FULL EPISODE: "I've Waited for This Call for 45 Years" (S1, E1) | Long Lost Family 

The word congratulations doesn't go far enough.

I'm so happy for you 🐸

I am so happy you are able to find your sister

I had a brother find me after my mom passed away in 97...He didnt get to meet my mom but he was able to meet his real dad and oh my gosh he looked like my dad...My dad passed away in 2004...so it gave them time to connect and I sent my brother so many pics I had of our mom...🌸

Congratulations, you never gave up, pure dedication ❤️ If I may ask & be answered, did she know before you found her the situation? I know I half out there yet I haven't searched.

I'm so sorry for your loss, but so happy you found each other and are together now.

Wow. I’m so very sorry for your loss!!!

Oh wow, what a story! It seems so bittersweet. I'm very sorry for your loss. No doubt your baby helped you find him. ❤️

I'm so happy you both found each other! Your Angel Daughter is safe.

So glad you found each other again, GOD BLESS you,and so very sorry for the loss of your baby, mannnnyxxxxxx and prayers

Don’t forget the adopted parents. They done years of work raising him.

​@@poppyk6182attend pre-kindergarten

@@poppyk6182 learn to compose

You have amazing parents. They sure were ahead of their time… So happy you had a wonderful life ❤

I was 17 in 1977 I found out I was pregnant, had a baby girl and kept her… these stories resonate with me!! How each of these could have been her and I!

@@Faramallera Not sure about "ahead of their time", though parents had love in their hearts always. My parents forced me to give my son away in 1968 & i had ZERO 'say' because I was under-age. So, how could my parents have even loved me? Was there ANY love?

I, too, gave birth to a little boy in 1977. I was 15 years old. My family encouraged me not to have him, but I did. My boy is now 47 years old. He's a successful husband and father. I'm so proud of him. It wasn't easy, but it was worth every moment. Once I told my parents I was keeping him, they were on board and are incredible grandparebts. I love you, Joe.

@@dea784 "encouraged not to" totally different than "forced". Really happy for you & your son.

This is my exact story.

yes I sure did..

I think I cried every time they were on screen. Happy tears and I wish them nothing but the best!

I cried when she was talking about her faith and her surgery

This struck a chord with me as well. When I found my birth mother the first thing out of her mouth was “ I’ve waited for this call for 30 years” so poignant.

This is not the show you watch before going out with the guys, I had to say my allergies were acting up that’s why the red eyes. Lol

This is my life story but I'm scared to approach my father.

This is my life story. But my bio dad even with having my address and phone number doesn't reach out to me like I would want. And when I reach out I'm talking to my step mother and my brothers and sister instead of my dad. It makes me feel like he doesn't want me even though they are the ones who found me. Its weird and confusing.

@@janisianhittle4793 men generally hate talking on the phone. My dad is the same way. And I grew up with him as my dad.

@@janisianhittle4793 some people are slow to process feelings. Especially this huge

I think I remember you finding him if I am correct he is a friend of my husband and I love ❤ seeing y'all together

I definitely agree with you, John adopted father kind of made me side eye him like "Sir your being really selfish, not thinking of the closer your son wants but thinking about he's gonna leave us" omg yall had him in you all life for 32 yes wth?! Rita has been without her child she never wanted to give up for 32yrs like are you serious?!

The son was looking for approval from his dad. I think.the dad is selfish. Life is about relationships. The son found his mom.and with time will have a relationship and bond with her.

Men and women get caught up in bad situations and when it happens and they get caught up then all of these crazy things happen in order to self manage a mess.

Having an adopted child, I understand his initial feeling, but I think it would have been best to suck it up and support the reunion. He made himself look really bad. I remember my daughter writing a poem about her angel saving her, meaning her bio mom, who lost custody of her at 5 due to neglect and drugs. I didn't love that.

