes us all realize how precious life is!!

[@gracie3174]

He knit you in your mothers womb.

[@ShelleyMerritt]

LOVE this so much! I teach at an international graduate school in Manila. I just showed your film to an international class of women from seven different countries in SE Asia--Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. We were all moved to tears. They are all learning how they can better help educate and save lives in their countries when they return. May God continue to bless you and use your story in ways beyond all we can imagine!

[@ILivedonParkerAvenue]

Shelley - thank you for showing the film to your class and sharing news of their response. this is so encouraging. if you have any pictures or individual comments from the students, we’d love to receive! Contact us at [e-mail]. Thanks!

[@patriciacole8773]

Please pray and consider the fourth commandment KJV

[@carolhale4331]

Amazing what the Lord is doing with this one moment in time this one decision for life has affected so many even around the world.

[@janetschexnayder2813]

I rate this film "5 Kleenexes"! What a story! I love adoption reunion stories that have happy endings!

[@cheramb4947]

Poignant. Thank you for just simply sharing your story. I’m an adoptive Mom. I would love to meet my child’s birth parents but I have no idea if that will happen. Or if it would go as wonderfully as it has for you. No matter what, I’m thankful her birthmom chose life. I also love in the video where the birthmom says “I wanted him”. I think many adopted kids wonder “why they weren’t wanted” when they are and were actually very wanted . It’s a sacrifice to make a plan for your birth baby but out of love you hand them over and trust they will be better cared for than you can. Thank you again.

[@realcanadiangirl64]

My mom and dad always told me that my birth mother loved me so much that she gave me to them because she knew that she couldn't take care of me like she knew I deserved. They were always very encouraging about me searching for my birth family if I wanted. I started searching when I was only 16 and found them when I was 21.

[@ATiredMom]

@@realcanadiangirl64 love this!

[@nanskiboutski243]

I SO agree with you. For a woman to make a baby and then give them up to be adopted (whatever the reason) is the ultimate act of LOVE

[@chrism746]

@Cher Amb Adoption Search Angels may be able to help if you're still interested.

[@zoilashoemake8978]

Lat night I joined prolifers in Victoria Texas in our annual Candlelight Prolife March that ended at our parish. There, the prolife coordinator spoke highly of you and your testimony and then we watched your documentary. It was such a beautiful story of bravery and God's love and restoration. The healing...goodness the healing!! Very powerful! I'm very grateful to you and your parents for your willingness to share this story.

[@kiriforever1]

What a beautiful gift Melissa gave to David, David’s parents and grandparents! While a difficult choice, for Melisa to make, David had a wonderful life with the family that raised him! Bless David & everyoneone in his circle!

[@moladhdodhia164]

I wish I was adopted by his parents,what amazing human beings they are.

[@erinpierce83]

What a mature and insightful guy he's turned out to be! He completes so many people..

[@avecrux333]

Absolutely beautiful....what a gift to the world: both the witness and the life saved. David is a fine young man. God bless him, God bless his brave mother for giving him life.

[@darleneachille491]

Lots of TEARS!!!!! Thank YOU GOD!!!! I was conceived by rape and my Mother never once thought of aborting me!!! GOD & my mom saved me!!! Thank YOU GOD!!!!❤❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏😭😭😭😭😭🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗😀

[@blessed-n-favoured]

What an incredible woman your mom is! May she be blessed by the Lord indeed!!!

[@micheledaddariomoser9676]

Your mom is a HERO!

[@amberwhite6086]

Bless your mother❤

[@peggypark4508]

As a adoptive parents, this was powerful for us. We also watched Lifemark (the feature film about this story) with our young adult adopted daughter. If you haven't seen Lifemark yet, you've got to see it, so wonderful.

[@murzagildin]

I have 4 boys and treasure every second of their existence, I don't think I could have survived giving one of them up. She must have carried such a huge burden for him all these years. I'm so glad that she didn't murder him even when it made sense to her to do so. I hope that every woman is brave enough to choose life for their babies. I wish they went a little more into how she dealt with his loss in her life.

