A Perfect Match

46 years ago, I found myself divorced, with a young son I was trying to provide a home for. Work was scarce and so my parents agreed to help care for my son while I sought work in a more industrious area of WI. As hard as it was to leave my son behind, I knew I must, as I searched for work.

Being young and naive, I was soon taken in by the charming ways of a man who professed his love for me. Only when I found myself carrying his child, did I learn he was already married and had no intentions of standing by me. I felt like a whipped puppy returning home, expecting yet another child, with no husband in sight. I couldn't forgive myself for being taken in by a sweet talking man that I found I really didn't know. My parents refused to help me and insisted I place this child for adoption.

Without their support, I knew I could not provide a home and my love alone would not be enough. Though it was the hardest decision of my life, I knew I must follow through with the Adoption Placement for the sake of my child. Jerome was born May 16, 1952. I said hello and goodbye in just the few days that I was allowed to see him. When I left the Home for Unwed Mothers, he also left to go to a new home. Through the years that followed, the unanswered questions remained. Was he alive.? Was he happy? Did he have a good home and loving parents? Was the decision I made in his best interests. Every year on his Birthday, I would think of him and say a prayer, whispering an "I love you".

I went on with my life and married and raised my son to manhood. Jerome was always in the back of my mind. A friend helped me to register with ICARE. Through mis-communication, some of the details of Jerome's birth were inaccurate in my Registration. But, the date of birth was correct. Within months of my registering, my Birth son also registered. Because of the inaccuracies, though ICARE felt it was a computer match, they wanted to be sure that they were pairing up the right two people. A few short days which seemed the longest of my life, I waited to hear it was a match. We even did a photo exchange and it wasn't long after, that the information was clarified and we officially became a "Perfect Match!"

Within the week we were reunited after 46 years. The questions now had answers. Jerome was now Albert (my fathers name!) and he did have a good life. The decision I made was in his best interests and the relief I felt was almost overwhelming. I thank God, that in his goodness, He allowed me this day, to know and meet my son. My thanks also to ICARE for having this Registry which was instrumental in my being reunited with my birthson.

Johanna M
Michigan