Our meeting with Cassie was a very interesting and unique experience. There were four triad members who met with Cassie, 3 birth moms, (including me) and one adoptee. We met at a designated spot one afternoon and parked our cars. Then we were whisked up to the Starting Over ("SO") house via their van.

Upon our arrival, we were taken to a side patio where
they briefed us as to the taping, and told us what they hoped our meeting would accomplish for Cassie. Considering the fact that this was reality television, I was a tad skeptical at first.

However, I was genuinely impressed that they were not just going for drama and ratings. Their main concern was to handle the search and possible reunion in a delicate manner.

Next, we were all fitted with microphones. We had the mikes on for a few minutes before the taping began. I found it interesting that I really did forget that I had it on. Being that SO is a reality t.v. show, they did not do our make-up. Too bad, I was so hoping that they would. Oh well!

At the appointed time, we were directed over to the front of the house. The taping began as we knocked on the door and Cassie let us in. The cameraman continued to tape us for about an hour as we talked to Cassie. Not until the episode was broadcast did we have any clue as to how they would edit our meeting.

Back to Cassie's story. After her son turned 18, she contacted his adoptive mother. Let's just say that she wasn't greeted warmly. The adoptive mom was not at all receptive to Cassie, in fact, she sounded fairly hostile and basically told her to go away. There was some doubt as to whether she had told their son that he was adopted.

Cassie needed to regroup after the adoptive mom's less than enthusiastic reception. Her other goals accomplished, she graduated from the SO house at that point. In the past year or so, Cassie made contact with her son and recently returned to the SO house for their first face-to-face reunion meeting to occur.

It turns out that one of the reasons that the adoptive mom reacted so violently to Cassie's reappearance was because she had told their son that Cassie was dead. Apparently he had been told that he was adopted, but he thought his birth mom was deceased.

Did I say that I was going to give you a brief sypnopsis of Cassie's story? Brevity isn't one of my strengths, sorry! Bottom line, on Monday Cassie's reunion with her son will be broadcast. She seemed like a very sweet, decent person and I wish her the best. I'll definitely be watching their reunion!

To Be Continued.....................................