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- [00:00]
Diana
Foreign.
- [00:08]
Kate
Welcome back to Kate and Ty. Break it down. And today we have a very special guest.
- [00:13]
Diana
I'm excited to be here.
- [00:15]
Ty
We're so happy to talk to you because you. We actually saw you on. On Tick Tock, and it was kind of that. I'm assuming, you know the video that we're talking about, which was you talking to your adoptive mom, talking about the name change.
- [00:28]
Diana
Yeah.
- [00:28]
Ty
So first off, tell everyone who you are and kind of like a little bit of. A little bit of update about, you know, how all this came to be.
- [00:36]
Kate
Yeah. Your story, whatever you're comfortable with sharing.
- [00:40]
Diana
I'm Diana and I'm from Chicago. I was born in Wisconsin to a lady who. I don't know. There was, like, a lot of stories throughout my life about how she, like, really loved us, and she was, like, putting us up for adoption to, like, protect us from, like, the mob and, like, all of these, like, crazy stories and, like, her friends, like, really believe these stories, like, to their heart to where when I'm like, no, she sold us, they're like, don't say that. I'm like, but that's what happened. Like, that's. That's it. No, she loved you. She was protecting you. I'm like, no, that doesn't make sense. Like, with all of the information that I now have at 38 years old, like, no.
- [01:27]
Ty
So wait, you say us as in, like, plural? So there's more than one? How many siblings do you have?
- [01:32]
Diana
There is. I have three brothers. My oldest brother, Ryan, he. He was born in 1983, and she kept. My mother. Kept him for a couple years, but she had a lot of, like, issues. She had a friend who I recently tracked down and just, like, spent the past two weeks, like, asking this woman questions, like, basically digging into a past of her life that she probably didn't really, like, feel like talking about. I wouldn't. But my mother had a friend that would be with her during the pregnancies and, like, help her out with the babies. Because my mother couldn't, like, connect. She, like, wouldn't, like, touch us when we were crying or anything. Like, she was not, like, a loving, nurturing mom at all. So this, like, lady Kathy, she would help her, and she would basically take care of the babies. My mom got pregnant again in 1985 with my brother Michael, and he lives in California. We found each other from ancestry like, a year ago.
- [02:44]
Kate
Oh, wow.
- [02:46]
Diana
And he's. He's pretty cool. I've looked for him pretty much my entire life and had decided he was fake. And then. And then there he was. So I was like, oh, wow.
- [02:56]
Kate
So. So you're so your biological mom. So did she keep all of you guys for, like, a certain period of time and then relinquished you or.
- [03:06]
Diana
So she kept Ryan for the longest, like, almost until he was three.
- [03:11]
Kate
Wow.
- [03:12]
Diana
What I understand is that he tripped over a cord of a coffee pot and then, like, burned his arm. And he was having, like, expense needing, like, expensive surgeries that she couldn't really afford. So she told Kathy that she was going to sell Michael, who she was pregnant with, for, like, $10,000 so that she could keep Ryan and take care of Ryan. But Michael's adoptive mother says that at first, our. Our mom tried to get her to take the toddler, but she was like, no, I want the bun in the oven. Basically, she's like, but I have a friend that'll take the toddler.
- [03:49]
Ty
Whoa, Whoa. Okay. So, gosh, this is, like, okay, because I guess, like, you. You saying the word relinquished almost doesn't sound right in this situation because it sounds like you're talking about actual, like, selling and purchasing, like, babies.
- [04:06]
Diana
Sure. She, like, she had an attorney, and there was, like, a back door, like, south side Adoption Agency. Like, they. If you seemed okay, they were signing the papers.
- [04:20]
Kate
Wow.
- [04:20]
Diana
You know what?
- [04:21]
Kate
So what about, like, your story? Were you an infant? Were you kept with her for a period of time?
- [04:26]
Diana
I was. She kept me for two months.
- [04:28]
Kate
Mo. Wow.
- [04:29]
Diana
That's what she liked to do. She liked to, like, keep us for about two months. There's something, like, about that amount of time. I don't know, really. She never really said. And there was, like, nothing in any of the, like, diaries or journals that I found that would give me a reason for that. The only thing I could think of is, like, so that she could make sure that we get traumatized because we, like, were connected to her and then, like, over.
- [04:57]
Ty
So this was all through an agency, you're saying? It's an agency? Adoption agency that was in Chicago, but I'm assuming it's not running anymore.
- [05:04]
Diana
I don't think it was, like, an actual adoption agency. I think she went through an attorney, and then this attorney had, like, this office of social workers, like, that he worked with. It's called, like, the Hater Foundation. He d A. And they would come and, like, check the house and, like, talk to the adoptive parents and then, like, sign the thing and say it was fine.
- [05:29]
Ty
And so in the attorney paperwork, it, like, says the price, like, or what she was trying to sell the babies.
- [05:35]
Diana
For, or so I have, like, some checks and balances, books and stuff. And I see, like, what, you know, what was going on and how much it was. And then even like, after she placed the babies, like, two months after the babies were out of her care, she was getting like a lump sum. And I'm like, what are. What are these for?
- [05:56]
Kate
Right.
- [05:57]
Diana
Like, why are you getting 10 grand more like two months after that.
- [06:02]
Kate
And see, and that's scary in itself because, you know, if you. You don't know who these adoptive parents really are, like, they could be child abusers, molesters, sex traffickers. Like, you're just going to see. Like, that's mind blowing.
- [06:18]
Ty
Yeah. I think you're. I think your story is unique because, you know, a lot of the times in the adoption world, we see, you know, obviously the beautiful picture that people like to paint of it, that, like, you know, a selfless, quote, unquote, selfless birth mom, you know, relinquishing her baby to these, you know, hope, you know, people. And it's like, people don't like to, like, you know, categorize like, finances, money with babies. And that's really what yours is. Like, that's. That's what it is.
- [06:45]
Diana
Yeah. And a lot of the adoptions in the 80s are. Were like that. Like, if you had money, you could get a baby pretty, pretty easily. And my birth mom had a thing for Jewish women because she knows that, like, Jewish people take care of their kids. They're big on community and family and that they have money and that's, you know, she only gave her kids to Jewish people.
- [07:12]
Ty
Wow. So. So all of your, you and your. All your siblings are raised Jewish.
- [07:17]
Diana
Yeah.
- [07:18]
Ty
Wow.
- [07:19]
Diana
Ryan, though, unfortunately passed away when he was 17 from a heroin overdose.
- [07:24]
Ty
Oh, I'm sorry.
- [07:26]
Diana
And I didn't get to find him.
- [07:28]
Kate
Yeah.
- [07:29]
Diana
So it was. And I, like, found. I was like, 15 and, like, he had just died when I tracked them down.
- [07:37]
Kate
Oh, that's so sad.
- [07:38]
Diana
I'm, like, hung up on me.
