My name is Kristin Welch-Scheurer. I was born in Florida, where my biological mother put me up for adoption as soon as I was born.

It was a private adoption done in Florida.. The gynecologist for both my biological mother and my adoptive mother  arranged the adoption immediately after my birth.

I was adopted by an incredible loving family. I was always told I was adopted. It was always celebrated, and I always told my story as: ‘my biological mother was young and I had one older, very close in age sister, and my bio mom couldn’t afford to keep both of us.’

Growing up, we attended a church that had a Sunday School class specifically for children who were adopted. Once a quarter we would all meet after church and the families would grab lunch together.  Our adoption story was celebrated.  I recall my mother sharing with me “I prayed for you for years”, “You were wanted long before we ever met you.”.

I was homeschooled, and while it was always seen as a positive that we were adopted and loved, we quickly noticed our family was rather small compared to other homeschool families who had 6+ kids… I often wondered if my parents would adopt again, but they did not.

Since our family was one of the families who ‘had fewer’ kids we would babysit a lot of the other children in our homeschool group as a lot of their parents were missionaries. I loved it when there were a lot of kids in our house and I always hoped I would have a big family one day.

Years went by, I graduated from High School with Honors, obtained two business degrees from UNF, got married and then divorced… I lived a pretty typical life.

Fast forward to 2017, as you may recall from earlier in my adoption story; I was the second of 2 daughters born to a young mother when my biological mother decided to put me up for adoption.  By this time, I was in my mid-30’s and had given birth to two daughters, at the time one was 11 and one was 3.  I couldn’t imagine giving up the second one.

I knew how much I had to have been loved to have a woman who was willing to say “I want to give you a better life than I know I can give you”.  My curiosity was at its peak and I decided I wanted to learn more about my story.

Not because I was looking for a mother or a father, I had those and wonderful parents for that matter.  Not because I had a “family void” in my heart or in my world, quite the opposite actually, my family was very fulfilling.  Rather, it was because I knew everything about me from my birth on… but nothing prior to that date.

I took a 23&me DNA test and learned that I am Italian, British and Native American. I was super curious to know more about ‘my story’.

I didn’t know my medical history. I didn’t know who I looked like, what Native American tribe, nature vs nurture characteristics etc. I didn’t know my origin story.

I knew it was a closed adoption all done in Florida, but after taking the 23&me test and learning my ancestry, I then learned I needed to hire a private investigator to find my biological family.

Side note-  I did contact the State of Florida and filed an appeal requesting my original birth certificate for medical purposes which every adopted child has the right to do… I am still waiting on that report. 

Before my private investigator agreed to take my case, she asked me a very serious question. She said: “Kristin why do you want to find these people, they may not have wanted you back then, they may not want you now”. “These things don’t always have happy endings.”

I thanked her and I appreciated her sharing her concern, and that I was not seeking anything from anyone.

I have a mother, I have a father, I am a whole human. I do not feel abandoned, I do not feel rejected. I am not trying to ‘fill any voids in my life’ I know that I am loved beyond measure. I am so grateful for my life. I would love to meet my biological mother and father and just say “thank you” – thank you for loving me enough to want to give me a life beyond what you were able to provide. And I would really like to learn about my medical / family history.

She agreed she would conduct my investigation.

Again, the search for Bio fam started Fall of 2017, and after a few months of investigation I found my biological mother, my half-sister and 2 half-brothers (nieces and nephews also).

Everyone still lives in Florida. I spoke with and met my biological sister first. She and my biological brothers did not know about me.  My biological mother never told her other children about me. However, they all embraced me selflessly and with love.  It was an absolutely amazing experience to meet all this new family.

My parents have also met my bio mom, sister, brothers and nieces and nephews as well.

We are in each other’s lives today.  My biological mother is Italian and originally from New York. Sadly, with a broken heart I share that my biological mother passed away in the Fall of 2023.  She was way too young, but I am beyond grateful for the 6 years I had meeting her, learning about my biological mother’s side of her family and meeting all of the other biological family. Again I feel extremely blessed beyond measure to have learned everything I have about my story prior to my birth from her.  She will always be a part of me and I am grateful for her love.

My private investigator also found my biological father, however when I connected with my biological mother she told me who my biological father was and it was implied that I may have been created out of a marital affair.  I also learned that once my biological father was told that my biological mother was pregnant, she never saw or heard from him again. He never knew I was a girl, never knew I was put up for adoption, never knew I live in the same city as his two other children.  He is native American (Navajo tribe) … my story is not over, I am vacillating over whether or not to reach out to him now.  Afterall, I do not want it to be too late before I ever physically get to meet him.

(Side note- I have connected with 1 biological half-brother I have on my dad’s side, he was also put up for adoption.  I have also connected with cousins I have from my biological dad’s side. Everyone is also still here in Florida) 

So why am I sharing all of this?

Well the reality is there is not a day that goes by that adoption has not affected my life. If any element of my story had looked any different I would not have my life and my daughters today and well the truth is, I love my life and my girls are my world.  I am constantly reminded that I am my own case study of nature vs. nurture and it’s been fascinating to see, for my own life, which one has weighed more in my life.  I have more family than I could have imagined. I know I am loved unconditionally… and I know I am not alone.

I know there are a lot of adoption stories that do not have ‘happy beginnings and happy endings’, but I know a lot of them do.  That is why I created this site and our annual award.  I want to recognize the people and families that selflessly helped positively impact someone’s adoption story.  Whether it is the loving adoptive parents, the foster parents, the community liaisons, the judge, the social worker, the doctors, the administrators or any other role.

If you know someone who has helped shape someone’s adoption story for the better, please go to the Nominate tab and tell me more about their story.  I would love to honor and recognize them.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Do not forget to come back soon and to see the people we are recognizing for the 2023 Angels of adoption award for November- National Adoption Month.