Mother and child reunion
Ottawa Sun
By Joanne Richard

YOU COULD say Canadian powerhouse LuAn Mitchell Halter finally has it all.

LuAn Mitchell Halter, right, and daughter Jaki Laga recently reunited after 27 years apart. They hope their story of hope and healing will inspire others in the same situation.(Photo courtesy of LuAn Mitchell Halter)

The self-made multimillionaire, author, motivational speaker and former chairman of Mitchell's Gourmet Foods has become MVP once again -- this time it's in her long-lost daughter's life, a daughter given up for adoption 27 years ago.

"I'm just all tingly all over. I'm so happy for all my blessings and Jaki is the icing on the cake," says the 45-year-old former beauty queen.

Mitchell Halter, named Canada's "No. 1 female entrepreneur" by both Profit and Chatelaine magazines, and online radio host of The Woman MVP Who Set You Free, reconnected with daughter Jaki Laga, who was given up for adoption when she was five months old.

Following almost three decades of gut-wrenching separation, the two met for a heart-warming mother/daughter reunion in Vancouver two weeks ago.

HAPPY-EVER-AFTER START

"It's such a huge gift in my life," says Laga, a bubbly optimist who's counting on a happy-ever-after ending. Or maybe it's a happy-ever-after start.

They're both basking in the blossoming bond. Laga, 28, has just travelled to Banff to spend more time with her birth mother and "new" siblings -- 13-year-old sister Jinji, and teen brothers Freddie and Ryan, who's adopted.

"We're keeping it real," mom and daughter declare in unison, both aware there'll be ups and downs in building a relationship after years of emotional turmoil, distance and disconnect. They hope their story helps others who may be journeying along the same path of hope and healing.

FINALLY 'AT PEACE'

"The very best thing about reconnecting with my mom is that I feel whole. I have been living in my world with a huge gap in my heart and now I am at peace," says Laga, a Vancouver account executive who's kept track of her high-profile birth mom's life from a distance -- via paperdoll.net (Mitchell Halter's website).

With her adoptive parents' blessing, Laga contacted her birth mom this past Mother's Day.

"I stopped blaming and started thanking for all my blessings; life is just too darn short," says Laga, who's thrilled for the opportunity to reconnect and be part of a larger family circle.

"There is room enough for everyone in our lives if we open our hearts to each other -- and the great news is that we have."

Mitchell Halter says a day didn't go by that she didn't think about the beautiful baby she gave up as a teen. While in a bizarre twist of fate their paths crossed when Laga was 12, out of love and respect for both Laga and her adoptive parents, Mitchell Halter didn't interfere.

Today, Mitchell Halter says the two are feeling the magic and are hoping their story spreads their joy and "sparks beautiful things in others." Having it all is to have the wealth of health of those around her, Mitchell Halter says, and to help others and inspire them.

Laga agrees: "With good intentions and actions filled with love, both my mom LuAn and I are going to send positive ripples into the fabric of the universe. I see many family days filled with laughter, a good BBQ and a lot of hugs.

"I see my future children growing up in a family unit filled with peace and forgiveness -- and learning from their mom (me) and grandmas about unconditional love and the power of positive thinking.

"I see two women who have come full circle in their own journeys, and in their shared journey. The future is filled with all the good stuff I have been waiting for!"