- [07:40]
Ty
Yes. Yeah. I honestly feel like people don't get to hear that a lot either that I have gotten flooded with messages of adoptee saying I finally turned 18, or even I finally got the courage to search. And I searched and it's too late. And I feel like that kind of like regardless if the reunion is a happy thing or a bad thing, the adoptee deserves to have that. That closure or that kind of just that that reunion is. Is vital to the adoptee. So I always feel like people don't get that, oh, well, wait till they're 18. Well, sometimes that's not really.
- [08:10]
Kate
Life is life and life is crazy, and some people pass sooner than later.
- [08:14]
Ty
You know, and that's unfortunate, but I feel like it goes to show the importance of, like, allowing the. The. The access, you know, it's important, right?
- [08:23]
Diana
Well, once, like, I found my birth mother when I was, like, 14, going through my parents, school stuff. There was, like, no. There was no, like, boundaries of access at that point. Like, she could contact me when she wanted, and I would contact her when I wanted. Mainly more. It was me wanting, like, I guess if I, like, think about it after reading her diaries and stuff, like, it was. It was me that was, like, wanting the relationship, wanting the connection. I would just, like, come there whenever, because she was, like, only an hour away. So, like, I would get my parents and I would have, like, my boyfriend or whoever drive me to her house.
- [09:04]
Kate
Yeah, so did you. So when you were growing up, you know, young child, did you always know that you were adopted?
- [09:11]
Diana
Yeah, my parents told me when they were. They were pregnant with my younger brother, so I was like, three, you know.
- [09:20]
Kate
Okay.
- [09:20]
Diana
And they. I was, like, talking about being in my mom's belly, and she was like, well, no, you were in, like, another lady's belly.
- [09:29]
Kate
And so. And so my other question would be, so was your birth mom involved your whole entire life or just when you were wanting it, wanting her to be around?
- [09:39]
Diana
No, she was not. She was not involved, but, like, she was close. She told me that, like, she always checked in on us and that, like, she always knew where we were and she could see us whenever she wanted. She would, like, come by our schools or whatever. And I don't know if that's true or not, but once, you know, once I was, like, 14 and I found her then that was, like, that was it.
- [10:06]
Ty
And you found her all on your own? Like, did your parents help you at all, or did that. Do you just kind of do it by yourself?
- [10:12]
Diana
No, they have, like. They had, like, a white binder full of information about, like, are my biological parents and, like, who my brother's dad could be, who my dad could be. Because we all have different dads. So there's just, like, random notes and stuff. And there was a name, and it said, like, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. So I was like, all right, like, what's. You know, what's the worst that can happen? It's not listed. And, like, we had first just gotten a computer, and so, like, I was using whitepages.com and I looked her up, and then I had, like, my Own line in my bedroom. It was like, you know, it was the cool.
- [10:51]
Ty
Oh, yeah, you're the cool kid. Your own phone line in your room.
- [10:55]
Diana
I had my own line in my room and like one of those, like, see through phone.
- [11:00]
Kate
Yes.
- [11:02]
Diana
And, you know, I called her and like, it was like hearing my own voice like on the other side of the phone. Like, I sound like her. She's got like a lot smaller, sweeter of a sound. But like, when she picked up the phone and I was just like a little girl, I was like, hello.
- [11:20]
Kate
Right.
- [11:20]
Diana
You know, like, so what's your problem? Like, what's wrong with me? Why, why didn't you want me?
- [11:26]
Ty
And did she tell you? Like, did she. Was she upfront with you right away?
- [11:29]
Diana
No, she was like, there's nothing wrong with you, honey, blah, blah, blah. I always loved you. It was my blood on the table. I was trying to protect you. Your father couldn't read. Well, I text with my father all the time and he read.
- [11:43]
Ty
Wow. So she actually told you stuff about your biological dad that wasn't true?
- [11:48]
Diana
Oh, so many things about him that like, aren't. Aren't true, aren't accurate. Like, in her opinion, like, you know, she talked about my grandma and that was like a big part of it. She didn't want my grandma raising me. She wanted, like to be a family. But no, she didn't. Kathy said that she moved back, like, took off once she knew that the pregnancy was like solid and like, she knew that I was a girl before she left Florida and went back to Wisconsin and started plotting.
- [12:20]
Kate
So any of my listeners out there, do you have anybody in your household? Maybe it's even you that is just literally obsessed with cereal. Nova and Tyler, they could eat cereal every day, all day. And I was just thinking to myself, like, isn't there a better alternative? Something that's more fueling and wholesome? And that's when I found Magic Spoon. Magic Spoon makes high protein, zero sugar cereals and treats reinvented from your childhood. Oh, the nostalgia. Every serving of Magic Spoon high protein cereal has 13 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of net carbs. They come in nostalgic flavors like fruity cocoa and frosted. Mmm. Frosted is definitely one of my favorites. And Nova loves the cocoa because she's been obsessed with chocolate cereal. Magic Spoon's high protein treats are crispy, crunchy, airy, and an easy way to get 12 grams of protein on the go. They come in mouth watering flavors like marshmallow, chocolate, peanut butter and Dark chocolate. Both are great on the go pre or post workout or even as a midnight snack. Get $5 off your next order@magic spoon.com. break it down. Or look for Magic Spoon on Amazon or at your nearest grocery store. That's magicspoon.com break it down for $5 off.
- [13:34]
Ty
So how did you meet your. Your biological dad? How did that happen?
- [13:38]
Diana
She gave. Like, she gave my. My parents the information, like, the names and stuff. Like, it was always there. But I don't think that she thought I would find them, like, in one of the journals. She's like, there are, like, 300 Infantes in Tampa, Florida, and I'm not. I've only called three or something. Like, she was just like. I'm like, okay, well, this is child's play, because I've figured it out myself.
- [14:07]
Kate
And do you still have a relationship, like, today with your biological father?
- [14:11]
Diana
I do. I do. I just saw him in December. We went to Florida, and so we saw him, and he was able to meet my sons because he's only met my oldest, so that was kind of fun.
- [14:23]
Ty
Oh, wow. So. So how many kids do you have?
- [14:25]
Diana
I have three.
- [14:26]
Ty
Okay, and what are the ages of the kids?
- [14:30]
Diana
17, nine and four.
- [14:33]
Ty
Okay, you're. Yeah, you gotta spread out there. You're in the mix.
- [14:37]
Diana
Yeah. I was pregnant with Star when, like, the first season came out for you guys, and I just was like. I just remember watching, and I was like, I wonder how this is gonna be. Like, I wonder, like, I wonder what's gonna happen. Like, is she. How she gonna grow up? Like, are they gonna stay in contact with her? Like, I just. I always, you know, wondered about it. You know, you, like, forget like, the random people that were, like, on the shows that, like, don't really stick out. And, like, for me, I like Janelle because her relationship with her mom, like, reminds me of me and my mom. And I was always like, barbara, fuck off. Like, and then you guys, because I'm adopted, and I was just like, you know, I think that's, like, great that they were able to be like, okay, like, maybe now is not the time. And then you guys are, like, still together and all of that. So I feel like that's, like, also, like, really great.
