What started with a Facebook message, ended with a new-found family.
Adele Bruce was scanning Facebook one night when she came across a photo from a wedding in Scotland with a last name she recognized.
On a whim she sent a message to the person tagged as ‘Amanda Cowans,’ the same last name that belonged to Bruce’s birth mother.
“I don’t know what made me do it, I haven’t looked [for my birth mother] ever,” says Bruce. “I just sent this text spontaneously.”
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Turns out Bruce had a whole family half a world away including two new half sisters and a half brother along with a plethora of in-laws.
“My mom passed away about six years ago, so it’s just me and my dad — and I thought what’s going to happen to me, I don’t really know anyone — now, I have a family and it’s just awesome,” says Bruce.
Her half brother Mark Worsfold was able to secure the time off and travelled more than 24 hours to visit Bruce in Canada from Scotland, arriving in Victoria on Feb. 18.
“A lot of the time when people are adopted and they find their siblings, most of the time it doesn’t work out and that’s what’s shocked me, I mean how happy we really are — we’re genuinely happy.”
Worsfold agrees adding, “We just clicked straight away, you wouldn’t think there’s been any missed time between us.”
The pair tried to pack in as much as they could over the past week, going whale watching, touring parks and experiencing the Island life. Worsfold says the trip was definitely worth the jet-lag.
“I’ve known for 30 years that I’ve got a sister but I had no idea where to start looking,” says Worsfold. “[After the Facebook message] all the little pieces of the puzzle started to fit together.”
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“We’re just so overwhelmed with learning new things. Every night we sit down and we try and FaceTime with the sisters and share what we’ve done that day,” says Bruce.
She says her life will probably end up back in Scotland but wants to spend the remaining years of her dads life on the Island with him and give her new family a chance to visit.
“Another part of me just wants to go there now though, to celebrate the holidays, get to know my nieces and nephews — I want to be the favourite auntie. I just can’t wait to be in the middle of that,” says Bruce.
Worsfold started his journey back home on Feb. 24, leaving Bruce with a lot to think about.
“I don’t really believe in miracles — but this is a miracle. You can’t predict what’s around the next corner, you’ve just got to keep hoping for the best.”
kendra.crighton@blackpress.ca
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