[@kimberlyhannah17]

Best prolife documentary ever! Congrats. I am a volunteer adoption search angel. I assist adoptees and birth parents with finding their long-lost loved ones. Adoptees are some of my closest friends and I can't imagine life without them.

[@mikenmonas]

Thank you David. I understand your sister's sibling yearning. I was adopted out of Germany and grew up in Indiana. I found out I had 4 full siblings (3 left living). I met them and within 2 weeks, had to go back to USA to my home. I missed many years with them growing up and still do...it's a positive and a negative....I am quiet about my pain but it gave me strength to see your positive outcome. Blessings on your family and life 🙏 ❤️

[@marisalecki9698]

David is a blessing & you are amazing mother for giving him for adoption . Thank you God for the gift of life . May Jesus be with All of you that is involved in David’s life.

[@2meirmeir]

So beautiful! Knowing we ALL have an adoption story when we come into the family of God. Oh, what manner of love the Father has given to us... happy to become the children of God! Thank you for sharing...

[@gillianzohnert2323]

Amen, thanks for reminding me of that.

[@trishaprett7721]

Susan you certainly are blessed,a terrific husband,then a much wanted ,and loved son.David’s Mom,so selfless,putting her baby first.Many tears watching this.All people involved are so special.

[@daystar862003able]

You are amazing David! What wonderful adoptive parents who have raised a remarkable young man! You are one blessed young man. I pray God will use you to help many other adopted children ❤️

[@realcanadiangirl64]

I found my married birth parents 37 years ago when I was 21. They had married two years after my birth and I had a younger sister and brother. They're divorced now and my birth mother doesn't want anything to do with me but I'm very close to my sister and brother. My adoptive parents and my birth dad are best friends now too!

[@eleanorwcarmany8922]

That's the only way some people know how to handle their pain of regret. Like the Chinese mother in one of the other videos. It doesn't mean she doesn't love you. She probably just couldn't handle the pain each time she saw you. Perhaps each time you think of her you can reach out to her just IN YOUR HEART and send her the love and forgiveness she needs deep down. So that she can be healed too. Much love and prayers for you AND for her.

[@barbaraunderwood1762]

I had to give up a son n 1969 & it still hurts . Never have met him. I literally cried when he met his mom. Little sister really connected with him & that’s a good thing.

[@bdwatson814]

The son is soo beautiful and forgiven...oh and Pandora Radio brought me here.

[@knielson1201]

What beautiful moving story. My niece is adopted. She has a wonderful life with such loving parents. We are all are so grateful to her birth mother for her decisions. It takes strength to give life. Thank you for filming this.

[@lindahayes3003]

This a very touching story! I just had to look it up as I just saw the movie Lifemark tonight. Thank God that Melissa chose LIFE!!! 🙌🙌🙌

[@August-pg4zs]

Wonderful! Bless you Melissa for choosing life and giving another family such a beautiful gift.

[@cherylchan67]

David has grown up to be such a fine young man. Grounded , grateful and so good looking too! Kudos to both parents.

[@theresagonzalez287]

I didn't meet my son until he was 39. He knew he was adopted since he was five years old. I missed so many years but still feel blessed to have many years ahead to develop a relationship with him and his family. It can be overwhelming, even fearful, of what happens next but, I believe, it's about one visit at a time. BTW, the similarities are uncanny - he has similar physical features and many of the same interests as me.

[@annecaulder9495]

What a sweet, sweet story. David's smile was everything. And this is also a lesson about how we jump to conclusions that can be far off base.

[@IrenePons]

Showing it to my entire Adoption Law class! Great documentary! Thank you for sharing your story with us.

