My son tied the knot recently. Naturally, before all the confetti and awkward first dances, hed brought his girlfriend round a few times to meet us. We absolutely adored herso polite, modest, bright as a button, and really rather lovely. We couldnt have been happier for him and prepared ourselves for wedding festivities in true British style.
At the wedding, my new daughter-in-law styled her hair in such a way that her ears were fully on display. She looked simply stunning, and I didnt think anything of it until a glint caught my eyethere, on her right ear, was a mole. Not just any mole, but one exactly like the one my own missing daughter had. I went quite cold. That familiar feeling crashed over me, and I had to find out if my wild hunch was true.
Sorry to be terribly blunt, darling, I asked her, but were you adopted by any chance?
She looked at me, a bit puzzled. Oh no, why would you ask that? Then she wandered off to dance, probably thinking Id had too much prosecco.
Her mother, seated by my side, had overheard and nodded quietly, as if to say, Caught us out. There was no longer any need for secrets. Her parents admitted then and there theyd adopted her when she was very young.
As it turned out, years ago they were driving on the outskirts of Birmingham and spotted a little girl, sitting by the side of the road, sobbing. After fifteen years struggling to have a child of their own and getting nowhere, they saw her and, without a seconds hesitation, took her home to raise as their own. They wanted to ease their heartbreak, so they kept it quiet all these years.
The very same year, I lost my daughter at a bustling London market. Id lost sight of her for just a moment. In the chaos of a city packed with people, she vanished like a drop in the Thames. I searched for months, clinging to shredded hope long after everyone else had moved on.
And now, my son has married hermy own, so dearly missed child. Imagine that! Out of all the millions milling around England, he chose her.
What an emotional hurricane. At first, her adoptive parents fretted endlessly, convinced the new couple would never be able to build a happy family. But I put their minds at rest. After losing my daughter, Id tried to mend my heart by adopting a boy myself. Truthfully, he chose me out of everyone in the childrens home. In a strange way, we patched up our lives together.
So, in the course of a single evening, two womens lifelong secrets came tumbling outtwo mothers who loved their children more than words can say.
Needless to say, the wedding guests debated this tale at length. By the end of the night, everyone agreeda bona fide miracle had unfolded.
Tell me, do you think it was all just coincidence, or fate having a laugh at our expense?
