Mom Gave up Her Son for Adoption, Then Runs into Him 18 Years Later at Walmart

Amanda Rector was reunited with her biological son in a Walmart. The two of them hadn't been together for 18 years. 

Amanda's story with her son begins back in 2004. She was struggling with addiction when she gave birth to her 2nd son, Hunter, now 19 years old. 

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She Wasn't Allowed To Take Hunter Home After Birth 

When Hunter was born, he was dependent on opioids and quickly removed from Amanda's care. Jameson, her oldest son, had already been removed. 

Amanda told Today, “I hated myself for using when I was pregnant. When Hunter came out he was so uncomfortable, and my heart … I just shut down. I knew if I looked at him for too long, I would start to hurt and I couldn’t feel that hurt." 

They asked her about car seats and a crib, but she didn't have either. She wouldn't be able to take the baby home. At the time, she was living with an abusive boyfriend but also declined an extra night in the maternity ward. 

A few days later, she brought her boyfriend into the ER for an injury. It was then that she started to realize how bad things had gotten. Looking at her reflection in the elevator, she took in her appearance and didn't even recognize herself.

Amanda Got To See Her Baby

"We were waiting for a good two hours before it even occurred to me that I could go and see the baby,” Amanda said. She then went to the nursery to see her baby boy. 

Hunter was sleeping and asked a nurse if she could see him. The nurse remembered Amanda and offered kindness, telling her she could. "I looked down at him and started whispering in his ear, ‘I’m so sorry. This is not me. I’m so sorry that this is your life,'" she said. 

Hunter was adopted by a family in town four months later. It wasn't too long after that that Amanda was sentenced to serve five years in prison for armed robbery. She ended up serving 2.5 years of that sentence. 

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Amanda Found Jesus in Prison 

On her first day in prison, she made a significant change. One that led her to be free to be reunited with her biological son years later. A choice that changed everything. She found Jesus and started to work on changing her life for the better. 

She started going to 12-step meetings and even joined the choir. "Anything that was positive or healthy, I did it," recalled Amanda. She knew she had to change the road she was on. 

God Showed Amanda That Her Son Was Happy

She had a few Hunter sightings over the years, including when she took her son Jameson, whom she regained custody of, to a fundraiser. "He had this bright red hair and pale complexion,” Amanda told Today about when she spotted Hunter all those years ago.

She told Jameson that Hunter was his brother. "Right as he looked over, this happy music came on over the intercom and Hunter started dancing," she said. Amanda felt a peace come over her at that moment. She felt like it was a message from God letting her know he was happy. 

Recently, Amanda and her son Jameson, now 21, were at Walmart when he started talking with a teenage girl. She had asked him his name, and when he told her, she pointed to a young man and said, "That’s your brother."

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Amanda Was Reunited With Her Biological Son In Walmart

And sure enough, it was Hunter. Amanda learned that Hunter had become curious about his biological mother and had discovered her identity. “I was speechless," Amanda said. "I couldn’t believe it was happening.” 

Amanda was worried he might be mad at her or even cuss her out. But luckily, she didn't have to worry about that. She reunited with her biological son right there, and they greeted one another with a warm hug. 

“I had just been talking about wanting to meet Amanda and then she appeared,” Hunter told Today. “If I wasn’t God centered, I don’t believe any of this would have happened.” The two exchanged phone numbers and talked about getting together. 

Hunter and Amanda See Each Other About Once a Week 

"As soon as they were out of sight, I just broke down sobbing," Amanda said about being reunited with her biological son. Hunter now sees Amanda about once a week.

In one of her TikToks, she talks about how he and his girlfriend were over at her house and mentioned she needed to paint her porch. They offered to help her, and you could tell how amazing that made her feel. 

Amanda has been sober for more than 17 years and is a certified peer support specialist who helps others with substance abuse. She also shares stories and answers questions about her time in prison on TikTok. 

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Amanda has totally turned her life around, and it is so inspiring. God definitely has been watching out for Amanda. From her time in prison when she found Jesus to the chance encounter in a Walmart where she got back in touch with her son. We wish her the best as she continues on this road of love and redemption.

"And you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you." - John 16:22 

WATCH: Amanda Shares The Story Of Reuniting With Her Biological Son

@prison_story Imagine wondering for 18 years if he hated you only to find out he saw it as an act of love #adoption #birthmom #update #grace #forgiveness #Jesus #God #HolySpirit #setfree #recovery ♬ original sound - Amanda Dove ❤️

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h/t: Today

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Today Parents

Julie Provost is a GodUpdates staff writer and editor. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, three boys, and little dog Max. She loves to read, go to the movies, and enjoy time with family and friends.