I Lived on Parker Avenue - Short Adoption Documentary 

I was David in 1959 ...I was raised by two wonderful people who gave me everything life could offer. I met my birth Mother and two younger Sisters in 1992 - The circle was completed -

I was adopted at 3 years old. I wouldn’t have traded it for anything. It’s been an incredible life.

I am a child who was adopted and DIDN'T feel loved or cared for beyond the most basic needs by my adoptive parents. My birth mother could have chosen abortion. As an adult, I have left my childhood behind me. If I let it effect me, I lose. I have a beautiful life, with a man who treats me like a queen and believes my opinions have merit. I was told I would never have children of my own, but long after giving up, after nine years of marriage, I had my first child, then my second, then my third and then my fourth. They are my world and my joy. Please don't think for a moment that the possibility of choosing not so great parents is worth ending that child's life. I'm here and four more beautiful souls are here because my birth mother chose life. I would NOT go back and change anything, lest I change something in the now, because the now is too beautiful to chance changing.

When he wrote letters to them at dinner I lost it. He was raised so right! Anyone will be lucky to marry this one.

I too was adopted at 2 and I was adopted by the most amazing parents. They supported me on my search for my birth mother and I found her,reconnected with her, and my 5 younger siblings. By meeting her, it strengthed my love I have for adoptive folks all the more. My birth mother kind of ignored me the last years of her life( she has since passed), and I no longer hear from any of my siblings. My adoptive Dad passed away last year and my Mom over 10 years ago.I was extremely loved by them and wish now my childhood had not been such a struggle of " searching" and feeling I did not belong....because now as a 65 yr old, I realize I was safe and surrounded in love by my family who adopted me. Thanyou for sharing your story with us.

David, you have grown into a remarkable young man. You mentioned that you often ask “why was I saved” well I feel you were saved because this world needs more good hearted young men like yourself. Your story touched my heart. May you continue to have a blessed life.

I hope this film saves many babies. Thank you for doing such a great job.

I was pregnant at 17..so glad my family helped me and I kept my baby. So glad each of you who gave these people the gift of life..whether you were able to raise your child or whether you blessed someone else with that gift. God bless us all!

I adopted two sisters and it was wonderful. We even got in touch with their mother

I am blessed with this video. I’m a Birth Mother; I placed my daughter for adoption many years ago. We were able to meet a couple of years ago. I know giving her life was the right thing to do. God intervened in both of our lives. I’m thankful for what He has done in our lives.

I too was adopted out in 1952 & have met my birth mother & family. I was blessed to take care of my adopted Mother in her old age & the last thing she told me was it the best thing she ever did. This video is a blessing. Thank you for sharing this.

Thank goodness Melissa was so brave to say 'no' and thank goodness for the brave person who stood there and said 'ten fingers and toes' and saved his life.

Congratulations on winning the adoption lottery ! To those of us who lost that lottery it means so much to hear about people who won. So glad that you now have an even bigger group of people who love you, I wish the best for your whole family. : )))

What an incredible story of love. I was born & adopted. Just met my mama at 55 years old & met my three sibling’s. It is amazing to have always known my mother chose life.

LOVE this so much! I teach at an international graduate school in Manila. I just showed your film to an international class of women from seven different countries in SE Asia--Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. We were all moved to tears. They are all learning how they can better help educate and save lives in their countries when they return. May God continue to bless you and use your story in ways beyond all we can imagine!

What a mature and insightful guy he's turned out to be! He completes so many people..

I wish I was adopted by his parents,what amazing human beings they are.

As a adoptive parents, this was powerful for us. We also watched Lifemark (the feature film about this story) with our young adult adopted daughter. If you haven't seen Lifemark yet, you've got to see it, so wonderful.

So beautiful! Knowing we ALL have an adoption story when we come into the family of God. Oh, what manner of love the Father has given to us... happy to become the children of God! Thank you for sharing...

Lat night I joined prolifers in Victoria Texas in our annual Candlelight Prolife March that ended at our parish. There, the prolife coordinator spoke highly of you and your testimony and then we watched your documentary. It was such a beautiful story of bravery and God's love and restoration. The healing...goodness the healing!! Very powerful! I'm very grateful to you and your parents for your willingness to share this story.