Exactly

Their smiles were identical

Adoptive dad showing true love. He loves his child. Having placed many children in their new parent's arm, you feel the love and the emptiness the biological mom has

He didn't want his son to think of him as less than his father. Have a heart

John's dad had no worries as his bio dad wanted him aborted and refused to stand by his bio mom. A terrible story. She wanted to keep him but her family gave her no support There is no way John want anything to do with him.

And….in regard to John’s dad…..if he thinks a biological mom will intrude on their little family of 3…….😳🤔🧐 can you imagine if John brought home a girl he loved and they didn’t like her? 🤔😳🤦‍♀️. Poor John! I hope he stands strong with his parents so he can live his own life…..

Well long lost family was a Britain show first and i guess it grew to popularity so TLC said. " Lets make an American version of it.'

⁹

You can never have too many family members.

In ideal circumstances that's true. Some parents don't want to open closed doors and reject contact. Fortunately the people on this show are predominantly happy to connect with their child.

Yes I adopted 2 daughter's and we have a beautiful relationship with one birth family the other we unfortunately can't right now but when my daughter looks for them I will have open arms and my daughters know I'm fully open to their relationship with there birth parents because I would not have them if it wasn't for them

I think the mother was symphatetic, while the fatter seemed selfish

​@@sarahhilsher2772❤

but the biological doesn't replace the adopted family that raised you ..

@@darlenewalker1963 Absolutely not. Family - no matter how you come by having them are forever your family - but reuniting fills a hole that no one else can fill. I'm a birth mother who has been blessed with being reunited - I always tell my son "You will always be my son, but I will never be your "mom". He has a mom. I'm a birth mother with a son. Even now that his mom has passed away I know my place in his life. He calls me "madre" - but his mom is always going to be his mom.

​@@kellysnider5138 nah, I'm cool with never knowing people I'm blood related too. How bout you don't tell us what to do? Just cuz the baby you threw away turned into a boomerang and came back doesn't mean all of us will choose that path. I have zero desire to waste a moment on the human incubator and sperm donor that brought me into this world without my consent. I already have one garbage family. I don't need to add to the list.

​@@kellysnider5138 a picked family can absolutely fill that hole.

@@NYD666 Yes they can, my adopted son has no desire to meet his birth parents. But for those adoptees who can’t fill that hole with their chosen family, it’s a blessing to them to be able to with the birth family. At the end of the day all that matters is the adoptee and what they need or want.

I guess his family was heartbroken to

I feel like they were too. One thing I’m thankful for is they were not bullied into abortion. Because in this day and age, especially Planned Parent Hood would certainly do that.

@@househen1 Do you actually have any experience with Planned Parenthood? Because I do. They offer nothing but support for women. There is no bullying or indoctrination of any kind. That rhetoric tends to be propagated by the religious right, whose reputation for "bullying" is quite well documented.

@@catstreat9434 Yes I do! Do you know what happens at every single clinic. There may be some that are truly there to help young women but NOT ALL.

@@catstreat9434 I remember when I was young and went to them they tried to talk me into getting my tubes tied. My Doctor prior to then said I was too young. I got married young and had kids young but I wasn't ready to close the door on having kids. Their job is to stop minorities from having kids. I never wanted any more but was happy that my options were always left open.

@@catstreat9434 just because you had a positive experience that doesn’t negate the conservative’s claims. If bully is too strong of a word, does “encourage” to abort sound better? And the “religious” group just wants to protect an unborn person. If you think their zeal for protecting a life is bullying then so be it.

I realy like your comment. It is heart sore and brought tears in my eyes. Why I say that, I no how you must feel. We were 4 children and went through nearly the same as you. When you are so young you realy don't no what type of parents is adopting you. You get good parents and bad parents. May GOD bless you and your brother that you haven't seen for years. I pray for you. 🙏🙏

Welcome HOME

agreed.

And saying the same exact thing!

