Eric Yutzy talks to his birth mother for the first time, thanks to Facebook

Local 10 News anchor learned she had been watching his career from afar

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – In late February in the middle of our 9 a.m. newscast, I got my own shocking breaking news alert on Facebook.

I received a friend request from Lisa. Reconnecting with my birth mother was just a click away. I immediately accepted and asked my co-anchor Jacey Birch to record the moment when I sent her my first message.

"Hi. Wow, I just saw this today. I've known your name since I was a child. I'm so happy you reached out. I'm having a hard time believing it's real," I wrote.

Within minutes, Lisa wrote back. She told me that she always knew my name and where I had grown up. She lives in rural Illinois, but she has been watching my career online for more than a decade.

Local 10 News anchor Eric Yutzy spoke to his birth mother for the first time on Facebook.

She streamed newscasts online and followed me through social media. She watched as I announced the birth of my children and moved to South Florida.

I sent her photos of my childhood, introducing a boy she didn't get to watch grow up.

She sent photos of herself and other family members I never knew I had, like two half-sisters.

Decades of a life were crammed into one thread with a common refrain: "I am so happy."

Eric Yutzy and his birth mother Lisa shared photos over Facebook.

After a day of texts, it was time to talk.

"How are you?" Lisa asked.

"I'm great. How are you?" I replied.

"I am good," she said.

"Yeah, how you feeling?" I asked.

"Nervous, but excited. How are you?" Lisa asked.

"I feel nervous and excited," I said.

"Cool," Lisa said.

"We must be related," I said.

The nerves fell quickly away and we talked and laughed for a long time. Minute by minute, we began feeling more and more familiar and familial.

"Whatever you wanted to be, you needed that, and I couldn't do it," Lisa said. "You needed to be able to grow to your full potential and become an amazing human being. You needed that."


About the Author
Eric Yutzy headshot

Eric Yutzy joined Local 10 News as a news anchor and reporter. He co-anchors Local 10 News on weekday mornings.

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