Kelly was born in 1970 and grew up in Wichita, Kansas. Her parents divorced before she could remember, and she had no contact with her dad. Second oldest of five kids, she blended in ok but noticed differences. She had reason to believe she was adopted and asked when she was a teenager. Her mother continually said she was not adopted. Physical differences were dismissed as traits that came from her absent dad.

Kelly is happily married and has three sons. She is an engineer and a passionate quilter.

In 2022, her oldest son took a 23andMe. When her son’s results arrived, no known relatives were there. Curiously, there were many relatives they did not know.

Her mother admitted that Kelly was indeed adopted. The rest of the kids were all biological and her mom intended to take this secret to the grave.

Reaching out to a relative on 23andMe, Kelly was quickly reunited with both parents. They had been looking for her for many years!

Her parents are still together, married for 50 years. Her mother was 19 and her dad was still in high school when she was born. Kelly has an older brother from her mother, born while her mom was in high school. He was kept and was folded into her mom’s big Catholic family.  Kelly believes it was the shame of having the first baby while being unwed that led to her relinquishment. She has a younger biological brother as well, born after her parents married.

Kelly describes her story as a fairytale reunion. She has much in common with them.  She shares an engineering degree with her dad and the hobby of quilting with her mom. They share an optimistic outlook on life and goofy sense of humor. Kelly found her people! She feels welcomed by her parents, brothers, and huge extended family. They have grown very close.

Kelly has learned firsthand just how messy adoption is for all the parties involved. Having two families causes her to feel conflicted. She feels very loved yet deceived and rejected. Her message to others: it is possible to hold more than one set of emotions towards a situation. All feelings are valid, and they can coexist.

Kelly is committed to working through all of it and finding inner peace.  @kelindra_xoxo