Millennium

Hello. I have questions. I did adopt and I want to make the right decisions for my son. Would you be willing to help me answer some of those questions? Or if anyone else, who reads this comment, has been adopted and doesn’t mind me asking questions, let me know. Thank you.

@@k1corina.l I can answer questions from the viewpoint of a birth mom whose daughter found me over 22 years ago. Because we talk about her adoption fairly often, I can probably answer some questions on her behalf.

@@k1corina.l hi! Wanted to let you know about a RU-vid channel. Crazy Middles. I watch them all the time and they have kids that are adopted and bio. They are very open about how they are adopted and also are very much into keeping them in contact with their bio families. Watch a few of their older episodes on the adoption stories. I’m sure it will help you in your journey!

@@k1corina.l i did not adopt nor am i adopted but i recently found out who my bio dad is. I did alot of research about this matter and from what ive read and seen the best results often happen when a child grows up knowing he or shes adopted vs finding out later in life. Be honest and be clear. Make it known i love you and you will always always be my son and i will always be your mother but this is what i know about your adoption and your bio family. I hear somepeople refer to the bio parent as this is your tummy mommy and your tummy mommy loved you so much that she knew it was best to do one of the most difficult things and give up her baby so you could have a good life. I beleive theres also age appropriate books you can read to them. My biggest thing is just be honest nothing ends well when people lie or hide things

@@k1corina.l I am adopted, and recently reconnected with my biological family. Ask me anything you like.

I agree . I also think he inherited some rest genes from his bio mom . Things like personality type etc. ARE coded in our genes . That lovely young man got a win- win ticket in life , God bless him !

Yes, I just don’t understand how a parent can say they love their child yet want to keep that child from healing the loss of their biological parent. The child’s highest wellbeing should come first. The blood line caries genetic memory the spirit knows and needs its reconnection with the parents. We are deeply spiritually connected to our parents

@@jcjc3914 yes, I agree. I adopted 3, two knew their biological parents, 1 does not and I myself cannot imagine what he is feeling nit knowing. I have tried to do the research for him but it’s not easy trying to find her. So yes, I would be thrilled to help my child finding their biological connection. It takes nothing away from us.

He never grew up with his parents. His mother has always loved him..it was forced.. how dare you!

John bio grandma should feel like shit, no one cares about what other ppl will think of the family if a beautiful child is being brought into the world

I thought he would have been more understanding because he was a school teacher....always be supportive to your child , even if it was good or bad , only of their safety is in harm that’s when the disagree would be better....” they can’t learn if they don’t make a mistake , and they can’t make a mistake if they don’t learn “

Yes he rubbed me wrong, I feel as if he'll be stand offish towards Rita even after this. He will fake his happiness

I think he is a man who has intense love for his child and has JUST been told that someone may beckon his sons heart away. He didn't react out of selfishness but out of fresh, New fear. Give the man time. He is a dad. He will want what makes his son happy but don't deny him his own feelings as a father. Give the man a day or two to digest it.

@@kimquinn7728 ....As an adoptive parent, he must expect things like this. It comes with the territory of adoption. Anyone who can't handle their adopted child wanting to know their origins shouldn't adopt. I'm a post reunion adoptee and a adoptee rights activist. I've seen adults who never knew they were adopted find out from a random DNA test they only took for fun. One adoptive mother admitted that she deliberately withheld the truth because she didn't want her adopted kid to look for their first-parents. Her lies and manipulation resulted in her adopted kid refusing to speak to her anymore. Seriously, don't adopt if the thought of reunion sends you into a tailspin. This adoptive father was primarily thinking of himself.

The adoptive father should have kissed the earth Rita walks. She gave him a son.

what?

The UK version has 11 seasons and still going if you want more

@@AhndreaSprattling How did you not know that? There hasn't been a new episode in almost 3 years

@@RebeccaHoyt Which would be really pointless since I don't know who any of those people are

@@saraschneider6781 I'm confused as to why it would be pointless to watch a reality tv show just because you don't know the participants. The point seems to be to get to know them but whatever floats your boat. If you decide you want to same wholesome content you can find many episodes on RU-vid.

