Heartwarming moment a mother and daughter reunite after safety concerns led them to live apart for 22 years

A mother and daughter have rekindled their relationship after 22 years of living apart. 

Katie Cleath, 37, from Tulsa but currently lives in Colorado, felt forced to cut ties with her daughter, Hannah Lewis, 22, after she was born.

When she was 14 years old, Katie, who now works as an aesthetician, fell pregnant, and shortly after turning 15, gave birth to Hannah.

Although Katie had a loving and supportive family, she felt she had no choice but to put Hannah up for adoption to protect her from someone in her life who she believed at the time was a safety risk. 

Katie said: 'Although I was so young and it was hard, knowing that Hannah was safe was the only thing that got me through.'

Hannah Lewis (right) has been reunited with her bioligcal mother, Katie Cleath (left), after 22 years of living apart from one another

Fast forward 22 years later and Katie and Hannah are both safe and happy with their circumstances.

Hannah admitted that life has been full of ups and downs, but she was fortunate enough to have supportive adoptive parents who have given her a positive childhood.

Growing up in Texas with her adoptive parents, Hannah first consciously came into contact with her biological mother when she was around 12 years old.

They talked on and off for the next few years, but communication issues stopped their relationship from ever progressing.

Hannah said: 'I didn't fully know why I was given up for adoption, and my mother didn't know that I didn't know.

'Neither of us really knew if the other wanted to talk so we kind of put it off. It just didn't happen.'

Despite previous communication issues with her biological parents, Hannah said: 'I've had a great life with my adopted family.

'Admittedly, there's been some struggles because being adopted isn't something that was talked about a lot with me. I've had to do my own research over the years.'

In a heartwarming video, Hannah recorded the moment her biological mother met her at the airport

Katie felt forced to put Hannah up for adoption shortly after she was born amid safety concerns 

Hannah has praised her adoptive family and the positive childhood experience that they gave her in Texas 

One year after Hannah was born, Katie and her family travelled to her new home in Texas to visit her.

They met again when Hannah was four years old. However, there was fear and confusion surrounding the visit.

Katie worried that her daughter's adoptive family might feel as though she was overstepping the boundary with the visit.

As a result, the pair did not meet again until Hannah reached out to her biological mother.

They eventually began to talk more, which led Hannah to stay with Katie recently. Now, they're helping each other navigate the next steps.

Hannah and Katie appeared ecstatic to be back in each others company and embraced each other with a warm hug

Katie travelled from Texas to Colorado to spend time with her biological mother  

Hannah has documented her experience with adoption on TikTok to shed light on the lesser-discussed aspects of adoption 

Hannah is currently in Colorado with Katie and her brothers, focusing on healing and making up for lost time.

She said: 'It feels like I have divorced parents, with my adoptive family in Texas taking care of my horses, and my mother and brothers here in Colorado.

'I want to be with everyone equally, but it's a struggle for all of us. I documented our journey on TikTok to shed light on lesser-discussed aspects of adoption.

'The response has sparked important conversations, but I understand it's not for everyone. Despite the challenges, it's an amazing and beautiful journey.'