I too gave my little girl up for adoption. . .we have reunited and she just found her dad..Thank you for this video..sitting here crying the feelings never go away. I gave her up because I love her. . .

David is a blessing & you are amazing mother for giving him for adoption . Thank you God for the gift of life . May Jesus be with All of you that is involved in David’s life.

Thank you David. I understand your sister's sibling yearning. I was adopted out of Germany and grew up in Indiana. I found out I had 4 full siblings (3 left living). I met them and within 2 weeks, had to go back to USA to my home. I missed many years with them growing up and still do...it's a positive and a negative....I am quiet about my pain but it gave me strength to see your positive outcome. Blessings on your family and life 🙏 ❤️

I have 4 boys and treasure every second of their existence, I don't think I could have survived giving one of them up. She must have carried such a huge burden for him all these years. I'm so glad that she didn't murder him even when it made sense to her to do so. I hope that every woman is brave enough to choose life for their babies. I wish they went a little more into how she dealt with his loss in her life.

Best prolife documentary ever! Congrats. I am a volunteer adoption search angel. I assist adoptees and birth parents with finding their long-lost loved ones. Adoptees are some of my closest friends and I can't imagine life without them.

What a sweet, sweet story. David's smile was everything. And this is also a lesson about how we jump to conclusions that can be far off base.

The street sign tied it all together; the title and the story. Lovely film

Showing it to my entire Adoption Law class! Great documentary! Thank you for sharing your story with us.

I had to give up a son n 1969 & it still hurts . Never have met him. I literally cried when he met his mom. Little sister really connected with him & that’s a good thing.

I found my married birth parents 37 years ago when I was 21. They had married two years after my birth and I had a younger sister and brother. They're divorced now and my birth mother doesn't want anything to do with me but I'm very close to my sister and brother. My adoptive parents and my birth dad are best friends now too!

Wow respect how forgiving and positive that young man has been! Awesome! Thumbs up! What a gift!

I didn't meet my son until he was 39. He knew he was adopted since he was five years old. I missed so many years but still feel blessed to have many years ahead to develop a relationship with him and his family. It can be overwhelming, even fearful, of what happens next but, I believe, it's about one visit at a time. BTW, the similarities are uncanny - he has similar physical features and many of the same interests as me.

So BEAUTIFUL! The sacrifice of the gift of giving away a baby, combined with the beauty of raising someone else's child. This is so incredibly heartwarming! Thank you for sharing your love, your pain, your triumph. The takeaway for me was..Wow, the power of one good decision. Amazing!

My story was very similar and I am very grateful to the Lord for my birth Mothers decision & for the parents He gave me. I have 5 children & 10 grandchildren & I’ve been blessed. God is good!

What beautiful moving story. My niece is adopted. She has a wonderful life with such loving parents. We are all are so grateful to her birth mother for her decisions. It takes strength to give life. Thank you for filming this.

The son is soo beautiful and forgiven...oh and Pandora Radio brought me here.

I am an adoptee as well, I completely relate to your questions and knowing I was different than my friends (they just couldn’t understand how it feels), the longing to find my birth family. God led me to them in 2012, my BM has paranoid schizophrenia and now dementia, and it was early stages when I talked to her on the phone, she was so very sweet and pleasant and a bit confused at times. I also met an aunt and her daughter, they were very kind but do not desire a relationship and I’m ok with that, I got to see pictures of that side of my family and learned their history (my history!). I did not have a happy childhood but I do have a wonderful family now and I’m so very thankful she chose life, and thank you for this beautiful story, I cannot wait to watch it❤️

This documentary was so beautifully done. Thank you for the life-giving message. And thank you to all those strangers who stood on hard concrete sidewalk outside the abortion clinic to tell this woman that she actually has a baby in her. God bless you all.

Wow, what a beautiful story. I had to look twice when they showed photos of Brian as a teen, because David as a young man looks exactly like his father at that age. How wonderful to be so deeply loved by two sets of beautiful, giving, sacrificial parents. The Lord has been so gracious to you all. ❤

Wonderful! Bless you Melissa for choosing life and giving another family such a beautiful gift.