- [15:35]
Ty
Yeah, I mean, I feel like a lot of, you know, even adoptees or birth parents or adoptive parents, we always get the same kind of message that, like, you know, remember some of the episodes, some of the iconic moments, but the story of the adoption was really kind of something that sticks with people. We realize and they also. I mean, we've also realized that, you know, ever since our show premiered, we haven't really seen another real adoption story play out the way this one has.
- [16:02]
Diana
No one.
- [16:03]
Ty
Yeah. So I think it's kind of. We're in a unique position, which is why we wanted to even, you know, do this podcast. Our whole point is just to get the stories of adoptees, because we know there's so many, like, nuances with it, and I think it'll serve people better if we understand that you can't put all adoptees into one box, and you can't. You know, some of them have really good reunion stories. Some of them have really bad ones. Some of them wish they never met their bio, family, and someone which they never were adopted in the first place. So I think in order to kind of bridge the gap, I feel like we need to, like, like, you know, share these stories. I thought, you know, hearing a little bit of your story online that you shared was just one thing that kind of hit both of us, and we were like, you know, this is important. It needs to be talked about.
- [16:45]
Kate
And I feel like when I. When I came across your video on Tick Tock about, you know, you having that conversation with your adoptive mom about, like, she asked you not to change my name. Why did you change my name? And when I saw. First saw that video, that was, like, me in the beginning of kind of coming out of my own fog of being a birth mom, you know, and it was just like, whoa. It was just intense to watch. And you were. You were one of the first adoptees that I saw on Tik Tok. And I wanted to ask you a question, though, since your birth mom was, like, keeping these babies for a little bit and that and then selling these babies and stuff. The birth fathers. Did your birth father even know that you were being placed for adoption? Did.
- [17:28]
Diana
So the rest of the men are, like, scumbags. Like, low life. Like, probably didn't care. Probably didn't even know she was pregnant. Like, one of them was married for sure. But, like, my dad wanted me, and he was wanting to, like, be a family. Like, he didn't really like her all that much, but, like, it was what it was, and she was pregnant, so he was going to try to do the right thing. Yeah, yeah. Says, you know, and. And he. Then she just, like, took off. He said she took off. And they tried to find her. My grandpa tried to find her, and every time they got close, she was, like, two person, like, 10 steps ahead of them, you know, she just. They couldn't. They couldn't find her. And then in my adoption paperwork, she said she didn't know who the father was. That's not true, like, at all. So then when I did contact my birth father, they first, they asked for a DNA test, obviously, to confirm, and we did. And then, like, after that, we've had a pretty solid relationship. Like, I have cousin. A cousin. I have two cousins, but one that, like, I talk to more, and the other is, like, 10 years younger than me, so I don't really.
- [18:44]
Kate
Well, and how sad for him, too.
- [18:47]
Ty
Yeah.
- [18:47]
Kate
You know, not. I mean, even. Even you. But also for him to, like, you know, know that this baby is out there and want to parent this baby. And I feel like birth mom, like, adoption. Adoption agencies will tell the parents, like, if you don't want the dad to come fighting, or you just say you don't know who the father is. You know what I mean? Like, I've. I've seen that a lot, and I know that's one of the ways that they can kind of go around things, but it's like, that's horrible for him because then he's going through life knowing you're out there somewhere.
- [19:16]
Diana
He met a woman who he's still with now. And she told me that when she met him, it was about, like, 10 years after, you know, after he had split up or after she had taken off, maybe a little bit less. Maybe like eight years, something like that. But she said that he was, like, really, like, sad about it still, and told her, like, I have a kid maybe somewhere, someday that, you know, might find me.
- [19:46]
Kate
That's so sad.
- [19:47]
Ty
Wow.
- [19:48]
Diana
They wanted me. So, like, once I contacted them, my grandma was like, about it. She was like, come visit.
- [19:55]
Ty
Oh, so was. What. Who was. Who was the first biological relative that you met in person? Oh, okay.
- [20:03]
Kate
Yeah. So her birth mom. Yeah.
- [20:04]
Ty
So, like.
- [20:05]
Diana
Well, no brother, because we were adopted into the same family, so we were raised together.
- [20:10]
Ty
Oh, you were? Okay.
- [20:11]
Diana
Yeah.
- [20:12]
Ty
I didn't know that. So let's. Okay, so establish the family dynamics here. Okay, so you have a. You have. Your parents have a biological child, like you said, Right.
- [20:22]
Diana
Your brother, they got one more of Nikki's babies.
- [20:25]
Ty
Okay. Okay. So you. So that's actually rare because not a lot of adoptees get to be raised with their biological siblings. So was that two separate times? Like, this was two. Like, she went back and said, hey, I want another baby, or she got.
- [20:41]
Diana
Pregnant, like, immediately, I feel like, because me and my brother are 13 months apart.
- [20:46]
Ty
Oh, wow.
- [20:47]
Diana
He got rid of me and got. She must have, like, moved in with Scott and, like, got pregnant with Eddie right then. And then quickly it was over, and she had to get a restraining order on him because he told her he didn't want any more kids and he wasn't interested in kids. And, like, you know, and then she got one anyway, so he, like, left.
- [21:08]
Kate
Wow.
- [21:08]
Ty
Okay. And so then obviously, she contacted your parents and was like, hey, I have another baby.
- [21:13]
Diana
The attorney, okay, was like, the fa. Because my mom basically was like, if you get pregnant again, let us know, you know? So she's not alone.
- [21:22]
Ty
Yeah. So. Okay, so. So you're. You're your. Your mom, is it? So she's able to have biological children?
- [21:29]
Diana
She wasn't until she, like, adopted the baby. So, like, babies make your body make hormones.
- [21:38]
Ty
Yeah, I've heard that. Yes.
- [21:39]
Diana
So, like, sometimes you can. If you couldn't get pregnant, then you have a baby around you, then you can all of a sudden.
- [21:48]
Ty
So she did not know she could have children until after adopting?
- [21:52]
Diana
Well, yeah, no, she tried. And, like, they had ivf and, like, I have their whole IVF thing in my binder because she was, like, trying to, like, show me. Like, we tried and we couldn't, and so we decided to do this.
- [22:06]
Kate
Wow.
- [22:07]
Ty
Yeah. That's really intense because I feel like that's also like. I feel like, you know, a lot of people don't understand how that is. I've heard another adoptee tell me that, you know, she had the same situation happened to her where her parents ended up, you know, miraculously be able to have a biological child after adopting her. And she said the moment that baby came home, she felt. I mean, she's like, I just. I could tell. I could tell there was just a difference. Yeah. She's like, I could just a shift in the dynamic. And I think people just imagine that it doesn't affect an adoptee as much as it. As they think it would having another biological child that, you know, is. You know, that's. That's their baby, and, you know, you're biologically not. And that's a whole different thing to be, you know, raised around.
