Sue shares the extraordinary and deeply human story of becoming a mother at just 17, and the impossible, selfless choice she was forced to make — to give her baby up for adoption. From the isolation of a maternity home in the 1980s to the moment she held her son again 18 years later, Sue reflects on the heartbreak of loving from afar, and the profound healing that reunion brought.

Her path to motherhood took many winding turns. After reconnecting with her firstborn, she experienced a miscarriage — a loss she didn’t have the opportunity to process until many years later, something so many women quietly carry. Eventually, Sue welcomed her rainbow baby, and found redemption and fullness in a chapter she had once feared she’d never reach.

In this conversation, Sue opens up about grief, forgiveness, adoption, reunion, miscarriage, and the love that asked her to let go… only to find its way back home.

We talk about:
 - Becoming pregnant at 17 and being sent to a maternity home
 - The emotional weight of giving her baby up for adoption
 - Writing letters to her son during pregnancy
 - Reuniting with him 18 years later
 - Meeting his adoptive mother and finding unexpected connection
 - Experiencing miscarriage years later and grieving it in hindsight
 - Welcoming her rainbow baby Nick
 - How her story shapes the way she now supports families through loss

Sue’s story is a powerful reminder that motherhood is not defined by proximity, timing, or circumstance — but by love, in every form it takes.

🕊 This one is for the mothers who’ve had to love from afar, and for the love that always finds its way home.

Get to Know Sue:
Sue lives in Burlington, Ontario with her husband Joe and their two spoiled cats. She is the proud mother of two young adults, Nick and Hailey, who are both emerging artists in the film and musical theatre industries. Sue is a doula specializing in surrogacy births and pregnancy & infant loss, a certified Grief & Loss Coach, and a long-time facilitator of grief support groups. When she’s not supporting families or working as an Executive Assistant, she can be found long-distance cycling with Joe.

 📧 Email: sue@jsbalaz.com

Connect with Kristin:
📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca
🌈 The Haven – Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven
🌿 Mother Like No Other – Loss Mom Community: www.thedoulalife.ca/mother
📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life and @therainbowconnectionpodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review — your support helps this show reach more families who need it.