‘My Birthday Was Yesterday’: My Adopted Son Broke Down in Tears Over His Cake

I had spent weeks planning my adopted son’s tenth birthday—decorating with balloons, ordering his favorite cake, wrapping presents late into the night. Everything was perfect.

But as he sat before the flickering candles, his shoulders began to tremble. Tears rolled down his cheeks.

“My birthday was yesterday,” he whispered. “Not today.”

My stomach dropped. The adoption papers clearly stated today was his birthday. Confused, I tried to reassure him, but he shook his head firmly.

“They made a mistake,” he said, his voice cracking. “Today’s my brother’s birthday. Not mine.”

My heart stopped. “Your brother?”

Without a word, he retrieved a small wooden box from his room and set it on the table. Inside were photographs, handwritten notes, and drawings—all featuring two blonde boys who looked unmistakably related.

“That’s me,” he said, pointing to the smaller boy. “And that’s my brother.”

**The Truth Emerges**

When we adopted him two years ago, we were told he had no family left. But these photographs told a different story. The notes were heartbreaking: “Don’t forget me.” “We’re together, always.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” I asked gently.

“I thought… if you knew, you wouldn’t want me anymore,” he whispered.

That night, we began investigating. The adoption agency had separated the brothers and sealed the records. After months of calls, legal petitions, and persistence, we finally located his brother—adopted by another family in a different state.

**A Reunion**

When they finally saw each other at a community center, they stood frozen for a moment. Then his brother whispered, “Jacob?”

“It’s me.”

They fell into each other’s arms, sobbing and refusing to let go.

**A New Beginning**

The next birthday was different. Two boys sat at the table, two sets of candles flickering side by side, two voices laughing together.

As they leaned in to blow out their candles, I realized the wish I’d carried in my heart had come true.

He wasn’t alone anymore. Neither of them was.