Same!!! 😭😭😭

Both of the hosts are adoptees in this series. It tells you that at the beginning.

Congratulations!! I found my birth family at 60 ! My Father is alive, sadly my Mother had passed. I'm the oldest of 7 between Father and Mothers side, they were never married. Infant he didn't even know about me ! But after months of talking he said Daughter I need to see you face to face, with the blessing of his wife. He was 83 at the time. Now 3 and 1/2 years later we still talk almost daily and I go up to see him. We're 4 states apart. I have a huge family on my Mother's side. My Grandma was one of 15 so you do the math on how many cousin's I have !!! Lol !! Love going to family get together now !! Best wishes and enjoy the beginning of an amazing journey!!

So happy you were able to find what you were looking for ❤

Wow Praise God

@@LoveShackSarah88 Yes!

Same Here, But I'm the Child of an Adoptive Parent X 2 ( The second one I found by accident). My Dad was Adopted & His Adoptive Parents Were the Worst Nightmares you could ever Imagine, and How & Why the State of Missouri in 1940's Gave these People Custody of My Dad is Beyond Me! My Dad's Bio-logical Parents was hard to follow, But I found my Bio-logical Grandparents were Never Married, Had 5 Kids, (10 yrs old to 5 Months old) and the Bio-Mother "Virginia" Ran Off with a "China Man" which turned out to be a Filipino Man, and she continued to do this for years with MANY Men, a few marriages & divorces, LOTS of Children left behind & abandoned. My Bio-Aunt found My Dad (Her Baby Brother) Which they Went together to find ALL the rest of each other of the Siblings. I, Me Just the Child of a Adoptee Finally Felt "Partially Whole" I knew what I needed to do I had to find what happened to My Bio-Grandparents, Bio-Family. It took me about a 1-2 yrs of digging, calling, digging, being hung up on, and folks telling me I had nothing to do with it, that my Bio-Grandmother liked Dark Meat & was a Slut, I can't count how many people told me this, Well Over 300, or its None of my Business. That's when I contacted my Oldest " Bio-Aunt Carolyn" She has been Looking for her "Momma" since 1950's, She's 90 yrs old this Year and I gave her, what she wanted to know, what happened to her Birth Parents. It was the Hardest thing telling Her, My Dad & All My Bio- Aunts & Uncles, that their Father/ My Bio-Grandfather "Basil" Tried to Get his Children Back, But as Most know when Children are in CPS, they aren't going Home. In 1948 He died, Nothing on death certif. to describe why or how, he was 39 yrs old. Then in 1980 the Bio Mother/ My Bio-Grandmother "Virginia" Died from Unknown Reasons as Well, She was 65 yrs old. Finding them Made My HEART WHOLE!! Learning about my Bio-Grandpa "Basil" Warmed My Heart as Now I know where a Lot of my Family Traits come from Him & His Side of the Family. As for the Bio-Grandmother "Virginia" I don't have Much to say about her, the information I've collected on her after she not only abandoned these 5 kids, But Many Countless Others too. I used to refer to her as the Bio-Grandmother, now she's Just "Virginia" Not My Dad's or his Siblings Bio-Mother, nor my Bio-Grandmother, She Lot that "TITLE" When She Walked Away & Never Looked Back. Then here's a Doozy, while Looking Up My Dad's Side, I just stumbled across the fact that Under My Mom the Man that raised her wasn't her Birth/ Bio-Father/ Daddy. That Was Shocking For Her, Me & other Family Members. But No One Alive to Be able to Find All the Info!! Except I figured out who he was, and found out he died in WW2, With My Mom's Uncle Pete, Found Pictures too. You Never Know Where Life is Gonna Take You, I have Gained So Many Extended Family Cousins, Aunts & Uncles, Great Aunts & Uncles. What or Who "Virginia" was with after My Grandfather Basil, They or We Have Become FAMILY. We Don't Look at the Color of Our Skin, We Look at the Characteristics, Traits & DNA Were Family That's ALL That Matters!!