[@ILivedonParkerAvenue]

thank you irene! we are interested in hearing how your students responded. feel free to contact us at [e-mail]

[@marzalufon]

So Beautiful, I cried so much, thank you Jesus 🙏🙏😇👏🏻👏🏻

[@Inas2guam]

..tell me about it - I teared up! great "LIFE" story and lesson... I praise God for each day I am alive.... Cheers from OKC

[@kevinartan8541]

PHENOMENAL! Thank God for Life & those with the courage to defend and stand for it in a world obsessed with convenience.

[@stephenlake568]

This amazing story proves it's far better to adopt than to abort. I'm so happy for everyone involved 👍🤗.

[@carolhale4331]

This documentary was so beautifully done. Thank you for the life-giving message. And thank you to all those strangers who stood on hard concrete sidewalk outside the abortion clinic to tell this woman that she actually has a baby in her. God bless you all.

[@Solidrock-jq6rp]

My story was very similar and I am very grateful to the Lord for my birth Mothers decision & for the parents He gave me. I have 5 children & 10 grandchildren & I’ve been blessed. God is good!

[@anna_maria_79]

Wow respect how forgiving and positive that young man has been! Awesome! Thumbs up! What a gift!

[@smalltownmomma8024]

I am an adoptee as well, I completely relate to your questions and knowing I was different than my friends (they just couldn’t understand how it feels), the longing to find my birth family. God led me to them in 2012, my BM has paranoid schizophrenia and now dementia, and it was early stages when I talked to her on the phone, she was so very sweet and pleasant and a bit confused at times. I also met an aunt and her daughter, they were very kind but do not desire a relationship and I’m ok with that, I got to see pictures of that side of my family and learned their history (my history!). I did not have a happy childhood but I do have a wonderful family now and I’m so very thankful she chose life, and thank you for this beautiful story, I cannot wait to watch it❤️

[@gillianbc]

Thank goodness Melissa was so brave to say 'no' and thank goodness for the brave person who stood there and said 'ten fingers and toes' and saved his life.

[@jillyb4880]

So BEAUTIFUL! The sacrifice of the gift of giving away a baby, combined with the beauty of raising someone else's child. This is so incredibly heartwarming! Thank you for sharing your love, your pain, your triumph. The takeaway for me was..Wow, the power of one good decision. Amazing!

[@alicelindborg5096]

What a redemptive story! Brian and Melissa had a grown son to get to know rather than the memory of a death. Praise God!

[@Nurse3811]

What a wonderful thought , thank you

[@eleanorwcarmany8922]

That's a powerful statement!!!

[@themonarcher314]

Wow, what a beautiful story. I had to look twice when they showed photos of Brian as a teen, because David as a young man looks exactly like his father at that age. How wonderful to be so deeply loved by two sets of beautiful, giving, sacrificial parents. The Lord has been so gracious to you all. ❤

[@AnnabelleJARankin]

This was so emotional! Courtney is a great kid and I so hope that she and her brother maintain their relationship. Blessings!

[@lincolninpeoria]

As an adoptive dad who recognizes the courage of our children's birth parents, I was touched to see this documentary and meet Melissa tonight. My brother was one of those other heroes, standing on the front line, day after day, on the sidewalk praying for the mothers going inside and their children, knowing that only a handful of the children would come out alive. He died the same year that Melissa left the clinic. My life too changed after that as I have been gifted with a generous, loving and beautiful wife and children who I hope will go on to make this world a better place.

[@lesleybartlett7177]

What a wonderful young man, thanks to all of them!!

[@marebear09]

I just saw Lifemark, and it was incredible. I had to come see what it was based on. Life is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing this powerful story.

[@graceandme8042]

God Bless You David....very powerful story🙏

[@jaymiller3412]

Thank you for sharing your stories. You all were so courageous to allow us to see your raw emotions and special reunion. I pray that millions of women and men will see this wonderful movie and also choose the life-giving option of adoption. God bless you all!

[@ILivedonParkerAvenue]

Agreed Jay! Thanks for the feedback!

