The idea of meeting your birth mother for the first time might vaguely remind you of The Parent Trap, where Lindsay Lohan finds out that she has a twin sister, and her mother is exactly like she had imagined. However, this heartwarming storyline actually became a reality for senior Alli Mainland over Thanksgiving Break. Unlike Lindsay, she did not find out that she has an identical twin, but she did learn that she has six half-siblings.

Alli was adopted at birth, and although her parents were always very open about the topic of her adoption, she had always wanted to physically meet her birth mother.As both her aunt and birth mother live in Chicago, when Alli was in Chicago to visit her aunt over Thanksgiving Break, she wanted to take the opportunity to finally meet her birth mother.

That opportunity arose at a restaurant right outside of the airport in Illinois, with her parents and birth grandmother by her side. “It was kind of nerve-wracking, exciting, and emotional all at the same time. I was so nervous because I didn’t really know how to feel. I didn’t even know this woman but yet she is such a huge part of my life,” Alli said.

Alli explained that during these moments, she had many things running through her head. “I was wondering if it was going to be awkward or if we weren’t going to get along. I had so many questions to ask her, and I didn’t know whether she would want to answer them or not.”

Ultimately, Alli and her mom touched on many subjects, one of which was Alli’s plans for college. Alli said that her birth mother was excited for her university plans, and was also glad that Alli’s adoptive parents have always encouraged her to do her best in school.

“I used to talk to my birth mom on the phone when I was younger, and I am friends with her on Facebook, but it was not until recently that we reconnected and started talking more.” Alli’s parents were a little nervous because the last time they saw her biological mother was at Alli’s birth. It was an emotional time for everyone, but Alli said they were happy to see that Alli got the opportunity to meet her birth mom.

Three months after the meeting, Alli says that she is still in shock. “I can’t believe I actually did it!” She said that the meeting “surpassed her expectations” because she got her questions answered and now has a great relationship with her birth mom. They have even made plans for Alli’s birth mother to attend her graduation. As for summer plans, Allison has been invited to go to her birth mom’s lake house over the summer, where she will meet her six half-siblings along with the rest of her family.