- [22:48]
Diana
Yeah, yeah, for sure. My brother is, like, the good one. The. Their biological child is the good one. And me and Eddie are trouble.
- [22:58]
Kate
And how. How is your. How was your relationship with your adoptive parents growing up and, like, how is it now.
- [23:06]
Diana
Growing up? It was very strained. I told, like, therapists that, like, I wasn't able to connect with them, that we don't have anything in common. You know, I'm like, having trouble, like, meeting their expectations, stuff like that. Now it's like, it's okay for the most part, but, like, we have our stuff. We live in a multi general generational household for like half the year, and then they snowboard to Arizona and I, like, can breathe. But while they're here, like, my mom is pretty overbearing and tries to, like, be controlling. And you've heard like in that one clip, like, that's generally how she's talking.
- [23:49]
Kate
And so to go back to that tick tock video that people witnessed online, so you were going through paperworks and you did. You saw something to where your biological mom wanted you to keep your. Your first name or your full or your whole name.
- [24:03]
Diana
You wanted me to keep my first name.
- [24:05]
Kate
Okay. And so obviously it seemed like in that video that you were very upset that your adoptive parents didn't listen to her on that. Can you kind of express why?
- [24:19]
Diana
Well, I just felt if. If they agreed not to change it, why would they change it? And I had already. I was two months old, so I already knew my name. Like, I already. I had a name. And she asked you not to change it and you said you wouldn't, and then you did, and that's rude. And like, also my birth mother called me Jesse. Like, the whole time I knew her. Like, she did not call me Diana ever. So, like, when she would call me, she'd be like, hi, Jesse. Or like, when she would see me in person, like, she would call me Jesse.
- [24:55]
Ty
And what did that feel like for you? Because that had been kind of weird.
- [24:58]
Diana
I feel like that was probably maybe, like, I don't know, confusing at the time. Probably made me feel like I had, like, two people.
- [25:08]
Ty
Why? It goes back to, like, you feel like you have to, like you said earlier about expectations that your mom had kind of like, you know, living up to their expectations and then, then you meet your birth mom and she's calling you by a totally different name. Like, that's another kind of like, expectation to kind of like, be okay with. I feel like that's pretty common across what I've witnessed with a lot of other adoptees.
- [25:30]
Kate
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- [26:48]
Diana
Yeah, I mean, you know, it just like it's weird because this like one person says all of these things and that it's like one way and then these other people who are also your parents are like telling you all of these other things and that it's a different way. And it's hard to kind of figure out like where, where you fit in or like find your truth. And I guess like that's kind of what I've been doing since my mom died. I have been trying to get her stuff from her friend who like hoarded it for like seven years and finally gave it to me after telling me like it didn't exist, but it does. And so now I'm like able to really like sort through all of her stuff, all of her pictures and like build myself a story and a timeline that really does make sense, that fills in the blanks. Like, I know everything about her. You know, some things I wish I didn't know. Just like at this point, like, I'm not sure if all of this information was helpful, but a lot of it was.
- [27:53]
Kate
Yeah. And I was gonna say, like, if anything, adoptees deserve that. They deserve to have answers to the questions that they have. Like they deserve to know certain things and for it to not just be one big secret.
- [28:05]
Ty
I also feel like they deserve the dignity to, to, to find out for themselves and make that decision. Like, I know some of the st you said you wish you never would have known but you do know. And so it's like, I mean, to be in the dark about certain stuff isn't. You know, it just creates this feeling of just, like, unsettling, you know, where do I fit in? What am I? And it's like, you know, a lot of us have dark parts of our story that we probably wish, you know, wasn't there. But at the end, the end of the day, we. At least we had the dignity to know. And we. We deserve that. We deserve to know those things and have that be part of kind of our. Our character. But I feel like the video that we watched when you were talking, like, it was. It was emotional because I could sense that you were trying so hard to just be neutral and try to talk and say how you felt, and it felt so dismissive. She did feel, you know, And I. I don't mean to be, like, harsh.
- [29:00]
Diana
But I'm being dismissive and dissing. That's what her, like, word is, dissing. I'm dissing, like, her. Her name. Name that she picked for me that was, like, someone from her family.
- [29:14]
Kate
Well, and it's like, no, you were just asking the question. Like, she asked you, why did you change my name when you told her you made a promise to her that you wouldn't, but then you adopt me, and then you go behind her back and you change my name anyways.
- [29:24]
Diana
Like, well, I feel like you have.
- [29:25]
Ty
A right to also to. To know that, like, I have a right to make a choice on what my identity or at least discover what my identity is. And for you to just take the very first thing away from me before I even consented to it. You know, I mean, that's. That's not fair.
- [29:40]
Diana
Yeah, I. I definitely was not, like, happy at that time with, like, the information that I had in front of me. And that was even before, like, I got all of her stuff that was just, like, some notes that I've had this whole time that I just, like, looked over. Must not have, like, read or something, you know, because every now and then, I'll get super interested and, like, try and dig in and try and find my missing link brother who, thanks to ancestry, you know, now I have. And, like, he didn't know about me, but I knew about him. So I've known about him my whole. My whole life since I was, like, 14 years old. So, like, when I. When he found us and, like, I was talking to him and I asked, like, his birthday and stuff, and he told me, I was like, no, it's not. I Was like, yeah, right. Like, you're really him. I was like, oh, my God. I've been looking for you my whole life. And, like. Like, my best friend, like, I. We are like two peas in a pod. He's very crazy, but I love him.
- [30:45]
Kate
But what was that like, for the first time, like, meeting him? This brother that you knew you had out there your whole entire life?
- [30:51]
Diana
It was. I don't know, it was, like, interesting. It was like. We were like. We met at. We went out to dinner, and I brought my friend to California with me, my best friend since I was five, because I was like, I can't do this by myself. I need you to come with me. She's like, okay. So, like, I. We met at a restaurant, and, like, it was. We were just, like, kind of sitting next to each other and just, like, looking at each other. Like, kind of like seeing, like, I guess looking for, like, the mirroring, the genetic mirroring, which there. There is also. He's very short, and I like to, like, pick on him a lot about it. I feel like, as the little sister, I should have been roasting Lord Fore quad my whole life. Yeah.
- [31:33]
Ty
So now you're making up for pastime. Yeah. Yeah.
- [31:38]
Kate
So you mentioned that. You see, your. Your biological mother ended up passing away.
- [31:43]
Diana
He did.
- [31:43]
Kate
Okay. How long ago was that?
- [31:46]
Diana
She passed away in 2017, in June.
- [31:49]
Kate
Okay.
- [31:50]
Diana
The coroner says it's a hardest. It was a heart attack. If you let her crazy friends tell you, the mob finally tracked her down and made it look like a heart attack.
- [32:01]
Ty
So. Yeah. Will you explain?
- [32:03]
Kate
I'm like, what the tigers? Was this just some, like, fake story or is all this crap real?
