10 years.  Wow.  Who’d have thunk it?

Well, it was 10 years ago today that I got back to my desk from lunch and opened an e-mail from an unknown person named Barbara telling me that she thought she might be the parent I was actively looking for.  It’s hard to believe that it has been 10 years.  Healing that missing relationship has helped to heal so many things in my life.

But the best thing of all is that Babs and I have settled into such a good, loving and respectful relationship with one another and that we have maintained such a strong bond in the intervening years.  I never thought I wanted that, much less would treasure it as much as I now do.  Our reunion was so good for my soul.  I think we both really needed it.

I still remember how I felt a day or two later when a package from FedEx arrived and I saw Barbara’s picture for the first time.  I can’t even begin to describe to you how it felt, at the age of 33, to actually resemble someone for the first time in your life.  It was an amazing experience.

Barbara, thank you for looking for me when I was looking for you.  I can’t image life without you now and I am so thoroughly grateful you are part of my everyday life and my family.