I just saw Lifemark, and it was incredible. I had to come see what it was based on. Life is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing this powerful story.

So Beautiful, I cried so much, thank you Jesus 🙏🙏😇👏🏻👏🏻

Fantastic film, a most beautiful story, a most loving family, and the story of how they became a family.

Love. Love, love, love this. We're in the adoption process now and it's terrifying. My biggest fear is that our child won't like us, and also wondering how we'll talk to him or her about adoption and birth family in the future. There are so many negative adoption stories out there- this was so beautiful to see. Thank you.

PHENOMENAL! Thank God for Life & those with the courage to defend and stand for it in a world obsessed with convenience.

As someone who was adopted this hit home for me, God Bless sir!

What a beautiful story! So proud of all of you for dealing with this situation with so much selfless love!

What a beautiful story! And what an amazing woman Melissa is, very courageous to have made that decision alone when she was so young. I can't imagine going through 9 months of pregnancy and giving birth to a healthy child and then handing him over to another couple to be raised. It must be the toughest decision a woman ever has to make in her life, and it is also the most generous and loving decision. Her gift made it possible for another couple to become parents. It's so wonderful that they reconnected and everyone loves each other. David has been blessed with TWO sets of parents who both love him and want the best for him. And he found the most special gift of all - he has a little sister! I wish every young pregnancy could end this way, and I wish every adoption could be as filled with loving and caring people as this one. This is how it should be done. This video made my day, and probably my week! What an amazing story - truly a story of the greatest gift anyone can give. I hope they all live long, prosperous and trouble-free lives

Thank you for sharing your stories. You all were so courageous to allow us to see your raw emotions and special reunion. I pray that millions of women and men will see this wonderful movie and also choose the life-giving option of adoption. God bless you all!

What a beautiful film! A compelling and powerful story. A work of art with the cinematography and composition. Will definitely share.

What a redemptive story! Brian and Melissa had a grown son to get to know rather than the memory of a death. Praise God!

Truly one of the most heart-warming stories I've ever heard. The courage displayed by David's birth mother is refreshing, and I hope that this story will give courage to other women who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy... to give life to their baby, and maybe even again to an adoptive couple who long to be parents. And David... what a wonderful and mature young man! May God continue to richly bless you in life, David, wherever you go, whatever you do--He has a plan for your life and I can see you want to fulfill it. Thank you to all of you who shared this beautiful, poignant story.

Glory to God 😭 What a beautiful reunion!

Thanks for sharing your story..I was also adopted in 1963. I found both birth parents and had a good experience connecting with them as well..truely ment a lot to me to do it..took 37 years.

David, we are extended family. You are a blessing to the world!

Perhaps the most beautiful blessed true life story I've heard in a long time! We need more stories like these. It gives hope in a very dark World. And there are far too many people who need to hear about miracles like this! May God continue bless you all !

The adopted parents are amazing, so selfless. God bless you.

Very touching story and amazing documentary with raw emotions. I recommend it to anyone, despite your views on the subject, the film is about love and family. Thank you so much for sharing your story David.

Life is beautiful. Pro Life Feminist here !!!

God Bless you and your families.

I was David in 1957. I was adopted at 3 months old by my amazing Momma and Daddy and lived an amazing life. I always knew I was a "chosen child" as they said. On my 18th birthday they gave my adoption papers with only my birth name , date born and place of birth. With the information of young woman. No Father mentioned. I was in awe seeing my birth name, feeling loved just by being given a name. I did not pursue doing anything with this information until after my Momma and Daddy passed away. I put my information on every adoption registry out there. No responses, until my 58th birthday. Simply identified as Old man that knows your story. When I reached out his family informed me he had passed away. For my 59th birthday my son gave me a DNA kit. God surely had a plan as the first person that popped up was a high match. Contact made, turned out to be my Uncle on my Birth Father's side. After talking on the phone he knew immediately which of his 3 brothers was my Father. Long story short, for my 60th birthday I got to run into the arms of my Poppa, as he asked me to call him. Surrounded and supported by his wife ,4 half siblings and their families. There is nothing like the feeling of finally seeing who you look like and where certain manorisims come from. My sister, 2 years younger than I could be twins !!! During this same time I also found my birth Mothers side. Sadly she had passed away 7 years prior. But I would later go to a family reunion that as soon as they saw me get out of the car, they knew I was theirs. Such an amazing feeling. I wanted 1 thing through out my life and that was to thank my Mother for giving life to me and that I held no bad feelings toward her, only loved her. I was only given that chance standing by her grave. But I know in my heart she heard me,as it gently rained like tears from heaven while we stood there. I also have to half siblings from her side. We don't say half siblings on either side, we're just brother's and sisters. Today at 65 1/2 years old I talk to my Poppa everyday, we live several states apart. But I go up every year to spend time with them. Every other day my brother ,on my Mother's side , are on the phone. Treating each other as siblings do... lol. Laughing, teasing but mostly loving each other! What a blessing to my life. I know my roots, my ancestry and my story of how I came to be ! Loved your video. So touching. I cried when you held your birth Mom and Dad and hearing their story. We are both blessed, as many adoptees never get this chance. Hope and pray life is treating you well !!

