After 35 long years, Stacey Faix and her son Stephen Strawn were finally able to reunite, bringing joy to their hearts. Stacey was only 15 years old when she made the challenging choice to give her baby up for adoption. She was never given the opportunity to hug him or catch a glimpse of his face. Unfortunately, the adoption records were lost in a flood, which has made it extremely difficult for her son to locate her.
In November 2017, a new law was introduced that granted adoptees the long-awaited access to their birth certificates, revealing the names of their birth parents. Unbeknownst to Stacey, Stephen was on a relentless quest to locate his birth mother. He contacted an agency, shared his details, and after a month, his birth certificate arrived.
In the following year, Stephen managed to pleasantly surprise his mother by participating in the Pittsburgh Half Marathon. Stacey took part in the marathon alongside a social organization that provided support for veterans. Right before the race started, Stacey received a letter that really moved her. It read, “It’s been 13,075 days since you last saw me. I didn’t want to keep you waiting any longer. She was taken aback when she saw her son standing there, after 35 long years. Finally, she received the long-awaited hug she never got to experience when he was born.
Stephen had contacted Stacey on Facebook in April, and after confirming their connection, he made the spontaneous decision to surprise her at the marathon. Recalling their first interaction, he expressed, «It was such a relief.» I messaged her and asked, ‘Did you put a baby boy up for adoption in 1982?’ She responded affirmatively. I said, ‘I think you may be my biological mom.’” As they held each other close, tears welled up in their eyes. Stacey shared her heartfelt desire to hug him after all this time, which deeply moved Stephen. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances surrounding the adoption, holding him was not recommended back then.
They must have hugged each other at least ten times. It was almost unbelievable for both of them that this long-awaited reunion was finally happening, unfolding so quickly. As they hugged each other, the mother and son embarked on a marathon journey together, savoring the unique connection they had discovered, rather than fixating on their pace. They finished the race together in a time of 2 hours and 50 minutes.
This heartwarming story has resonated with countless individuals on social media. Someone expressed the opinion that it is important for every child to have the opportunity to know their parents, even in cases of adoption. The law should prioritize the well-being of the most people at risk, in this instance, the baby. A fellow person recounted their personal journey, expressing, “At the age of six, I was adopted, and it wasn’t until I reached the age of 30 that I finally discovered my biological mother and the rest of my family! I am the youngest of 15 siblings! What an incredible reunion that was!”
The heartwarming reunion of Stacey and Stephen exemplifies the strength of love, determination, and the profound joy of long-awaited connections. Check out this heartwarming reunion in the video below: