Rankin Inlet (Feb 27/06) - It's been 20 years, but Sarah and Francis Ayaruak of Rankin Inlet have healed a hole in their hearts.

The couple went through a dark period in their lives 20 years ago when family pressure led to giving their first child up for adoption.

Sarah, co-principal at Leo Ussak elementary school, said giving up their baby girl was one of the most difficult times in their lives.

She said the two struggled with the decision for many years afterwards.

"The baby was taken away by Social Services because our family did not want a baby around and they didn't want Francis and I to be together," said Sarah.

"Francis always wanted to search for her when he and I started living together.

"I wasn't sure that was a good idea because the last thing in the world I wanted to do was hurt her emotionally."

Every year, however, when their daughter's birthday would roll around, Sarah would wonder what she was doing to celebrate and how she was getting along in her life.

As the years went past, the empty space inside Sarah continued to grow.

Finally, she couldn't keep it bottled up inside any more and decided it was time to get some information on their girl.

She met with a social worker to begin the process in July 2005.

"She warned me not to get my hopes up and expect anything to happen too soon.

"I told her we'd just wait and see what happens."

Six days after her meeting, Sarah got a phone call informing her they'd found the child she was searching for.

Her biological daughter, Sara Thomson, grew up in Yellowknife and is in her third year of language studies at a German university.

"It took me 20 years to decide to look for her, but it's scary because there are so many people involved.

"It's not just about what you want."

After receiving the call, Sarah and Francis were advised to write a letter and send a family picture to Sara.

About six weeks later, they received a reply.

"She told us in the letter she knew she was Inuk and her parents are very, very good to her.

"She said her parents always wanted her to know where she comes from, so that made things easier for us.

"It's good her parents support her, especially where we all have contact through the Internet so easily now."

Sarah shed a few tears of happiness before breaking into laughter when she first found out the Thomsons had named their baby girl Sara 20 years ago.

She had been named Delana at birth, and the Thomsons didn't know her mother's name when they adopted her.

Now Sara has told them she'd like to get together later this year or the next.

"Our daughter, Catherine, 15, and son, Donovan, 17, have always known they have a sister because we talked to them about everything when they were old enough.

"When the time comes to finally meet her, we're hoping to meet with her alone, first, before she meets the extended family."