- [32:11]
Diana
Oh, okay. So, like, my mom was. She was born the youngest of 10 children to a mother who was, like. She was working in hotels, and she was, like, sleeping with a married man. And, like, all of her kids were, like, living with different sisters that she had because her husband and some of her kids passed away in a car accident, like, freak accident, like some trailer accident. You know, something like that. Probably, like, in the late 40s, because my mom was born in 1951, and she. They had her, like, staying in boarding houses for the two first two years of her life, and then her uncle adopted her and took her to Florida, and she kind of, like, grew up there. She had a friend that she made that had, like, a brother, and she was very close with this family, this woman Renee, and, like, her brother Alan, and, like, my birth mother made up a lot of things. So, like, as I was, like, going and learning, like, I have to figure out, like, what's. What's true and what's not. Sometime while she was in Tampa, she was, like, hanging out with, like, mobsters. And, like, there's this man named Harlan Blackburn, and you can, like, read books about him. He ran this thing in Tampa called the Boleta Lottery. And it was, like, racket, like. Like a gambling racket or something. Not legal, obviously. They're, like, gambling. And then she was, like, hanging out with mobsters from, like, the Tampa Mafia and, like, from the Miami Mafia. And she had, like, all of these connections, and her and my brother's dad got busted for something and basically agreed to snitch. And they put her. Bill went to jail, but they put her in witness protection, and, like, we're trying to have her testify. And then she, like, ran away from witness protection, and she, like, contacted the people that she was supposed to be being protected against. She ended up, like, not showing up for, like, the court date. There's all these, like, newspaper articles. Like, she was. They could not find her. And then she, like, never. She didn't have her original documents because she was in witness protection and she was erased. So she, like, she had this identity, this new identity, and she, like, picked a last name from one of her husbands, and she just, like, went with it, and she became Nicky Martin. And, you know, they never. They. They didn't track her down in Little Wisconsin, you know, What a crazy story.
- [35:01]
Kate
So she ended up being in an adopt. Like, adopted herself at a young age.
- [35:05]
Diana
Yes.
- [35:06]
Kate
Wow.
- [35:06]
Diana
But, like, by her. By her maternal uncle.
- [35:09]
Kate
Right.
- [35:09]
Diana
Someone, like, from her family.
- [35:11]
Kate
Right.
- [35:12]
Diana
Still.
- [35:12]
Kate
Right.
- [35:13]
Diana
You know, not, like random people.
- [35:14]
Kate
True.
- [35:15]
Ty
How was. How was your relationship with your. With your dad?
- [35:19]
Diana
My. Adopted.
- [35:20]
Ty
Yeah.
- [35:21]
Diana
It's okay.
- [35:22]
Ty
Okay.
- [35:23]
Diana
Just, like, he worked a lot, and he is a quiet person in general. He's like the strong, silent type. Like, my dad worked and exercised and, like, sometimes was home, but, like, really, he was, like, overseas, like, traveling. My dad was. My parents were really, like, busy with their. Their jobs and what.
- [35:44]
Ty
And what do they do? Yeah, because what.
- [35:46]
Diana
We're manufacturers reps, so basically they, like, get products and sell them to companies. But do you remember Crate and Barrel?
- [35:53]
Ty
Yeah.
- [35:54]
Diana
Okay, so my mom was, like, the main distributor and the main buyer for Crate and Barrel. So, like, anything that you saw at Crate and barrel from, like, 1980 until, like, 1999 or, like, the early 2000s, my mom hand selected from different places for them to sell.
- [36:15]
Ty
Oh, so that's how you had a landline in your room.
- [36:20]
Diana
And My dad, like, works. Worked very closely with the creation of Costco and stuff.
- [36:26]
Ty
Oh, wow.
- [36:27]
Diana
They both were very, like. My mom worked at home, but, like, my dad traveled. We did have, like, babysitters and, like, nannies. We had, like, a live in.
- [36:36]
Ty
You know, so you would say. I mean, so being raised, I mean, financially, pretty privileged. Pretty. Pretty well off. Not in a bad situation.
- [36:43]
Diana
No. But, you know, I always say that just because the cage is gold, it doesn't make it less of a cage.
- [36:50]
Kate
I agree.
- [36:51]
Diana
You know, I still get, like, my mom tries to control things that I do and say. Even, like, on Facebook, she'll be like, I don't like that. Take that down. So I'm like, I'm just gonna put you on restricted because I'm gonna post whatever I want.
- [37:05]
Kate
Right. Like, how are you gonna control everything?
- [37:07]
Ty
How does she feel about you kind of sharing your story?
- [37:11]
Diana
She thinks it's fine as long as she doesn't get in any trouble.
- [37:16]
Ty
Okay.
- [37:16]
Diana
There's backlash on me. I'm like, I am 38 years old. What backlash is coming? Like, the attorney is dead. Dead. Like, most of the fathers are dead. One of the children also dead. Like, you know, I'm like, what are. Who's coming? Yeah.
- [37:32]
Kate
I wonder if she means just, like, public. And it's like, well, you shouldn't be ashamed of anything you did then. You're obviously ashamed of ways you did things.
- [37:40]
Diana
If you're worried about the backlash, I've been like, so how legal was this? Legal enough.
- [37:46]
Kate
Legal enough.
- [37:47]
Ty
And that's kind of where I'm like, you know, I feel like the lack of transparency when it comes to adoption to all people involved is just never good for anybody. It's like. Like, it's just never. It serves anybody. And I feel like if, you know, even birth parents. You know, I've heard stories of birth parents not telling their kids they have afterwards that they have. That they place a baby and they have a sibling out. Like, you can't. We can't keep operating in this shame shadow because it ruins. It just. It just affects people.
- [38:17]
Kate
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- [40:01]
Diana
Oh, for sure. I actually asked my mom, like, maybe last week even, because I was like, just after I learned all this stuff and, like, reached out to Kathy and hunted this poor little librarian who wanted nothing to do with the wild, wild west anymore. Like, I hunted her down and talked to her, and then I was, like, talking to my mom. I was like, why did you say, like, this woman, like, cared about me or. Or us, like, really at all? And she's like, I don't. I don't know. She's like, I thought she did. She thought she was helping. She's like, I was trying to make it sound better. And I'm like, you shouldn't have, because it's not better.
- [40:44]
Ty
Well, yeah, because then you get disappointed because then you find out that none of this is. It's not the way that you were raised, thinking it was, you know, and that's devastating. Top of already all the losses that come along with being an adoptee in the first place.
- [40:58]
Diana
Oh, yeah, for sure. And, like, I suspected that she used herself as a baby factory, but, like, to have it completely confirmed, like, and this woman basically walk me through each pregnancy, like, each Adoption. Like, each time she talked with the lawyer, like, how she was like, what she did to your dad made me sick. I'm like, what did she do to him? Please tell me. And this lady told me, like, where my dad's house was. Like, so she knows, like, she's not just, like, making up stuff to talk on the phone to, like, some girl that is the daughter of someone she knew. Like, she knows what she's talking about. And she even said she's like, you would be the third child, right?