[@SuzanneDesign]

The street sign tied it all together; the title and the story. Lovely film

[@sandrafrederich9628]

Doesnt add up

[@sheliaoconnor4793]

This is a beautiful story as the various depths of love unfold. David is a remarkable young man and his family definitely has accepted all that the Lord has given them. The forgiveness, faith and grace of our Lord abounds in this story of this wonderful family.

[@dorothyb3713]

Truly one of the most heart-warming stories I've ever heard. The courage displayed by David's birth mother is refreshing, and I hope that this story will give courage to other women who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy... to give life to their baby, and maybe even again to an adoptive couple who long to be parents. And David... what a wonderful and mature young man! May God continue to richly bless you in life, David, wherever you go, whatever you do--He has a plan for your life and I can see you want to fulfill it. Thank you to all of you who shared this beautiful, poignant story.

[@2ndhandSue]

What a beautiful story! And what an amazing woman Melissa is, very courageous to have made that decision alone when she was so young. I can't imagine going through 9 months of pregnancy and giving birth to a healthy child and then handing him over to another couple to be raised. It must be the toughest decision a woman ever has to make in her life, and it is also the most generous and loving decision. Her gift made it possible for another couple to become parents. It's so wonderful that they reconnected and everyone loves each other. David has been blessed with TWO sets of parents who both love him and want the best for him. And he found the most special gift of all - he has a little sister! I wish every young pregnancy could end this way, and I wish every adoption could be as filled with loving and caring people as this one. This is how it should be done. This video made my day, and probably my week! What an amazing story - truly a story of the greatest gift anyone can give. I hope they all live long, prosperous and trouble-free lives

[@KrissiCreates]

I was David in 1957. I was adopted at 3 months old by my amazing Momma and Daddy and lived an amazing life. I always knew I was a "chosen child" as they said. On my 18th birthday they gave my adoption papers with only my birth name , date born and place of birth. With the information of young woman. No Father mentioned. I was in awe seeing my birth name, feeling loved just by being given a name. I did not pursue doing anything with this information until after my Momma and Daddy passed away. I put my information on every adoption registry out there. No responses, until my 58th birthday. Simply identified as Old man that knows your story. When I reached out his family informed me he had passed away. For my 59th birthday my son gave me a DNA kit. God surely had a plan as the first person that popped up was a high match. Contact made, turned out to be my Uncle on my Birth Father's side. After talking on the phone he knew immediately which of his 3 brothers was my Father. Long story short, for my 60th birthday I got to run into the arms of my Poppa, as he asked me to call him. Surrounded and supported by his wife ,4 half siblings and their families. There is nothing like the feeling of finally seeing who you look like and where certain manorisims come from. My sister, 2 years younger than I could be twins !!! During this same time I also found my birth Mothers side. Sadly she had passed away 7 years prior. But I would later go to a family reunion that as soon as they saw me get out of the car, they knew I was theirs. Such an amazing feeling. I wanted 1 thing through out my life and that was to thank my Mother for giving life to me and that I held no bad feelings toward her, only loved her. I was only given that chance standing by her grave. But I know in my heart she heard me,as it gently rained like tears from heaven while we stood there. I also have to half siblings from her side. We don't say half siblings on either side, we're just brother's and sisters. Today at 65 1/2 years old I talk to my Poppa everyday, we live several states apart. But I go up every year to spend time with them. Every other day my brother ,on my Mother's side , are on the phone. Treating each other as siblings do... lol. Laughing, teasing but mostly loving each other! What a blessing to my life. I know my roots, my ancestry and my story of how I came to be ! Loved your video. So touching. I cried when you held your birth Mom and Dad and hearing their story. We are both blessed, as many adoptees never get this chance. Hope and pray life is treating you well !!

[@azwife35]

I too was adopted in 1957, at birth. I found my birth mother in 1986, but didn't have contact with her, only a sister n law, which has been wonderful. I found my birth father in 2003 and my dad was with me when we met him. I subsequently met his whole family. I, too, knew I was a "chosen child" - in fact I still have a book the adoption agency gave my parents when they adopted me, called "The Chosen Baby". After I was adopted, my adoptive parents were blessed to have 2 children of their own, and I was just confident enough that I would sometimes say "You were just born to Mom & Dad, but I was chosen!".

