Elizabeth Garrott’s story | “To me, my father had died, and there was no changing that. I was looking at a shell of the man I once knew.”

by Them Before Us | Jun 3, 2019 | Stories

My parents were married in their early twenties as a lot of couples typically do. I was born a couple years later in 1976. I grew up knowing the love of my mother and father in a normal household. I was particularly close to my father as a lot of young girls are. They...

“No one should have to spend hours on hours feeling alone and wondering about half of their biological family. I wouldn’t wish this pain and wondering on anyone.”

by Them Before Us | May 31, 2019 | EXPORT, Stories

(Originally Published at Anonymous Us) I am an 18-year-old female and I was conceived using an egg donor. My dad is my biological dad and I admire him beyond words. I’m not at all close with my mom. My parents told me they used an egg donor when I was 10-12 years old....

Maggie’s story | “I’ll never fully heal from having an absent father and being raised by a single mother.”

by Them Before Us | May 27, 2019 | Stories

I grew up as an only child of a single mother, and as a young kid I never really questioned it. My father had been around briefly when I was born up until age 3. I saw him a few times a year after that, and then not at all from ages 5-11.   It seemed so simple to me...

“My parents’ divorce had left me with a deep wound. One that affected my marriage, my motherhood, my friendships and my life as an adult.”

by Them Before Us | May 1, 2019 | EXPORT, Stories

(Originally Published at Born To Do This) “Dad seems sad…Can dads get sad?” I said to myself, bewildered as my four-year-old hand reached desperately for whatever scratch paper and pencil I could find. Like looking for a clean rag to put pressure on a bleeding wound,...

Jeremy’s story | “My brother and I were competition for my dad’s affection from his gay lover.”

by Them Before Us | Apr 30, 2019 | EXPORT, Stories

My mom and dad married in 1967.  Early on, it was clear (according to my mom) that dad was more interested in his music (big piano player) than he was in actually taking care of two little boys.  My twin brother and I would be in our cribs, crying (needing to be...

“I feel like a sick eugenics experiment gone horribly wrong”

by Them Before Us | Apr 18, 2019 | EXPORT, Stories

I am writing this very stream of conscious because I am so confused and have no place I feel is a safe outlet. My mom is very abusive. She would scream at me until I sobbed then scream at me to stop crying. She’d accuse me of “giving her attitude” and then demand I...