Episode 6: Holding a Place for Everyone
A Foundation in Adoption
Denise Hebert was adopted at 17 days old into a loving family in South Louisiana. Her parents, who had first-hand experiences with adoption, created an environment where love and belonging were paramount. Denise’s adoptive mother was herself adopted, and her father’s father came from the orphan trains. Adoption was naturally woven into the fabric of Denise's childhood.
"I found out about my adoption in a rather humorous and impromptu way," Denise recalls. Her older brother, in a moment of childhood pique, revealed Denise’s adoption in the middle of a sibling disagreement, a testament to the normalcy and openness with which her parents handled her adoption.
Journey to Reconnection
Denise always harbored a quiet curiosity about her birth origins, a yearning that grew after her adoptive mother passed away. Years later, with the advent of personal computers and the internet, Denise began her search to connect with her biological roots, despite the daunting feeling that it was like finding a needle in a haystack.
Her breakthrough came through a twist of fate. By chance, she discovered a website and input her birth date only to find that her birth mother had left a message—a cosmic alignment of searches that resulted in a life-changing reunion. The moment Denise and her birth mother connected, her birth mother assured her, “I didn’t give you up because I didn’t love you.”
Building New Bonds
After confirming their connection, Denise and her birth mother took cautious steps to form a relationship. They met for the first time, sharing stories and emotions. Denise also learned she had a sister, and over time, the bonds grew stronger, turning into cherished relationships that regularly brought them together for holidays and family gatherings.
Denise balanced these new relationships while honoring her adoptive parents, recognizing the crucial role they played in shaping who she is. Her experiences highlight the importance of transparency, forgiveness, and the willingness to embrace complex family dynamics.
Encountering Her Biological Father
Years later, fortuitous online matches led her to discover her biological father, a connection she made possible through DNA testing with platforms like Ancestry.com. The meeting provided answers and closure for both Denise and her father, despite him being unaware of her existence previously. Their conversations and visits confirmed the profound ties made regardless of the timeframe.
A Legacy of Compassion
Today, Denise channels her life experiences through her business, the Blue Butterfly Boutique in New Iberia. Inspired by divine connections and personal memories, like those of blue butterflies that remind her of her mother, Denise balances her life journeys and business ethos. She annually hosts a butterfly release to honor mothers and support adoption, a testament to her belief in sharing love across the threads of family histories.