- [41:39]
Ty
Oh, wow.
- [41:41]
Diana
Yes, that's me.
- [41:43]
Kate
And so. Wait again, refreshment. So how many did she have that she ended up selling in total?
- [41:48]
Diana
Four. Four.
- [41:49]
Kate
Okay, okay.
- [41:50]
Diana
But she told people that she had, like, an older daughter one time. Like, there's people that believe that, like, some baby died of sids. Some girl. Some little girl. But I don't think that's true. Just in my professional opinion, based off of everything I know, I think it's a lie. And she also said that we have, like, an older brother whose name is Sean, who is significantly older than us. There is a Sean. He is not our brother. He is her friend Renee's son.
- [42:17]
Kate
Oh, okay.
- [42:18]
Diana
Some reason my mother decided that she was the mother and, like, spun this whole story, like, even wrote his birth story down.
- [42:28]
Kate
Oh. I take it that she struggles with some mental health issues.
- [42:33]
Diana
Oh, for sure. Yeah. Some mental health, for sure. Some diagnoses that are accurate, but some, from what I understand, she was, like, amping that up. So she would, like, go. She would take her car and leave it at the mall and then go home and call the police, say she didn't know where her car was, that she just walked in the door and doesn't know where she came from, how she got there. They would take her to the hospital, they would document it. And so, like, so many times of this, then she gets a new diagnosis of, like, multiple personality disorder.
- [43:04]
Ty
Oh, wow.
- [43:06]
Diana
Not remembering. So, like, I don't know if she even had that, but, like, bipolar, for sure. Psychosis, 100%. Like, she wasn't normal. And then after the babies, that's when she got into, like, the large cats, and she started like, yeah, talk about.
- [43:21]
Kate
The large cat things, because I just saw that on your TikTok the other day, and I was like, what the is going on?
- [43:27]
Diana
She, like, I don't know. I guess she, like, got enough money selling her four children that she was able to purchase some exotic cats, and she got some men to go into business with her because she was cute and little and she used it. She did. And she got all these cats, and she was breeding them, and she had, like, a sanctuary, and she was, like, doing, like, shows at schools, like, educational shows at schools with these cats, like, she was doing. If you didn't know all the crap, bad things she did in her life before that, you would think, like, she was doing pretty good.
- [44:05]
Kate
So that's like some Tiger King almost.
- [44:08]
Diana
Yeah. That's why I always, like, make, like, references a little bit. Like. And everybody asks me, they're like, is Carole Baskin your mom? I'm like, no. First of all, don't insult me.
- [44:23]
Ty
Yeah.
- [44:23]
Kate
So your biome, was it, like, tigers and lions and.
- [44:27]
Diana
Yeah.
- [44:27]
Kate
That is crazy.
- [44:29]
Diana
And she had them when I met her. So, like, the first day I met her, I met her tiger, her leopard, serval, like, her monkey, her lemur. What? The goats.
- [44:42]
Ty
You must have been, so. You must have been, like, going through a whirlwind of. Of insanity, because that sound, I could like, even just, like.
- [44:50]
Diana
And I was 14, right?
- [44:53]
Ty
Oh, my God. And so what were your parents? Did they, like, go with you when you met her? Did they?
- [44:58]
Diana
Mom took me. We have a video, like, a VHS video, and she's, like, recording me in the car. She's like, we're going, like, blah, blah, blah. We, like, meet this lady. And, like, I'm watching, and I'm watching, like, her face, and I'm like, well, she's not excited to see me at all. She's like, fuck. Really? Like. Like, she obviously, like, she has anxiety and her own issues. Like, she had her windows tinfoiled. So. And that was then. And she was, like, probably the healthiest that she'd ever been mentally when I first met her.
- [45:34]
Ty
And she saw a tinfoil on the windows.
- [45:36]
Diana
Oh, she did.
- [45:37]
Ty
At her healthiest.
- [45:38]
Diana
Her house was like a hoarder house. Like, you could not walk around in there, really. Like, the bathroom was, like, barely usable.
- [45:47]
Kate
She do drugs?
- [45:49]
Diana
Who?
- [45:49]
Kate
Your biological mom.
- [45:51]
Diana
She did. Well, she tries to say she didn't, but she definitely did. And I found in some notes that she. I thought that she probably did opiates when she was pregnant with me, but I wasn't sure. But then I saw in some notes that she was on, like, Dilaudin and, like, volumes.
- [46:09]
Kate
Oh, wow.
- [46:10]
Diana
Yeah.
- [46:10]
Kate
Wow.
- [46:12]
Diana
Probably the whole time.
- [46:13]
Kate
Well, and that's sad. Just like, you saying, like, that was your first reaction. Meeting her for the first time was like, wow, she doesn't look happy to see me like that. That's sad.
- [46:21]
Diana
Well, I think at the time, like, we Both probably were feeling very anxious, I'm sure now watching the video and, like, seeing everyone's face from, like, this outside entity, you know, I just, like, look at her kind of different. Of course, my mom wanted me to go and, like, meet this lady so that, like, I could feel whole. And that's also why she took me to meet my dad, so that I could, like, maybe it would help me with my. My problems.
- [46:49]
Ty
So do you think your mom was doing. Her intentions were pure when she was taking you to meet them?
- [46:54]
Diana
Well, yeah. I mean, at that point, she was like, okay, well, she dug them up, so I may as well just like, let's just do this. Let's just let her.
- [47:04]
Ty
Was she upset that you dug them up?
- [47:07]
Diana
No.
- [47:07]
Ty
Okay.
- [47:08]
Diana
Does. Doesn't seem that way. I mean, like, once, like, maybe a couple times in life, she's been like, and how do you think it makes me feel? You know? But, like, not. Not really that I don't. That I'm rejecting her. It's just that I'm also, like, trying to get something else. Like, I need more information. I need to know who I am, where I came from, why I'm like this.
- [47:31]
Kate
Of course.
- [47:32]
Ty
Yeah. So does your bio. Does your biological brother, did he feel the same way?
- [47:36]
Diana
So actually, my brothers both don't give. Well, Michael probably. If she was alive, he probably would have, like, wanted. You know, And Eddie did have a relationship with her, but, like, towards the end, it was. She was really sick in the head towards the end. So it wasn't. She had faked her death before. So when she died and her friend called us and told us, I was like, I don't know if I believe this. Like, not to be addicted.
- [48:04]
Ty
Yeah.
- [48:04]
Diana
But, like, I'm like, I need to go talk to my brother. And I, like, went. And I was like. Knocked on his bedroom door at the time, and I was like, this lady says she's dead. And he's like, well, I don't know if that's true. He's like, see if you can get the nut. He's like, get more information. Get more information. He's like, I just talked to her last week. I'm like, okay, so she couldn't be dead right now. Right? And he's like, just get more information. I don't know if I believe that. I'm like, me too. So I called this lady back, and she's like, well, you can call the funeral home, figure out, because they live in, like, a small, small town in Wisconsin. So, like, the corner is the funeral Home.
