Daniel Smith | Shelley Pitts and her son, Daniel Smith | Source: Facebook.com/shelley.t.pitts
After giving her newborn son up for adoption, a young mother silently celebrated all his birthdays and never forgot about him. Then, one day, she stumbled upon something that completely altered her life.
Some of our life’s most complex decisions haunt us long after we’ve made them. They might take an emotional toll on us, holding us back from living life to the fullest. Something similar happened to Shelley Pitts of Texas when she became pregnant at 14.
Initially, she felt a wave of denial because she thought she was too young to have a child. Also, she knew nothing about being pregnant and couldn’t fathom the unusual symptoms she felt. So, she decided to go on with her life as if nothing had happened.
Three months into her pregnancy, Pitts told everything to her boyfriend, Sidney, who tried to comfort her. They began discussing whether the baby would be a boy or a girl, who the baby would resemble, and what they would name the baby.
Sidney shared he wished to call the baby ‘Sidney Jamal or Jamal Donnell’ if he was a boy. Pitts expressed she would like to call her son ‘Elijah.’ Even while behaving as immature teen future parents, Sidney and Pitts were scared about their parents’ reactions.
They decided not to say anything to their families. Over time, her baby bump started showing, even though she wore bagging clothing to conceal her body. The kids at school became suspicious, partly because Sidney and Pitts had shared the news with their close friends.
Soon afterward, everyone at school learned Pitts and Sidney’s story, including the teachers. The couple became a subject of gossip and judgment. It was the late 80s, and they were the only interracial couple in Texas to publicly declare their relationship.
Pitts and Sidney didn’t mind the stares because they were in love and ready to overcome the obstacles. Sidney was a star player and a handsome man with a charismatic personality. His friends and teachers admired the confidence he exuberated.
He was also eyed by girls at school, who labeled him “the black football player with a white girlfriend.” Pitts was an introverted, chubby girl and preferred staying quiet. Fortunately, the teen couple got along well, and Sidney valued Pitts as his girlfriend and best friend.
Eventually, Pitts and Sidney plucked the courage to tell their parents about the pregnancy. Their families were deeply hurt but insisted the couple put their baby up for adoption. They found an adoption agency that agreed to take their case as a biracial couple.
Pitts was given a place to stay during her pregnancy, where she received the necessary medical care. Sadly, she remained alone and only talked to her family and Sidney through letters and cards. Pitts also discovered...