I'd do the same thing!

I admire your sentiment and I have no doubt that you mean it. However, it isn't always about what anybody else thinks. And you live in times now where it isn't something that will separate you from others (something very sad but happened all the time). And often, it wasn't a case of caring what others thought. Often, it was because the mother, for example, was not able to provide for her child/children or was not emotionally stable enough to handle the situation. For them, it may have been in the best interest of the child to give him or her up to someone else who could provide for them. Others, like Rita, were forced to give the child up. You live in different times.

You believe that lady? I'm not sure.

@@PlateletRichGel she was sent to a home for pregnant girls- of course she was forced to give up her child.

Sometimes it’s best for the child and very unselfish for the birthmother to put the babies needs first. While I did search for and found my birth mom 39 yrs ago and loved her, my adopted parents have always been the best parents and grandparents. I have been very blessed.

Wrong, wrong, wrong. What I disliked it for was the woman they use for the host. Cold, abrupt demeanor, unrelatable. I am thrilled for the souls that find their family member. Her male counterpart is an improvement on her.

@@kristinebailey2804 sure, but don't you think that the things people go through are extremely sad. Yes and some things are a little Immature, and hard to get behind. The point is the things these people do to find lost loved ones is imaginable. I understand were your coming from. Still try and put yourself in others shoes.

Kristen Bailey, this woman has gone through the same thing. I think she’s great.

@@kristinebailey2804 but what I'm saying is what it means to go through this show lets you connect with long lost ones without you having to work up extra money which is a hard thing. So hears what I'm asking why dose it matter weather the host. Because why push against the show when they need to have supporters.

I'm happy for you ☺ I cry EVERY time I hear of these reunions!

CONGRATULATIONS, Alexandra!

That is wonderful.

I wish you nothing but peace and love 💖

Congratulations

Maybe you will, best of luck!!

As a birth mother, you have to understand that for decades, having a baby out of wedlock WAS a scandal. It was a big shameful secret. That's why pregnant girls were sent away to have their babies - to keep the secret. In this day and age when it's completely the opposite, you have no idea of the fear and shame put on birth mothers back then.

lee yes, I totally agree. I am just expressing how terrible those times were. I can't imagine their pain, and the "control" their families or "situations" had over these young women. I imagine that in these young women's hearts, they wanted better for their babies because they couldn't give them what they needed. Women today still give their children up for adoption. Maybe the stigma is not as strong today, but they give them up for the same reasons.

My aunt had a son at 14. He found her years later and she still denied it. Unfortunately for her , he contacted my mom first and she told him the truth 🤣. He grew up mega rich he missed out on nothing.

Have you tried searching online for “how to find your birth family” ? Private detectives could search for you. Or maybe you could contact the show to ask for suggestions. Good luck. 🧡

The adopted dad is jealous and scared. It's not a good look.

Yea me too!! But I think he’s probably nervous that they will lose him. Which he let them know THEY ARE HIS PARENTS

I hear what yall are saying and it's so easy to be on a side that has no skin in the game. If you were in the position I'm sure it would be hard to comprehend and you will have a lot of feelings you are going thru. He was honest, and that is 1 of the best qualities to have in a dad. People should be grateful that he was honest about his feelings yer allowing his son to know he still could go ahead and meet the bio mom. It was heart warming when he said....all your life its been just the 3 of us....us against the world.

moi aussi

Except now it's becoming more and more common for young women to end up missing, being trafficked, or murdered by an over religious family member.. wait i forgot to mention the baby's father I've seen so many true crime cases to wear the father of the child was responsible for the pregnant mothers death.

