Motherhood is sacred for a woman, but if unplanned, it can be a daunting task. One woman in Utah had to make the most difficult decision after discovering her life-changing pregnancy.
Meet Gina Crotts
Born and raised in Saratoga Springs, Utah, Gina Crotts seemed like any regular woman who didn’t have anything special going on in her life. But beneath her smile lurked a painful story.
What’s Missing?
It’s not as if Gina was unhappy with her life; she had everything her heart desired. As it turns out, the reason behind her anxiety was unknowingly standing right in front of her.
A Long History
It’d been eighteen years since that fateful day, but Gina remembered it like yesterday; the burden of guilt had never left her shoulders, and she had continued to live with it until now.
Two Red Lines
As a teenager, Gina thought her life was over when she took the pregnancy test. Much to her dismay, the result was positive, and while she adored kids, she just wasn’t ready.
What’s Next for Gina?
Imagine how two simple red lines can change one’s life forever, and that's precisely what happened to Gina. Panicked, confused, and desperate, she suddenly felt so alone and helpless.
Too Young to Do Anything
Gina frantically weighed all her options and their consequences. Time was running out, and thoughts raced in her head– could she go through with this pregnancy on her own?
Thoughts to Ponder
Gina wasn’t one to fool around with men, let alone get knocked up as a teen. For her, it was shocking to find herself in this situation; she had been so careful.
An Emotional Pregnancy
Going through nine months of pregnancy wasn’t going to be easy, especially for a teenager like Gina. With raging hormones and a huge decision to be made, time was running out.
The Baby’s Here
The baby’s birth was a moment of elation, immediately followed by sadness; it was heartbreaking to think that she would be taken away from her mother; it was too soon!
A Poem for a Butterfly
Gina decided to name her baby girl Kalyn –she got to spend only one night with her, along with the rest of her family, before she was placed for adoption.
Moving on Was Hard
Fortunately, it didn’t take long before baby Kalyn got adopted. With the help of social services, Gina was able to find a suitable couple, and it was time to say goodbye.
Tidbits of Kalyn’s Life
Even before giving birth, Gina had realized that she wasn't cut out to be a teen mom. Arguably, the decision to give up her baby was a responsible one.
It’s Hard on Gina Too
Overcome with emotions, Gina often wondered what if she had kept her instead – would things have worked in her favor? Would she be happy or be regretful and remorseful instead?
Getting Her Life on Track
More than a decade had passed, and Gina yearned for a family of her own. Soon enough, love came knocking at her door when she met Brandon, and romance ensued.
Kids of Her Own
The marriage did wonders in Gina's life - she finally had something she could call her own. After getting pregnant with her first child, Gina felt this was her chance for redemption.
Sisters by Blood
When Evie was born, Gina remarked how much she looked like Kalyn- the resemblance was uncanny! As such, she served as a daily reminder of Gina’s difficult decision many years ago.
The Window of Opportunity
Gina made sure her kids never missed out on opportunities and activities, be it a karate class or taking piano lessons. She also enrolled her daughter Evie into a dance school at 13.
What Are the Chances!
One random afternoon at a dance recital, Gina caught a glimpse of something that shook her to the core. Someone by the window in the room was observing them from a distance.
Seeing Her After So Long
Gina then noticed Evie, who had a look of shock and disbelief. She pointed to another girl standing by the big window; it was the same girl she had noticed earlier.
Face to Face
It had been seventeen years since Gina last saw Kalyn in person – she was just a tiny baby back then. The universe has a funny way of bringing people back together.
A Wonderful Surprise
It was one of those moments when time stopped, and everything seemed to fall into place. Gina’s mind was racing; what would Kalyn’s reaction be? Would she resent her mother’s decision?
It’s Now or Never
Gina had spent her entire life thinking about this encounter. Meeting her daughter would not only mean so much to Gina but her family as well, but would it be the right thing to do?
Unsure of What to Do
Gina contemplated turning around and running in the opposite direction the moment she recognized Kalyn. What do you say to the child you abandoned as a baby? Where do you even start?
Questions to Answer
Before they knew it, the two women found themselves locked in each other’s arms. An emotional Gina broke the embrace and stared at Kalyn’s face, taking it all in.
Lucky to Reunite
Gina remembers how fortunate she felt when Kalyn had no qualms accepting her presence, and there was no resentment in her eyes; it was almost like a miracle.
How Was She Recognized?
Perhaps the biggest question in everyone’s minds was how on earth did Evie know the girl by the window was her sister? She had never seen Kalyn in person, let alone meet her!
Updated in Every Aspect
Kalyn’s new parents did an excellent job in regularly sending pictures, much to Gina's delight. She was content with knowing that her daughter was safe and cared for, even in her absence.
Kalyn Wasn’t a Secret
Gina never hid Kalyn's existence from her family, especially from her three kids. Evie knew she had a big sister, and she even kept a photograph of Kalyn by her bed.
A Fair Parent
Even before Gina’s family met Kalyn, she was already an integral part of their lives. She wasn’t physically there, but thanks to all those pictures and letters, it seemed like she was.
Mother-Daughter Bonding
It seemed like a dream, but Gina and Kalyn were indeed going to have their first mother-daughter date at long last. There was so much to talk about and so much to share.
A Better Person Now
Gina remembered how painful it was to let go of Kalyn. Whilst some might call her decision selfish, others can argue it was an entirely selfless choice.
Thoughts and Feelings
Kalyn was equally as excited to meet her mother. There were love and support in the air, and it's almost as if they were a real family, which, technically, they were.
No More Drama
Teens are known to have angry outbursts or the occasional mood swing, but Kalyn was entirely different. She felt blessed to have two families instead of one.
Meeting Gina Was a Dream
All her life, Kalyn heard about a certain woman whom her adoptive parents referred to as ‘Angel Gina.’ Imagine her surprise when she found out that the angel was, in fact, her biological mother!
Yearning for Her Child
As a baby develops inside its mother's womb, the two share an inseparable bond. Little did Gina know that her daughter would return to her after nearly two decades!
Drawn to the Window
Kalyn loved dancing and sit bewitched for hours, watching dancers through the window of her ballet class. As fate would have it, this led to her first meeting with her birth mother!
It Was Simply Kismet
In October 2017, Gina and Kalyn’s chance encounter at the dance class brought so much light and joy to both their families. Thanks to her, the two families grew even closer.
A Life Worth Living
If Kalyn never went to that ballet class that day, life might have turned out to be very different. Their interactions would be limited to the occasional letter or a picture.
One Happy Ending
The events leading up to their reunion were nothing short of a fairytale. Gina immortalized these memories by writing her book, A Seemingly Unfillable Heart, hoping to inspire and reunite other estranged families.