A Reunion to Remember

After our initial phone reunion we talked on the phone, IM'd each other and sent pictures to one another so we could get some sort of a glimmer as to what each of us looked like. One of my siblings "L" and I spoke the most. He was so curious and wanted to know EVERYTHING. He wanted to know what my family was like, was I happy, what kind of school did I attend and the list goes on and on. There was so much information that I had to keep a notebook by me to write everything down so I wouldn't forget anything. I also kept a journal during this time. I wanted all my emotions written down.

I called the agency because I wanted confirmation that the birthfamily I found was the correct family. I spoke with the social worker who gave me the name of the search angel when I was searching. She was one of the sweetest and compassionate people that I have ever met. She told me that she would pull my file and give me a call. In the meantime.....

The curiosity was killing my hubby "J". He wanted to see if I resembled anyone and told me he couldn't take it anymore and to call my brother "L" and tell him that plane tickets were waiting for him at the airport to come and visit us. I left a message for "L" telling me that I "couldn't take it anymore" and that he needed to call me. "L" returned my call that night and told me that I scared him because of my cryptic message. I didn't tell him that the plane tickets were at the airport I only said that I "couldn't take it anymore". Poor guy thought I was going to tell him that it was all a mistake and a joke. When I explained he said that he'd be on the plane that Friday. I couldn't believe it. I was finally going to meet someone that shared my DNA. Someone that could answer questions. But I still had this feeling of "what if I'm wrong about them being family" in my head. My heart told me the opposite - I was positive that I was right.

Now some of you might ask, why didn't you meet your birthmom first before your siblings? Easy, because my brain kept telling me to take it slow and I didn't want to be wrong about it. I wanted it to be true. I think "J" my birthmom felt the same. She knew in her heart that it was right but in her head she too wanted confirmation. "L" was the next oldest and we seemed to be the closest in personalities at the time. I felt comfortable talking with him.

Friday finally rolled around and I was in for a huge day ahead of me. Not only was I going to meet my bbrother for the first time, but one of my highschool best friends came over to see me. We hadn't seen each other in over 15 years. It was really great sharing it with her. By the late afternoon my nerves were shot. I was the manager of the complex where we were living. My hubby was telling EVERYBODY that would listen. It was really cute though. He was so proud. It reminded me of the day we became parents. We were both overjoyed with emotions.

The time came to pick up "L" from the airport. I had asked him how I would recognize him. He was coming in from Arizona and said "I'm 6'5" and will be wearing a black cowboy hat". As I stood in the area where they depart from the plane I was staring at every single tall man with a hat on. Do you realize how many tall men with hats come from Arizona - LOL. Alot I tell you ALOT!!! Out walks this guy that took one look at me and said "my God you look just like mom". It was my brother "L". He recognized me!!! What an awesome feeling. We hugged while "J" snapped photo after photo (btw, I have enough pictures to choke a horse thanks to "J"). "L" hugged me like he would never let go. "L" and I couldn't take our eyes off of each other. It was like we wanted to know every line in the face of one another to be imbedded in our brains forever.

We stayed up half the night talking and showing photo albums to one another. That night I woke up from a dead sleep and woke "J". I was half asleep and told him I had a dream that my brother was in my home. "J" said "your not dreaming honey". I made him get out of bed to check and make sure "L" was still there. He laughed at me and did it happily. I guess my mind was still in a bit of shock with all that was happening around me.

The next day we took "L" to where I grew up. He wanted to see my schools, home, etc. I guess it made him feel better knowing that things were okay for me. Throughout the evening of the next day neighbors came over to congratulate "L" and I. It was amazing. We talked, ate, drank and just had a great time. The last morning "L" was there we went to develop all the pictures so he could take some back with him. We started looking at the pictures and just stopped dead in our tracks. "J" pointed out how "L" and I stood the same, crossed our arms the same way, same expressions, etc. That old question of are characteristics hereditary or learned came into play. "L" also called my birthmom "J" and told her "oh yeah, she's ours"!!! It was kind of funny the way he said it.

"L" left that evening for his home. I missed him when he left, but knew that I'd see him again soon. I wasn't going to let go now that I found them.

The following week I called the social worker again to tell her that I had met my brother. She said "I was just going to call you, guess what I have on my desk." It was my file. She confirmed that we were correct in the family. She even told me what my room looked like when I was adopted. She had that room down to the curtains. It was a beautiful room and I remember it still. My mom wanted something different for me. I had lavender carpet with lavender, gold and pink polka dotted wallpaper on one wall with swiss dot white curtains. Maybe that's why my favorite color is purple. She even confirmed that the man I talked to about being listed as the father on my birth certificate was correct. Then it dawned on me, my birthmom and aunt saw the same man. Weird!!!!

Now I needed to get over the next hurdle... Meeting my birthmom face to face for the first time in 37 years.