Mom, son reunite via Facebook

VANCOUVER, B.C. – When Lori Haas joined Facebook, she didn’t know much about the popular social networking site except that most of her friends were on it. Little did she know how life-changing the online tool would be.

After spending a year searching for the son she gave up for adoption 20 years ago in phone books, adoption registries and on the Internet to no avail, a friend suggested searching for him on Facebook.

“When my friend told me about the search tool and I typed in my son’s name, Travis Sheppard, I couldn’t believe it when I saw a photo of him,” she said.

She eventually sent him a message saying she was looking for a relative and provided a birth date and name. He confirmed the details were his and sent her a message saying he thought she was his birth mother. The two decided to meet the following day.

“It was exciting and scary all at the same time,” said Sheppard.

The connection between the two was instantaneous, and they discovered they share similar characteristics and likes and dislikes.

Since that meeting two weeks ago, the two have spent almost every day together touring Vancouver’s landmarks, as well as meeting Sheppard’s birth father, his family and Haas’ extended family.

“Everything’s fallen into place so perfectly and, well, so easily because of Facebook,” said Haas.