Benjamin Hulleberg was reunited with his birth mom, Holly Shearer, after she sent him a message on Facebook wishing him a happy 20th birthday.
Holly was a teenager when she gave birth to Benjamin and placed him for adoption. Benjamin and his parents, Angela and Brian Hulleberg, had made attempts over the years to find her, but as they only knew her first name, their attempts were always unsuccessful.
However, his birth mom had been keeping an eye on Benjamin from afar, thanks to Facebook, and on his 20th birthday, she finally worked up the courage to send him a message.
Holly Shearer told Good Morning America,
He was always on my mind. More so on holidays and his birthday, roller coaster of emotions. I thought about him all the time.
Benjamin said when he first read her message his immediate reaction was very emotional,
I was crying. It was all very positive emotions, but to me, this is a day I had been waiting for the past 20 years of my life and to imagine that it was finally happening was outrageous. It was a lot to take in.
After 20 years of being apart, Benjamin wanted to meet her as soon as possible, so they planned to meet in person the following day, along with both of their families.
When I saw her, she stood up and she gave me a hug and I cried. I just looked at her and I was like, ‘You're real, like you're in front of me.' And it was surreal.
The two quickly realized that they had likely passed one another going to and from work, parking in the same garage as Shearer went to her job as a medical assistant at St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City, while Hulleberg spent time as a volunteer in the NICU at the same hospital.
Since reconnecting, Benjamin has made a habit of stopping by his mom's office each week to catch up. He told Good Morning America,
"Being able to sit down with my biological mom and just have coffee and talk before I go on my shift at the NICU? It's been amazing.
Holly said of being reunited with her son,
It's just exciting. I'm part of his life. Just knowing that his phone number is in my phone and I can call him or text him anytime … it's amazing. My heart is full.
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