A university lecturer from Liverpool has met his birth mother for the first time, 45 years after he was adopted. The emotional reunion between Paul, 45, and his mother, Paula, 64, was arranged by the ITV programme Long Lost Family and is set to be broadcast this week.
Paul, who grew up in Walton Village, was contacted by the show's producers earlier this year, leading to a journey that reconnected him with the woman who made the difficult decision to give him up for adoption in 1980.
Key Takeaways
- Paul, a 45-year-old Liverpool university lecturer, met his birth mother Paula for the first time.
- Paula, now 64, placed her son for adoption in 1980 due to difficult family circumstances.
- The reunion was facilitated by the ITV series Long Lost Family, presented by Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell.
- Paul described an instant connection with his mother, noting their striking physical resemblance and shared sense of humour.
A Difficult Decision in 1980
The story begins over four decades ago with Paula, a 19-year-old from Liverpool facing an uncertain future. According to accounts shared on the programme, Paula grew up in a challenging environment where her parents were heavy drinkers. When she became pregnant, the baby's father was no longer in the picture.
Concerned that she could not provide a stable home, Paula made the heart-wrenching choice to place her child for adoption. She believed it was the only way to ensure her son would have the best possible start in life. In 1980, she gave birth to a boy she named Lee.
Just two days after his birth, the baby was placed into care. Paula recalls the moment as deeply painful. A few weeks later, she met the couple who wished to adopt her son. She described them as a kind and caring pair who promised to name their new baby Paul, a gesture to honour his birth mother.
Adoption in the UK
According to the Department for Education, there were 2,960 children adopted from care in England in the year ending 31 March 2023. Adoption practices have changed significantly since the 1980s, with more emphasis on open communication where possible.
A Life in Liverpool
True to their word, the adoptive couple, Christine and Peter, named their son Paul. He was raised in a loving and supportive home in Liverpool and grew up to become a university lecturer.
Paul has always known he was adopted and speaks highly of his parents, describing them as "amazing." He told the Liverpool Echo that he never felt like there was a "missing piece of the jigsaw" in his life. His primary motivation for connecting with his birth mother was not to fill a void, but to express his gratitude.
"I just knew, no one can ever have too much love in your life. And if all I got to do was say thank you to Paula for all the sacrifices she made then that was enough," Paul explained.
Despite his contentment, the opportunity to finally meet Paula was one he embraced immediately. The journey began when a letter from the Long Lost Family production team arrived at his home earlier this year.
The Path to Reunion
The ITV series, now in its 15th season, specialises in reconnecting relatives who have been separated for many years. After receiving the letter, Paul wasted no time. He contacted the producers within an hour to confirm his interest.
His family, including his adoptive parents, were fully supportive of his decision. Within 24 hours of the initial contact, Paul was committed to the process, ready to embark on what he called a "new adventure."
The Role of Long Lost Family
Long Lost Family uses a team of specialist researchers and intermediaries to trace missing relatives and facilitate reunions. The show, presented by Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell, has been instrumental in hundreds of family reconnections since it first aired.
The show's researchers were able to locate Paul, confirming he was still living in Liverpool, the same city where his life began. This set the stage for one of the most significant moments of his and Paula's lives.
An Instant Connection
The reunion itself was a powerful and emotional moment. Paul described making eye contact with Paula for the first time and immediately feeling an undeniable bond. His first words to her acknowledged their connection.
“I’m definitely yours,” he said upon seeing her.
Paul was struck by the uncanny physical similarities between them. Having never met a blood relative before, he found it strange to see his own features reflected in someone else. The connection went beyond looks; they bonded almost instantly.
He credited their rapid rapport to a shared personality trait. "We instantly clicked," Paul said, attributing their easygoing interaction to their "dry, Scouse wit." He added, "That's the thing that surprised me most how quick we bonded."
The story of Paul and Paula offers a moving insight into the long-term impact of adoption and the enduring connection between a mother and son. Their journey highlights the profound sacrifices made by birth parents and the gratitude of children raised in loving adoptive homes.
Viewers can watch the full story unfold on the upcoming episode of the popular ITV programme.
Long Lost Family will continue on Thursday, September 25, at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.