[@AG-ng8gt]

Love. Love, love, love this. We're in the adoption process now and it's terrifying. My biggest fear is that our child won't like us, and also wondering how we'll talk to him or her about adoption and birth family in the future. There are so many negative adoption stories out there- this was so beautiful to see. Thank you.

[@pookieinlove]

Allison Gildner Start saying the word adoption at ever opportunity. My little adopted daughter "adopts" her baby dolls. I tell her the story of the day her other mommy gave me the chance to become her adopted mommy. Never paint adopted parents in a bad light...that will only teach your child resentment and that has no business taking root in a child's heart. Trying to control the variables of love, hate, acceptance, rejection..it will exhaust you and steal some of the joy of your relationship with your child. Put yourself in adopted parents shoes. No matter their situation, you can find compassion for them as a human being. Build your platform of presenting adoption on that. The Adopted Parents could be "disgusting" but as an adoptive mom, I feel love and gratitude towards them. They made a perfectly perfect sweet girl who makes my whole world more purposeful. I can't thank them enough. God Bless and congrats on your adoption.

[@montcopatriots]

God bless you!

[@tammyvukonich5104]

Don't be afraid to talk about the adoption in front of your very small child. My daughter figured it out on her own when she was 3. She saw a pregnant lady and my daughter asked me if I remembered when she was in my tummy. I told her you weren't in my tummy, but in another lady's tummy. A day or 2 later she asked if I wasn't in your tummy, was I in Talia's tummy? So she figured it our on her own. Ours was an open adoption so I had met the birthpatents. What a beautiful miraculous blessing!! The birthmom actually planned a baby shower for us before the birth!!

[@bettyluchford7038]

@@pookieinlove i

[@cathycalrow9111]

Most adoptions turn out well on both sides. There are always going to be sad stories whether children are brought up by their birth parents or adoptive parents. So don't let that put you off. There is some very good advice in a longer comment here. There some very good books written for adopted children to explain their situation. I have kept one called "The Mulberry Bird" published in USA, which my adopted children adored. If I read it to my grandson when he is older, I think it will explain to him why he and his Daddy are not related to Grandma and Grandad or to the rest of the family, but that we do love each other and him. I wish you lots of luck on your journey and pray that you find the right child for you. I am sure that that you will find ways to tell your child his/her unique story and show that you love him/her.

[@tacitusromanus8239]

What a beautiful story! I was adopted at 4.5 months. I finally found my birth mom at age 31. My birth father had passed in 1982. She was a mess telling me on the one hand, she would have aborted me, but it would have been on her conscience, to how she would never let anyone separate us again. I went into the search not thinking about my birth father, but he would have been much more open to me had he been alive. Searching made me really appreciate my adoptive parents who were my Mam and Dad, who truly loved me and gave me a wonderful life. I know my life would not have been as good had my birthmother and father kept me. I love the pro-life message in this story. There are so many couples who would love to have their own children, but for whatever reasons cannot. Choosing life over abortion is a winner for so many. Meeting his birthparents was cathartic for David, I'm sure. It also offered them closure. I love how David's parents and grandparents welcomed Melissa and Brian too.

[@kathiehand]

What a fabulous story!

[@miketackabery7521]

Now I don't have to comment because you wrote EXACTLY what I was going to! 😉😅

[@emilioalonzofrometa9724]

As someone who was adopted this hit home for me, God Bless sir!

[@agusservet7497]

Cried like a baby!!!!!! Just AWESOME!

[@BD-to6md]

Life is beautiful. Pro Life Feminist here !!!

[@dnaka723]

Powerful!!! Amazing young man blessed with awesome adoptive parents and extended family. And, the birth parents were courageous, especially Melissa.