- [48:38]
Ty
Okay.
- [48:38]
Diana
Stop. Shop.
- [48:40]
Ty
Yeah.
- [48:41]
Diana
So I called there, and they're like, yeah, we have her. They're like, you know, are you. I'm like, well, like, legally, we're not like her anything, right? But that is my. Our mother, you know? And they were like, okay. So, like, they let us claim the, like, next of kin thing. They let us come, but she was, like, a ward of the state, so they did. Everything was paid for by the state. They cremated her. I had them set up, like, a funeral for her friends to come and, like, do, like, a little visitation. But she was, like, four hours away in Wisconsin. So when me and my brother went. I remember them, like, pulling. Bringing her up for. So we could, like, see her. And I was like, that's not even her. And Eddie, my brother, he's like, yeah, it is. I'm like, no, I want to see her tattoos. Move. Move the. Move the sheet, you know? And then like, I was like, okay.
- [49:34]
Ty
Fine, so you were out. You're almost like. You're like, I want to confirm. Like, I need to confirm.
- [49:39]
Diana
Like, I want. I need to see, like, for sure.
- [49:42]
Ty
I have to say, though, I feel like you even doing the whole, you know, taking the responsibility of being next of Ken and just doing the whole funeral thing, I mean, that was something that. That's really generous of you to do, especially considering the. The relationship that you guys had. I mean, that's.
- [49:56]
Diana
That's amazing that she really was a baby dealing.
- [49:59]
Ty
Oh, okay. So this is all before.
- [50:02]
Diana
Yeah, this was all before. So this was, like, when I knew her. Like, I didn't have all this information. I got all of this information after.
- [50:11]
Kate
After she died.
- [50:12]
Diana
Wow.
- [50:13]
Ty
Okay.
- [50:14]
Diana
Told me she was writing journals for me and doing this, like, for my whole life. And when she died, her friend who, like, hoarded this stuff, I was like, okay, well, I'm gonna come with my brother so I can get the stuff. Like, I want my journals. I want the photos. I want the history. I want it all. And this lady's like, it doesn't exist. I don't know what you're talking about.
- [50:33]
Ty
Blah, blah, blah.
- [50:34]
Diana
And then, like, over the years, I've contacted her every now and then and been like, are you sure? Like, I just. Like, I know that, like, she had this stuff for me. Like, a lot of things she said weren't true, but, like, I know that, like, this was true. Like, I know that. That she did have this journal for me, and, like, I want it. So when my brother found me through ancestry, it was actually through a link through My mother's half sister. And she contacted this friend and was like, someone says they're, you know. And then this friend contacted me and was like, well, you have a hit on ancestry DNA. I'm like, how do you know you're not related to us? And she's like, well, I've had this information. I actually do have it and you should call this phone number. And I was like, you have all her stuff. You've been telling me you didn't have it. Like, why were you afraid, like, I wouldn't keep in contact with you? Like, was there something. She's like, I was protecting you from the information. Like, she didn't want you to have the information until she was sure that like all these mafia people were gone. Like, it is 20, 25, there is no mafia.
- [51:48]
Kate
Like, yeah, because you said when she died she was ward of the state. Was that for like mental health reasonings?
- [51:57]
Diana
No, because she was like on public aid and stuff.
- [51:59]
Kate
Okay.
- [52:02]
Diana
When she like left and ran away from witness protection, she like got on all the government, like assistance.
- [52:08]
Kate
Okay.
- [52:09]
Diana
She got like money and food and then she had this like non for profit tiger thing after the kids. So she was able to like filter money in that way.
- [52:19]
Kate
Right. Okay, your story is just insane. It's insane. Yeah, it is. And it's mind blowing. Like, and especially like, I can't imagine the rage that you felt after she died and come to find out that she really was just getting pregnant to sell these babies like that.
- [52:39]
Diana
Oh, I was pissed last week. I was having a, like a rough time. I was like, cool. So I was like, like born for no reason. I don't like that.
- [52:49]
Kate
But you know that's not true, deeply, right?
- [52:52]
Diana
I know. And like I was like just feeling bad and like my daughter, actually my 17 year old, she's like, mom, that doesn't mean that she didn't want you or any of that. She just wanted money and that's what she wanted. And she's like, and what she did with you and your brothers had nothing.
- [53:08]
Ty
To do with you or your value. I mean, think about it. You're a 17 year old, probably is really happy that you're here. You know what I mean? I mean, so like even though you think I wasn't born for a reason, but it's like there's ripple effect effects that had that, that happened everyone's life that you know.
- [53:21]
Kate
But I can understand that being really painful to find out in those thoughts. Yes. And feeling like, wow, I meant nothing but money. You know what I Mean, like, that is hurtful.
- [53:31]
Diana
It's my dad. Like, you didn't have to do that. You could have given me to him.
- [53:34]
Kate
Like.
- [53:34]
Ty
Yeah, did now your biological dad, like, did. Did you find out any bad things about him or.
- [53:40]
Diana
My dad is a very. A very. A very cool guy. And, you know, he just. He just is laid back. Like, he lives in Florida, and he's just super laid back. And he.
- [53:54]
Kate
He's. He normal?
- [53:55]
Diana
Yeah, he's normal. He's a normal guy.
- [53:57]
Ty
So no tigers, no lions, no cell, no mafia.
- [54:01]
Diana
He was like a house painter. He likes garden, like, rides a Harley. He's just, like, a simple man.
- [54:08]
Kate
That had to be. They had to be so healing for him for you to find. For you two to find each other.
- [54:14]
Diana
Yeah. Well, he definitely, like, appreciates it, and he likes. And he loves our relationship, and, like, he sends me, like, memes and stuff. Like, just, like, funny stuff.
- [54:24]
Kate
Yeah.
- [54:24]
Diana
You know, and like, he, like, he likes to hear about my sons and, like, that. How we, like, have stuff in common and stuff like that, you know?
- [54:33]
Ty
Did you. Did you. Did you, like. Did you feel any difference when you became a mom yourself as an adoptee? Like, did you. Did you feel any, like, sense of, like. Because I hear a lot of stories about adoptees having their own children and they come parents and it's like, kind of. It hits them.
- [54:46]
Diana
Uh, yeah. You know, I feel like. I feel like I really, like, have a very deep connection, like, with my kids, and, like, I study, like, every inch of their face and, like, what face they make that may look like me, you know, or like, stuff like that, like, what behavior reminds me, me of me from them or, like, why they might be acting this way, what they might be feeling like. It's very cool for me to, like, see all that and learn all that and, like, really, like, be able to help my son when he is, like, having issues with his, like, behavior and stuff. And I'm like, hey, bro, like, I get it. Like, let's work it out, right?
- [55:29]
Ty
Well, yeah, and you also kind of learn growing up that, like, you're not gonna put these crazy expectations on your kids that you had to feel growing up. I mean, because it obviously didn't help at all. So it's. It's interesting how you're able to kind of take some stuff that happened to you and kind of. You know what I mean? I mean, that's the whole point of having kids, right? Being a parent is to break generational curses. And I feel like you have a lot of generational Curses going on.
