Having taken the leap to invite Newkirk to his Florida home, Snyder’s meeting with his birth mother was scheduled for February 2019. Cameras were ready at the airport to capture this once-in-a-lifetime moment. As passengers began disembarking, Snyder exhibited a mix of anxiety and excitement, comparing the experience to a first date.
“It’s almost like a first date,” he shared with Fox 29. “You get the butterflies, you get the trepidation, you don’t really know what’s going to happen or how things are going to work.”
However, as Jeff caught sight of his mother walking into the airport, his anxiety seemed to vanish. He approached her with a warm greeting, saying, “Hi pretty lady!” Their emotional reunion unfolded with a tight embrace, and Snyder welcomed her with, “Welcome to Florida… Welcome to my life!” Overcome with joy, Newkirk hugged her son again, attempting to hold back tears. She expressed her excitement at being able to embrace her son again after 51 years of separation.
“I held him for six hours, 51 years ago,” Newkirk revealed, holding back tears. “And this is the first time I get to do it again.”
In 1967, Newkirk gave birth to Snyder before making the difficult decision to give him up for adoption.
Reflecting on the reunion, Snyder admitted to feeling “a bit overwhelmed, maybe.” He had encouraging words for those hesitant about using DNA technology to reconnect with their past.
“I’m a success story, I’m one of the happiest success stories. I’m lucky,” he said. “I encourage people to keep trying and do whatever they can. Find them, you’re going to be happy.”
