Rankin Inlet (Feb 08/06) - The hearts of Sarah and Francis Ayaruak of Rankin Inlet are feeling a little warmer these days.

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.

Francis and Sarah Ayaruak of Rankin Inlet display a photo album full of pictures of their daughter, Sara Thomson. The couple recently contacted Sara after being pressured into giving her up for adoption 20 years ago. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

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.

"I told him we have Donovan and Catherine and we should just leave her alone."

Every year, however, when their biological 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.

"I met with Ellen McDonald and, after our meeting, she sent out a letter to Yellowknife and Iqaluit. 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 decided to e-mail Sara's parents in October. When December arrived and she still hadn't received a response, she was worried she had made a big mistake.

Then, one day, Francis came home carrying a parcel from the post office.

"We couldn't believe it when we opened the package and saw what was inside. Sara's mom had put a photo album together for us with pictures of Sara in every stage of her life from 1985 right up until 2005.

"I e-mailed her to say she made our Christmas with such a wonderful gift.

"Our family and friends have looked at the photos and everyone says it's easy to tell what family she comes from."

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.

"Her parents are planning to meet Donovan when he goes to Yellowknife for senior mens volleyball in a couple of weeks." Sara's dad gave me his phone number for Donovan to call when he's there, so that's a start.

"Sara's got a black belt in karate and she was into soccer and hockey, so she's as athletic as Donovan and Catherine are."

Francis said he can't wait for the day when he meets Sara in person.

He said it's hard to describe his feelings, but every person they contacted shared their happiness in finding Sara.

"We are very fortunate to have found her because thousands of families are still searching for loved ones," said Francis.

"We owe a very big thank you to Ellen McDonald and Suzanne Flokstra, both from Social Services, for working so hard on a very serious issue."