First meeting for mother and son

FUTURE FOR BABY: Graeme said his birth mother would talk to him while pregnant, and say she wanted the best life for him -- which is why she had him adopted.

On the way to meet my birth mother for the first time, I called in to see Mum and Dad. Mum knew I had been searching and I had her blessing.

We never told Dad. He'd a very bad stroke and was severely disabled, and we thought it would be too much.

Mum gave me a huge bunch of flowers from her garden and off I set.

I pulled up outside her house right on time and as I walked up the drive the door opened there she was. A big hug and a long look at each other.

For the first time in my life, I had someone I looked like.

I met her husband, who had stayed home from work especially to meet me.

They had met while she was pregnant with me and, at 17, got married two years later. They had six children together, giving me three half brothers and three half sisters.

After talking to me, she then rang all her children and told them. They were very excited.

We sat and talked all afternoon, sharing photos and stories.

She told me that when she was carrying me, she would go for walks and talk to me and tell me that she wanted the best for me -- and that's why she was giving me up for adoption. I was very moved by this.

She told me my father was Australian, on a hitch hiking holiday around New Zealand at the time. She was riding her bike outside the pub and he asked her to show him around Foxton. And here I am. He left the next day, name unknown.

Over the next couple of years, we kept in touch regularly. She wrote the most beautiful letters and I have kept every one of them. I have met all my half siblings and they have lovingly embraced me into the family. I have attended two siblings' weddings and in my role as a marriage celebrant, I have married one of my nieces.

My birthmother and my Mum met at my wedding. I have a wonderful photo of the two of them reaching out for each other.

Once, she introduced me to a friend as her son. I didn't like it and told her so. She smiled and said "I will never be your Mum but I gave birth to you and you can be nothing else but my son".

Over the years contact became sporadic. I keep in touch with a couple of siblings on Facebook. I have seen her once in the last 13 years even though she only lives an hour and a half away.

Since starting this story, I have written to her twice. I have had a very excited letter back and she was supposed to visit for the day last Saturday but had to cancel at the last minute. We will see each other soon.

As for me, I could never have been loved more than I have been from my Mum and Dad. And that's enough for me.

For anyone who wishes to find their birth parents and would like further advice or support, please contact us at Midweek -- and we will put you in touch with Graeme.