One mom had a baby boy back in 1988 and gave him up for adoption. It has been more than three decades since that day, and now, the mother and son are finally reuniting!
Melanie Pressley was just 18 years old when she had her first child, a baby boy. The day was June 17, 1988. Since Melanie did not have the support or finances to take care of the child, she gave him up for adoption. She wanted him to be raised in an environment where he would thrive and have a mom and a dad who would love him.
RELATED: Katie Page Adoption Story Has Divine Twist When God Brings Adopted Son's Sister To Her Doorstep
The adoption was closed, so Melanie only had one photo of her and her newborn son that was taken the day after his birth. And over the next three decades, Melanie thought about her first-born son quite often, especially when his birthday rolled around each year.
"You go through a mourning period and yet live the rest of your life mourning," Melanie shared.
The boy that she gave up for adoption is Greg Vossler. He lives in Winchester, Virginia and is married with two sons. He was told that he was adopted when he was a child, but once he became a father himself, he started to want to know more about his origins and family history.
Greg decided to take a DNA test to learn about his genetics. "Everything checked out, but in the back of my mind, [23andMe] always suggests new DNA relatives," Greg said. "I was like, ‘You never know. Maybe one of these lesser connections will lead to something significant.'"
Mom Reunites With Baby She Gave Up For Adoption 33 Years Ago
Melanie was also given a 23andMe DNA kit from her daughter as a gift. Melanie later found out that her daughter was hoping the DNA kit would help her mom find her first son. But instead of saying that, she told her mom that the DNA test could give her a health report.
"I lost a mother to lung cancer - who had never smoked or drank a day in her life. So, she was selling that to me, saying, ‘Oh my gosh. Then you'll see if you have any of those genes or if there are any flags,'" Melanie said.
Once Melanie took the DNA test, it only took a few days for her to be matched to Greg as a potential relative.
Melanie messaged Greg on the website, and when she found out his age and birthday, she knew that she had finally found her son! She told him that she believed that she was his birth mother. Then two started communicating via email and then text.
The mother and son finally met in person in June 2021. They decided to meet at Melanie's home in Wadsworth, Ohio.
Mother and Son Reunited Thanks To DNA Test
Greg was able to meet his half-brother and two half-sisters as well as Melanie's husband. And Melanie was able to meet Greg's wife and children.
"Life has a funny way of giving you what you need and not necessarily what you want. Sometimes those wants and needs do match up, but sometimes you don't realize what you actually need until the future," said Greg. "Melanie's family coming into my life at this point, has been a blessing. It's kind of re-ignited some passions and excitement."
And Melanie shared how much this long-awaited reunion meant to her. "After finding him, I felt like my heart was just whole again," she said. "Becoming older, you kind of become a little wiser, but there is no shame in giving somebody up for adoption. There are loving couples out there that cannot have children that would love to raise a child. I'm telling you, if you could meet Greg, he was given a life beyond my belief. He was raised with manners. He was raised how you would dream. It's just unbelievable."
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Mom Driving With Windows Down Hears Baby's Cries Coming From A Ditch And Jumps Into Action
What a heartwarming reunion! And Greg has one piece of advice to share with those that hear his story.
"It's just a blessing beyond blessings. It really is," he said. "If I could share one piece of advice, it would be: Don't be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
WATCH: Woman Finds Grown Son After Putting Him Up For Adoption As A Baby
LISTEN: Mom Gave Birth To 4th Child And Died Just 5 Days Later | 84-Year-Old Army Veteran Spent 16 Hours On Floor After Fall But Then His Cat Saves His Life
h/t: NY Post
Featured Image Credit: YouTube