[@broostermom7191]

Thank you so much for sharing this story. It was so moving and I cried through the whole thing. What a wonderful young man David has become and his adoptive family, including the grandparents, is fabulous.

[@CassandraSusan]

What a beautiful story! So proud of all of you for dealing with this situation with so much selfless love!

[@erinwalker6185]

The 20 people who disliked this are heartless.

[@BenitoMaray]

I have rewathced this film countless times, and each time I do, I am so very teary eyed. David has grown to be a very fine young man. Thank you for sharing.

[@Joycezg]

Fantastic film, a most beautiful story, a most loving family, and the story of how they became a family.

[@acmeallpurpose4974]

What a brave and powerful woman to get up off that table. To carry that guilt for years and he didn't hesitate to tell her he didn't hate her for almost doing it. She couldn't even process it at first.

[@faithandflavor]

Glory to God 😭 What a beautiful reunion!

[@nonotever]

...still cryin, beautiful story, beautiful people ❤️

[@andreacarpenter8947]

What a beautiful, and empowering story. I have always had nothing but the up most respect for parents who choose adoption. One of the most hardest and most unselfish decisions a parent can make. I absolutely love how warm, thankful and loving your adopted mom is to your birth mom. I also love how thankful your birth mom is to your adopted mom. And how thankful and loving your entire adopted family is to your birth mom and dad. My grandma was adopted. Unfortunately when she met her birth mom, it was not a good thing. She did however tell me that she was still very grateful to her for giving her up for adoption. Even though she was 8yrs old when she was taken from the state and adopted out, and her adopted parents changed her name at 8yrs old. Her adopted parents were amazing, and it was a much better Family and home than she was in with her real mom. I hope this story reaches many many other parents who are on the fence about adoption, and shows them that adoption is an amazing choice. There are so many parents out there who can not have children or have many of the same problems either conceiving or some the same as your adopted parents/mom had, and would give a child a loving, safe, stable, wonderful, family, home and life. God Bless you all, and thank you so much for sharing this beautiful and most amazing story and journey of your life, and your incredible reunion with your birth parents with us!!

[@rj_universe9332]

Saw this in bronx New York at saint Raymond's was really good

[@snappysnap955]

Really, really beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing your story. It was wonderful to see how healing it was, and I hope that you will continue to keep in touch with each other, it looks like you will. And I could tell that it was very important to your little sister. God bless you all.

[@cardinalstudios5889]

What a beautiful film! A compelling and powerful story. A work of art with the cinematography and composition. Will definitely share.

[@SonaPod]

Oh, thank you David for your story. I am just about 50 years old without children. But I still have a hope. I feel like a bit crazy lady. I wanted child so much but it didn't come and than I got sick... Melissa made great decision. You are here because she loved you. God Bless You.

[@elizabethann8228]

" You are here because she loved you. " 💜 Bingo. Praying for Melissa. A mother's love is fierce and doesn't fade over time. ✝️🙏🕊

[@firewaterbydesign]

Beautiful documentary!!! 👏 This should be shown to *EVERY* single woman who walks into an abortion clinic *BEFORE* they make the tragic decision to take a life!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story!! ❤

[@gracie3174]

absolutely! Share it everywhere. It will save lives! Blessings

[@firewaterbydesign]

@@gracie3174 I became pregnant after my divorce and my family tried to pressure and push me into having an abortion. I refused to do it. I now have a beautiful 34 year old daughter and she and her husband gave me a beautiful granddaughter. Abortion is NEVER the answer!!!! Imho 😊

[@gracie3174]

@@firewaterbydesign God blessed you! I’m so happy for you! If only these poor girls understood the magnitude of their decision they would never choose abortion. They live with that guilt forever. Parents, please don’t push your children to abort their baby! You kill a baby and a mother’s soul. Choose life! Every child has a soul and is a child of God🙏

[@firewaterbydesign]

@@gracie3174 When my daughter found out that she was pregnant, his mother had given my daughter a list of EVERY abortion clinic in our state and the price of the abortion, in LESS than 24 hours of finding out that she was pregnant!! NO JOKE!! I told her to hold off from making ANY decisions prior to speaking with a doctor and had her make an immediate appointment. Why you ask? Because that was my flesh and blood that she was carrying and I knew that once my daughter heard that baby's heartbeat 💓 that she would NOT be able to kill her child!!! My granddaughter is now 14 years old and her parents are STILL together!!! The other grandmother 👵 delights in having a granddaughter that she almost badgered my daughter to kill!!!

