In 1978, Jen was adopted when she was a newborn. For three months, she lived with a foster family before being adopted by her forever family.
At the age of 7, Jen learned she was adopted, but the unexpected news came as a devastating blow. She struggled to find her place in this world and desperately wanted to learn where she came from. From that moment on, Jen spent the rest of her life searching for answers.
Many people on the journey to track down their birth families know it can be an exhausting and frustrating process. There are often many wrong turns and dead-ends along the way, but the rewards are tenfold. Jen learned this firsthand. She searched for registries, submitted DNA testing, and even filmed a segment for her local news station. But nothing worked.
"I was convinced no one was looking for me," she said.
Finally, in March 2015, Jen got a new lead, which helped track down her birth mom. She made several attempts to send her a letter, but the letters were always sent right back, unopened.
"I thought for sure she knew who it was from, and was avoiding it."
Jen was absolutely right; her mom was refusing to open those letters — but for a reason Jen never saw coming.
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This story first appeared on LittleThings in June 2016.
