Things, Stuff & Such

In 1990 I was a senior in High School.   I had been dating Syria for about a year when she became pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl.  She was adopted by a wonderful family that knew Syria.  I won’t go into the details except to say that after meeting and talking with them Syria and I felt certain they were right for .  We had to back out of arangements that were already being made through the adoption agency.

Her name is Lauren and throughout the years I have received pictures and progress reports through Syria.  Each time I would hear how well she was doing I was reassured we had made the correct decision. 

When Lauren turned eighteen she was told about Syria and I by her parents.  Lauren contacted Syria and they arranged to meet about a month later.  Before that could happen Syria and I had to tell Scott and Aaron.

I flew up for a weekend and we sat the boys down.  I was not sure what to expect from the boys.  I had played every reaction I could think of over and over in my head.  My worry was they would feel lied to or betrayed.  I have to say, it went very smoothly.  They were, of course, shocked at first, but that quickly gave way to excitement.  They both wanted to meet their sister.

A week later the four of them got together.  By the end of the visit everyone seemed to have bonded.  I got many calls from Syria telling me how well everything was going and talking to the boys I could tell everyone was happy. 

Two weeks ago it was my turn to meet her.  Lauren had written a very nice letter saying she wanted us to meet.  The boys were coming for a long weekend visit along with their mother.  Syria was staying with Lauren and her mother while the boys stayed with me. 

I picked the three of them up from the Ft. Lauderdale airport Friday evening.  On the drive back I got to talk to Lauren a little bit over Syria’s cell phone speaker phone, which was a little awkward for me but did break the ice a bit.  I was very nervous about this meeting – I wanted it to go well but knew my limited social skills and shyness could come off the wrong way. 

I can not articulate what I felt meeting her for the first time.  It was amazing and a bit surreal. 

She is beautiful. 

She is intelligent. 

She is funny. 

She is articulate. 

She is virtuous.

She is ethical.

She is an accomplished student.

… and more.