[@gracie3174]

@@firewaterbydesign thank you for sharing your story! How I wish everyone that though abortion was the answer would just stop and realize that a life although not born, was already created. Abortion is not the answer. The poor girls pressured into it live a life of guilt and depression because they know they killed their baby. If one truly cannot raise their baby, there are plenty of couples just dying to give your gift of life a beautiful home. These children that are adopted are so grateful that their mothers chose life! Thank goodness this grandparent had the wisdom to get the ultrasound. That heartbeat is your child’s very life. If aborted, you’d be killing your baby in the womb because you can’t see it….would you kill that same baby outside the womb? No! Please never encourage a girl to get abortion…it’s never a solution! It’s a act that lives with these poor woman for life. It’s doesn’t solve anything, it compounds problems. If these babies are allowed to be born, the mothers and grandparents are so happy that this child is in their life! Choose life!

[@MsMystic77]

David, we are extended family. You are a blessing to the world!

[@yvonnepagan9912]

I was pregnant at seventeen, almost eighteen. He was nineteen and a half. That was way back in May 1971. We married , lived in a caravan in his parents back yard and everyone was delighted when Joanne was born. She still delights everyone she meets. We have another daughter and a son. They are all grown and have families of their own. Hubby and I did it really hard for many years, but with the help of his family and the love and acceptance of everyone we have had many good years altogether. I was very lucky……and I know it

[@super7dsmom]

Thanks for sharing your story..I was also adopted in 1963. I found both birth parents and had a good experience connecting with them as well..truely ment a lot to me to do it..took 37 years.

[@smcb2202]

The family’s full acceptance and unconditional love at the dinner table was the best part. He finally realizes no matter what happens in his life, who comes into it that this is where he belongs. We all want to belong. So beautiful. Lindsay in Ontario 🇨🇦

[@mikehenson819]

Perhaps the most beautiful blessed true life story I've heard in a long time! We need more stories like these. It gives hope in a very dark World. And there are far too many people who need to hear about miracles like this! May God continue bless you all !

[@bad71hd]

You are a good kid..I began to see your story today at 6-30 am in a sleepless night of thinking and reflection. 5-9-18--on my first sons birthday who is a great kid and who we all most 1st aborted, and then all most gave away for adoption..Im my case we kept him and he is in his final and 4th year at Wisconsin State University [Madison] in per law and who just last week was accepted at Harvard Law school. I am VERY proud of him as ALL of your family members are of you!!! It was great of you all to share your story, not knowing just how many ppl it would touch in a very personal way! Amazing! What a journey of self discovery! I am very happy that you were and are able to begin as well as continue! Your birth mom and adopted mother seem very loving and kind and both love you tons! How fortunate you are to 2 sets of parents and such a wonderful extended family! I would simply say you have been blessed in MANY WAYS! You should never forget how blessed you are! i am a KZbin creator and as a kind of KZbin snob as I've been on here since day one, i never subscribe as no one ever subs me, well I've subscribed to you and hope you create more content for us all to enjoy!! That this even touched a crusty old man like me is great! TEAR JERKER to be sure, God bless you all and i will look 4 ward to your continued growth and can't wait to see your blessings multiply!! Good luck son! Amen......Yours Mike Mills

[@montcopatriots]

God bless you!

[@vintonbonner]

This whole thing gave me the weepy cries, but in a good way. Amazing testament to life!

[@mrvampirexxxdiaries]

God Bless you and your families.