I've always known I was adopted. As a child I don't remember it bothering me much. It's only as an adult that I've had difficulty coping or understanding the whole idea and the ways it has affected my life. Even seven years ago I denied any negative effects that resulted from this fact.
A few times when I was younger I made half hearted attempts to locate birth family but always ran into dead ends. At the time I just assumed that meant I wasn't supposed to find or know. More recently I at one point joined reunion registry, a few times tried googling info on finding birth family. Again with very little result.
A few months ago I tried google again, and somehow chanced upon the correct combination of words to get me a little further. I found a list of confidential intermediaries for Washington state. That lead me to a web page and a FB page. Which lead to a conversation. Which gave me the info that Washington is very slowly loosening up on information that they will give to adoptees. As of July 1st I could request a copy of my original birth certificate.
It came in the mail today. I spent a long time just looking at it. For the first time. I have a name. I have HER name. Granted its a ridiculously common name so I'm guessing there is still a great amount of leg work but I know her name. Such a strange and yet hopeful feeling.