What a brave and powerful woman to get up off that table. To carry that guilt for years and he didn't hesitate to tell her he didn't hate her for almost doing it. She couldn't even process it at first.

This is so powerful. The parents did a great job raising such a wonderful young man and biological mom is the hero of the story. Thank you for sharing. This story is a testimony to how good God is and how much one life effects so many people.

What a special adopted mom she is! Birth mom couldn’t of asked for anyone better!

God bless this young man. i am glad his mom chose life. he is so handsome.

I can sure relate... adopting a daughter in 1976...

Beautiful story lovely boy beautiful smile. Glad he found his mom and dad♥️

Nice documentary :) I'm a guy and I was about to cry but I held it in :)

What a beautiful, and empowering story. I have always had nothing but the up most respect for parents who choose adoption. One of the most hardest and most unselfish decisions a parent can make. I absolutely love how warm, thankful and loving your adopted mom is to your birth mom. I also love how thankful your birth mom is to your adopted mom. And how thankful and loving your entire adopted family is to your birth mom and dad. My grandma was adopted. Unfortunately when she met her birth mom, it was not a good thing. She did however tell me that she was still very grateful to her for giving her up for adoption. Even though she was 8yrs old when she was taken from the state and adopted out, and her adopted parents changed her name at 8yrs old. Her adopted parents were amazing, and it was a much better Family and home than she was in with her real mom. I hope this story reaches many many other parents who are on the fence about adoption, and shows them that adoption is an amazing choice. There are so many parents out there who can not have children or have many of the same problems either conceiving or some the same as your adopted parents/mom had, and would give a child a loving, safe, stable, wonderful, family, home and life. God Bless you all, and thank you so much for sharing this beautiful and most amazing story and journey of your life, and your incredible reunion with your birth parents with us!!

Beautiful doc, thank you so much. Gave me a hope in the power of standing up for life, not killing an innocent. Why should a product of a careless act of self pleasure, be killed? My heart goes out to the Mom, selflessness so evident on your face. And the adopted family, such love! Wow! Made my day. Losing to babies, BUT GOD……

What a beautiful story of a courageous young women who gathered the strength to let her baby live!

I love hearing a good story! Made me cry like a baby! Thank you for taking us on your journey. God Bless!

...still cryin, beautiful story, beautiful people ❤️

Absolutely amazing!

Thank God that this mother allowed her child to live! She chose life!

BIG MIRACLE!!!

I was pregnant at seventeen, almost eighteen. He was nineteen and a half. That was way back in May 1971. We married , lived in a caravan in his parents back yard and everyone was delighted when Joanne was born. She still delights everyone she meets. We have another daughter and a son. They are all grown and have families of their own. Hubby and I did it really hard for many years, but with the help of his family and the love and acceptance of everyone we have had many good years altogether. I was very lucky……and I know it

What a beautiful story. Your birth mom is a hero!!

I think these families have much to be proud of. The selflessness, the acceptance and the love. Beautifully said and done. Blessings.

Absolutely stunning and beautiful, my heart is so full of Love for them all.

