A Canadian pensioner has praised the part The Courier played in a “miracle” by helping her make contact with the son she put up for adoption more than 50 years ago.
Rosemary Aitken, 73, had hit a brick wall in her long-distance search for Andrew, who was born at Arbroath Infirmary on August 21 1962.
As a young woman who served in the navy she felt forced to give Andrew up two weeks after his birth but as the years passed he never left her thoughts.
The Ontario resident had been in touch with Angus Council and adoption agency Birthlink but was told no details could be released as her son had not made any inquiries about tracing her.
Losing hope, Rosemary turned to the pages of The Courier earlier this month to appeal for help.
By chance, the article was read on this website by her son, who goes by a different name and now lives in France.
The pair have subsequently had lengthy phone calls as they’ve started the process of “52 years of catching up”.
Rosemary said: “I’m absolutely overcome with joy. It’s been fantastic reconnecting it’s hard to describe because it’s something I always wanted to happen but never thought it would.
“We share so many similarities it’s uncanny. He is so much like my other sons too.
“I had tried going through the normal channels and had reached a dead end. I can’t thank The Courier enough.”
She added: “I was a little nervous before we spoke but we talked so easily and the conversation flowed naturally the call lasted for more than two hours.
“He’s had a good career and I’m delighted that he did that.
“We’ve exchanged plenty of photographs. We are now in the process of making plans to see each other face to face, which will hopefully happen before too long.
“I think he understands the circumstances now. I’m very grateful that this has happened the way it did. It think it’s a miracle.”
Her son has asked to remain anonymous to avoid upsetting his adopted family but said he was thrilled to now be in contact with his birth mother.
He said: “We have so much in common despite having been separated at my birth. I have no doubt some things are in the genes.
“I had never sought to trace my parents because I had always considered that they had not wanted me.
“However, recently I have come to appreciate fuller that in the past, things were not always that clear.
“To say that we are overjoyed is something of an understatement.”