Woman Reunited With Son She Gave Up for Adoption After 62 Years

A 77-year-old woman, who gave up her son for adoption at the age of 15, has been reunited with him after 62 years, only to discover he unknowingly followed her career path as a driving instructor. Pat, from Essex, was pulled out of school by her parents when they discovered she was pregnant and was made to give the baby boy up for adoption in secret.

She named her son Steven, but after a brief moment in the hospital when a nurse mistakenly placed the newborn in her arms, he was taken away. Pat recalled the profound instant bond she felt, only to have him "snatched" away, leaving her to cry. Her mother arranged for a photographer to take a few pictures of the baby, which became Pat's only mementos.

Decades later, and after the death of her husband Dave, Pat contacted the television show Long Lost Family to help her find Steven. She learned that her son, who now goes by the name Rick and lives in Bedford, had become a driving instructor.

Upon learning this, Pat, now living in Edinburgh, became visibly emotional. Host Davina McCall presented Pat with a photograph of Rick, and Pat remarked, "That's my son, I can't believe I'm saying that." She also noted how much Rick resembled her.

Pat discovered that Rick has two children, a son and a step-daughter, making her a great-grandmother. She expressed her astonishment upon hearing this news.

In 1963, Pat's parents discovered her pregnancy when she fainted at school. She was hidden away until her due date, with the understanding that the baby would be adopted immediately and her life could return to normal. However, the brief moment she held her son in the hospital left an indelible mark. Pat and her late husband Dave later adopted four daughters, but the desire to know more about Steven persisted.

Long Lost Family airs on Thursdays at 9 p.m. on ITV and ITVX.