On my wedding day, just as I was about to say “I do” to Carolyn,

my son Tim interrupted, pointing out a birthmark

on her shoulder that looked like a butterfly. He mentioned it

resembled one his classmate, Emma, had, and that such

marks were often genetic. Carolyn went pale, revealing she had given

up a daughter for adoption at 18, and the girl might be Emma.Carolyn

explained she was terrified to tell me, as it had been the hardest decision of her life. After the ceremony,

we learned that Carolyn’s parents had secretly adopted her daughter

and raised Emma as their own, with Emma knowing about the adoption.

A week later, we met Emma. Upon seeing Carolyn, Emma said, “You’re

still their daughter, and I’m still yours.”Carolyn offered to

simply get to know her, and Emma agreed. It was an emotional moment as families that had been

broken for years began to heal in a beautiful, unexpected way.