- [55:51]
Diana
Working on it. I'm. I'm working on it. I'm trying to heal it at least, or, like, but, you know, even, like, just not giving my kids up is, like, breaking it is that cycle, you know, and she. She didn't get to, like, see me now, but, like, I know she sees me now.
- [56:12]
Kate
Oh, she does.
- [56:13]
Diana
Oh, she does. And that's, like, enough for me. And my parents here see me and they know and, like, we might not always get along, but they tell me that I am a good mom, you.
- [56:28]
Ty
Know, like, which is huge.
- [56:29]
Diana
I might not do everything right, but who does?
- [56:33]
Kate
Who does? We all mess up in one way or another.
- [56:36]
Ty
We all know what the hel. We're doing.
- [56:37]
Diana
No, it's true.
- [56:39]
Ty
Yeah, but so with your. Now, like, do your. Do your children have, like, good relationships with your parents and like, you know, grandma, grandpa, all that kind of stuff. So that's all normal kids love their.
- [56:49]
Diana
Grandparents, and the grandparents love them. Like, my mom loves to do things with the kids. She always has. And, you know, they. They did really want to be parents, obviously, because they do help me still, like, like, with my kids.
- [57:04]
Kate
That's awesome that they're good grandparents. That's important.
- [57:07]
Diana
They are. They are. My. My kids love them a lot.
- [57:11]
Ty
That's great. I'm glad that's. That's the way it is. Because I feel like sometimes, you know, adoptees get older and estrangement happens, then kids get affected by it and, you know. Yeah, yeah.
- [57:21]
Kate
I love what. I love it when it's like, you know, adoptive parents maybe have made mistakes with. With their adopted children through the years, but then they can turn around and kind of be better grandparents than what they were parents. I feel like that's super important. I wish some of our parents.
- [57:37]
Diana
They always. They always make sure that we're, like, safe and secure and like, in a. In at home. In our home environment, you know, like, they. When I didn't live here, like, they wanted us back here, living here. So, like, it's not perfect and everybody has their stuff, but, like, they do want me to do well because they want the kids to do well.
- [58:04]
Kate
Right, Right.
- [58:05]
Diana
And, you know, I always tell my mom, I'm like, we may not go about it the same way, but we do have, like, the same goal. And, like, I wish that, like, in these moments of, like, dis. Ease, that, like, you could realize that. That, like, we want the same things, right, for the kids, like, everything. We have the same goals. Goals. Just like, my way is different than yours.
- [58:27]
Kate
Yeah. And I. And I. And that's what I'm. Part of me is like. And I'm Mom.
- [58:31]
Ty
Yeah, right.
- [58:32]
Kate
You know, I might do it differently than you do it, but this is the way I'm gonna do it. Yeah, for sure.
- [58:38]
Ty
But do you feel like. Do you feel like growing up. I know you said that, you know, you. There's different ways of doing things. Did you notice, like, how early on did you notice that, like, okay, we have such differences where you almost can't deny that I'm adopted?
- [58:53]
Diana
Actually, like, nothing really like that people actually would tell us that we look alike when we're out. Even now, people are like, oh, you look like your mom and me. And I just, like, look at each other and laugh because, like, okay, well, that's funny.
- [59:08]
Ty
What do you. What do you wish. What do you wish people would know about being an adoptee in that experience that you think that society may get wrong?
- [59:19]
Diana
You know, I think that people really need to, like, understand that if you do choose to, like, adopt a child and have an adopted child in your house, like, you cannot be treating them different. And, like, if someone does, that needs to be corrected instead of just, like, accepted, you know, because, like, not fitting in with your family and, like, the people that are supposed to be around you can cause you to seek, you know, comfort from negative people that really shouldn't be around you, you know? And if you're feeling like you don't have connection at home, you're gonna seek it outside.
- [59:59]
Ty
Yeah, I hear Mom. I hear the word.
- [60:02]
Kate
That's all right. We're about.
- [60:03]
Ty
Sounds like. Sounds like our house. Yeah.
- [60:04]
Diana
Oh, gosh.
- [60:05]
Kate
All the time. All the time. So for people that don't know where to find you, where can people find you at?
- [60:12]
Diana
You can find me on Tick Tock at Black Market, baby. And that's really the only one that I, like, use publicly. Everything else is pretty, like, locked down.
- [60:23]
Kate
Yeah, that's fine. But I just want to say thank you for, you know, sharing your story and your crazy story. I'm like, wow, it is so intense. And just for being vulnerable. And it's super important. It's important to talk about, like Ty said in the beginning, like, no adoptee story is ever the same in any way. And so I just want to say thank you for being vulnerable and talking about it and sharing it with us.
- [60:51]
Diana
Of course. Of course. Thank you. Thank you. I definitely, like, I'm trying to do more stuff like this and talk about it more and, like, be a voice. It's like, something I'VE wanted to do for a long time and try and, you know, advocate for other people because a lot of, like, adults in my age group, group that are adopted have a lot of, like, social, emotional issues that, like, stem from them being adopted. And I find with men that they don't want to talk about it or deal with it.
- [61:21]
Kate
Right.
- [61:21]
Ty
Yeah.
- [61:22]
Kate
And it needs to be. That's the way. That's the way that you can heal is from talking about it and relating to other people.
- [61:27]
Ty
And I also feel like that's kind of why we're even doing this, because I think the more we just keep talking about it, the more we keep shedding light on all these nuances and all these different stories, the more the conversation keeps going, the more people learn. I mean, like. Like, I'm pretty sure you're still learning stuff as you go about what it's like. And, you know, I know. I know a lot of adoptees discover certain things later in life that were like, oh, if I would have read this book or if I would have heard that story, you know, 10 years ago, or, you know, so it's important that we don't miss the mark and we. And we make sure that we keep kind of keep this out in the public and keep talking about it. So I think I want to say thank you, Diana. You're doing great online. You're, you know, sharing your story. You're being vulnerable, you're being honest, and that's all anyone can ever ask for, especially coming from an adoptee's experience like your own.
- [62:09]
Diana
Yeah. Thank you. I really appreciate it. I'm really grateful to be here today. So thank you guys so much.
- [62:17]
Kate
Thank you.
- [62:22]
Ty
Just when you thought summer couldn't get any hotter, Pluto TV is turning up the heat with thousands of free movies presenting Summer of Cinema. Stream your favorite blockbuster films like Gladiator.
- [62:35]
Kate
I will have my vineyards.
- [62:36]
Ty
Good burger.
- [62:37]
Kate
This is what I do.
- [62:38]
Diana
Fast food.
- [62:39]
Ty
Beverly Hills Cop, the Girl with a Dragon Tattoo, and Julie and Julia.
- [62:43]
Kate
Bon appetit.
- [62:45]
Ty
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