This has me in complete tears i too am an adopted child and i know all of his feelings and her feelings too that i was able to hear from my birth parents. Thank you for sharing your story grateful all your parents are able to share in the birthing and raising of a beautiful soul. I wish you guys all the best and David i were meant to be in this world

What a touching story. David's family just really grew. I hope he nurtures the relationship with his little sister as well as with his half siblings and steps and and and.

What an amazing story that I know impact many lives!

All I see is love. Love from everyone to everyone. This is the most beautiful story.

What an awesome story! I’m so grateful your mother made the decision to walk out of that abortion clinic so long ago. It warms my heart to see the healing you brought to hers. I’m also happy to see that you got to meet, and begin a relationship with, your biological father. Your parents and grandparents seem like absolutely wonderful people 💗. What a blessing to have such a loving and supportive family. I grew up never knowing who my biological father was but, with the help of Ancestry, I found him in late 2018. He flew up to Alaska twice in 2019 to meet me and my husband and spend time with us. It’s been a wonderful blessing to have found my father.

What a beautiful story you have created by joining birth and adoptive families together. I wanted to hug everyone!

I came here thinking it's going to be a typical adoption reunion story, and it was, but this was better than a real mon/son story. It had every detail perfect despite the quirks: an adopted son who had such (an almost divine) understanding of how ever grateful he must be toward his adoptive parents, and yet longing to know his roots, fearing what this search might make his adoptive parents feel like. That party with letters was so beautiful! (Initially the 'filmy' touch was a put off, but the film was magically done, it was a true documentary! Of a real thing!). Then the regret and unabashed honesty and apology of the birth mother - it was so pure, also seeing people who are products of their time, yet reaching within to the timelessness in the eternal human deep. Then the little sister who could tell the original connection she feels for her big brother. Then the biological father and his hesitation, then it thawing, and his fear and regret. The hero of this story, the adopted son, is a true hero. Your love and sympathy and magnanimity sets a high bar. One of the best adoption reunion stories I've ever watched. I'm still fighting tears typing. If only we all fear God and obey His commands, there'd be a lot lesser heartache. Still, God can make something gorgeous through every scar. May everyone in this story find peace and healing. Much love n sympathies. Ps: I forgot to add another perfect bit to the story: the triumph the adoptive parents show on the day of the reunion - it was so vindicating. Yep, one always sympathizes with remorse n regret, but that 2 people loved a forgotten child and made a prince of him was right on the top of the plot. Bless them.

Thank you so much for allowing me in your life as I watch this beautiful reunion!! I cried when you and your birth mother held each other as she wept on your shoulders and the on your adoptive mother's shoulders. I cried also. Jesus certainly has a beautiful plan for your life 🙏 May the Lord Jesus guide you to the life He's called you to live.

This was amazing! People can argue all they want about which side of the politics they are on, but there's no arguing with the truth of the guy's voice as he tells his story. Powerful! and the gift to the birth mom at the end....WHOAH!!!! To know that your decision and sacrifice through adoption had an unimaginable impact on others you'll never know is so powerful! Kudos David!

The 20 people who disliked this are heartless.

Saw this in bronx New York at saint Raymond's was really good

What a beautiful family and a picture of grace and kindness triumphing. Life is a gift never to be taken for granted. I am grateful today.

Beautiful! thank you for sharing your story

I’m crying….this is so absolutely beautiful! Thank you! Thank you!

I’m another survivor of a horrible adoption. No one should ever have to go through what I went through. I’ve faced alcoholism, extreme depression, anxiety, and CPTSD as a result. I’ve been in a mental hospital twice in my adult life. This is the part of adoption people don’t talk about.

This film is beautiful, just so beautiful!!! thank you so much for making it and sharing with the world. We never know what impact our words can have. "your baby has 10 fingers and 10 toes.." - such a simple and true phrase but life-giving to one very special and grateful young man.

So powerful.Thank you for posting this on FB for all to see. God bless you DAVID !

What a beautiful and heartbreaking ( in a good way ) story.!!!Thank you so much for posting.

Mother (Melissa) in coral, son David in purple, BEST HUG EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR, thank you for sharing your stories. David, thank you for coming to Canada to celebrate life

I have to congratulate his adoptive family for raising such an amazing man!!