I am 56 years old and grew up in a very strict Roman Catholic family and I was told I had HAD to get married, when I got pregnant out of wedlock. My dad had all my clothes bagged in big black trash bags and sitting outside the front door of our big rich estate, by the backdoor, where no one could see from the street. If I had known about Welfare, I would have gone and received it and gotten the hell out of there. This was 1988. My son grew up in a less than stellar environment where his parents weren't right for eachother and eventually got divorced. Which wasn't ok in the eyes of the Catholic Church, but I didn't care by then. I escaped a Domestic Violence situation and was happy to be out of that family. Now, I give people the benefit of the doubt before I judge, and that has truly changed me as a person. God bless you and your family.

I totally agree, although I never went to a home for unwed mom"s,I lived with a sister who made me give up my daughter,and yes it was very traumatizing for me. I believe it contributed to trigger part of my PTSD,and I'm sure, I'm not the only one who's gone through this,I WOULD NOT wish that on anybody

@@PlatinumIrishrose omg,I am so sorry sweetheart for what you went through,wish your situation could have been better too when you were pregnant,glad things are better for you now GOD BLESS you!!!

Because they rather push abortion... This show proves the innate connection... And the beauty of Life.

Probably because the outcomes are not so mutual in reality, unfortunately...

Theres a UK version of Long lost family, i guess TLC decided to make an American version of it, there is videos of the UK version and its very touching

Anything is possible my friend. Keep the faith continually. My condolences goes out to you and your family. I'm looking forward for my new journey on Ancestry.com. Stay strong darling continually

I'm so sorry. It's not over until it's over... things might change with your bio dad some day. And the thing to remember is that chosen family is often much more important than biofamily. Keep your loved ones close, whether they are blood or not. Best wishes.

I have 2 half siblings my dad abandoned and the family knows nothing so they cant give me clues to find them. It sucks I know they exist and I have no information and any searches with my dads information for previous marriages and etc to seek out who they might be comes up blank

@@pilsplease7561 have you done a DNA test through Ancestry or 23&Me? That's how I found my biological family. Also I joined a FB group labeled DNA Detectives & DD Social. There I was picked up by a search angel 😇. Within two months I knew where I came from and got to talk to my mom's sister for the first time. If you really want to find them I suggest doing this. The only expense I had was purchasing the test. Angel services are free if they feel they can help you they will reach out to you in those groups. Also you can request a search angel. There are many other groups that offer the same services from volunteers. It was unexpected to find that kind of care from total strangers, but it was a great experience and an opportunity to learn a new research skill.

So sorry

@@pilsplease7561 my dad's ex basically stole my half brother's when I was 2, I found them on Facebook 5 years ago! Keep searching ❤❤

So they separated a 6 and 10 year old? How cruel... I would have rather died as a child, then be separated from my brother. I get sick thinking about it. It would be worse than losing my parents.

@@brittany7573 There was good reason to do so. She has been in constant contact with her sister all her life. Her sister did not want to be adopted.

Right? There should have been a mascara warning!

So sad I got teary eyed😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

@@kellyschutte2252 There was a make-up warning you missed it!!

Jesus loves you so much!!! Just believe that He is who He says He is and that He did what He says He did and you will be Saved!!! 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Me too. This was very emotional.

Hello. Seems no one responded to you. Im 63 and was on a journey over 45yrs. Ups and downs and lots of heartbreaks. Start by doing a dna test as so much is online now. I cant do as much as I use to as I no longer live in US but I want to always pay it forward for those who helped me. I pieced together my results and in the end it wasn't a happy ending. But no one can understand the need to know but another person who has the same issues.

Exactly!!!

No it’s was the same with my adopted parents. Only logical they are afraid meeting a birth parent will affect their relationship. Mine never did. Loved them all but mom and dad were my only mom and dad .

OF course not all can have happy endings. Some mothers don't want to meet child due to their new life. But many are joyous reunions.

So sorry! One has to be prepared for what is out there. That situation sounds really tough. Bless this family.