It's Been So Wonderful!

Words cannot express what I have felt the past 2 days. I cannot describe where someone can understand to the fullest how wonderful, amazing, exhilirating is has been to meet Brad face to face. I don't know where to begin telling about the past few days. I do have to say that I am seriously sad that they are leaving.

We decided that Brad and Amy would come to our house and meet us first before we went out to dinner. It was a good idea because I didn't want our first meeting to be in public. I can't believe it, neither of us cried. Jana came over before they came and I sure am glad. I was a nervous wreck. I couldn't sit still and I forced her to look at baby pictures with me. I was jumping out of my skin. Jana went in to my room and then the doorbell rang. Or maybe it was a knock. I can't remember. I just remember the rush I felt. Mackenzie went up to the door and looked out the frosted window and yelled "Stranger!!!" and ran to her room. Silly girl. I went and opened the door. I looked at him and we gave each other a big hug. He looked so good. His hair was a lot shorter than the pictures and it flattered him. Amy looked very nice too. I gave her a big hug too. They came in and of course he hugged Mackenzie first and tried to talk to Jackson but guess who he went to next. Buffet. Yup! He gave SOOOO much attention to her. What is it w/ Bobbie and Brad and animals? :-)

We sat in the den for a little while just talking and I was so thankful that Jana was there. She has been such a major part of the past 7 years of my life or so and she can remember when we met in 10th grade, 11 years ago, me talking about wanting to find my birth mother. Now she's met my birth father. It seemed so natural for us to talk. Mackenzie just adores him. It's like she does with my dad. I think it's because he makes it obvious that he likes kids and her and is good with them. We finally left our house to go and eat and Mackenzie wanted to ride with Brad and Amy. I know she had to of talked their ears off but I am sure that Brad enjoyed it.

I brought in a binder that had my senior picture in the front sleeve. The picture was taken on July 27, 1997, the summer before my Sr. year. I showed it to Brad and he was silent at first, but he said that I looked just like Bobbi. That picture was taken during the exact same time that Bobbi would have been in Oklahoma but 18 years before. I cannot wait to see pictures of her during that time to see how much we do look like each other.

We went to eat at Olive Garden. It was great. We had great conversation and there were great people there. Mackenzie sat in between Brad and Jana and then Jackson was on the end beside Brad and I was across from him and Amy next to me. Amy and Jana seemed to talk a lot and I know Jana was very interested in what Amy does for a living. It was so amazing to eat dinner with someone who has my DNA and I DIDN'T EVEN GIVE BIRTH TO HIM. I never imagined this happening. I didn't think if it did I'd even like him. Now I can't imagine life not knowing him. It's so neat to sit and watch our interaction with each other and other people because it is so apparent that we are alike in so many ways. Not things that are plain personality traits but for instance my memory for dates. I remember things to the day or time and am very weird if someone is talking about a time frame and I hear the say it and it's not exact I'll just blurt out the accurate date/time. It drives Lee nuts when I do this. Since I was a child I've said to people for instance "okay, I'll be there in 2 mins. and 36 seconds" or something odd like that. I've heard Brad say things similar to this. He also "quoted" the biological parents handbook and rule 9.23.45.1.4 (that wasn't exact but close). That is soooo something I'd do.

We left Olive Garden and they went back to their hotel and we went back to our house. Mackenzie and Jackson both passed out in the car. Jana and I chatted about how things went and how much we liked both of them. Mackenzie was so cute while we were outside watching to eat and ran and jumped up on Brad. I thought for sure she was going to break his back. Alas she didn't.

Friday morning we got up and Lee took the kids to school. I met Brad and Amy for breakfast at the Donut Hole. Lee came and joined us. This was the first time they met. Amy went shopping and Brad came back with me to the house and that's when we shared our pictures. It was so neat looking at the pictures from his childhood and then later in life. Jed was such an adorable little boy. He was always smiling in his pictures. I enjoyed the time so very much. I was so excited to share my pictures with him so he could see what a freaking cute baby I was.

It was nice for the two of us to have some time to spend by ourselves. It was just us and no one else. We talked about his stint in the military and I finally got to hear the interesting things I had wanted to hear. We talked about random things too. We got in the car to go pick up the kids and driving down US Hwy. 331 it hit me that I was in the car with someone who shares MY DNA. I touched his arm a couple of times and said something of that nature. How amazing it is. I never thought it would happen.

We picked up Mackenzie first and she was soooo happy to see Brad. She just adores him. Then we went to get Jackson and Brad had the priviledge to meet Candy. We were headed back to the hotel to drop him off but the traffic was horrible so instead Amy met us at the Back Porch. Wow, what a great time that was. Jackson was facinated by the water. He kept looking out at it and going "Wa wa". Mackenzie was so sweet and kept wanting to be with her daddy. I had bought Mackenzie and Jackson Christmas coloring books at the CVS a bit earlier and she was working on one of the activities but needed help. Brad was so patient with her and helped her work it out. It reminded me of my mom or dad with Mackenzie when we're at restaurants. He has the same patience with them and he loves kids so very much.

I introduced them to Fried Crab Claws. They were soooo good. Amy and Brad ordered Calamari and I sooooooo passed on it but Jackson ate some. He actually enjoyed it. Mackenzie of course chowed down on the cheese sticks. Our dinner came and it was great. Erin always does a good job of taking care of us when we eat there. Jackson did keep wanting his daddy so Lee took him to meet his workers and Jackson wouldn't go to anyone or say a word. I'm wondering if he's about to go through the terrible 2's as he has been cranking and obstinant lately. He's also become very clingy. Not fun for going out places.

We left the restaurant and the kids and I headed home and then Brad and Amy went their seperate ways. They ended up going back to the outlet mall. The kids and I passed out pretty quickly once we got home.

We got up Saturday morning and I called Brad about 8:45ish. They went and had brunch at Another Broken Egg and then were going to hit a few beach shops and we were to meet them at noon at the outlet mall. Well Mackenzie and I had gone into Destin about 10:15ish and went to Wal-Mart to get some more cups and straws and once we found out when we'd meet up with them we went and got some lunch. We got sandwhiches from Lenny's Sub shop. She loves turkey and cheese and I got a philly. I enjoyed our lunch together. Rarely do we have the chance to do things with just the two of us. We left and went to the outlet.

Once we met up with Brad and Amy we headed over to Baytowne Wharf. Wow, it was nice as always there. I haven't been during the middle of the day before but I enjoyed going as always. Amy went into the shops and Brad, Mackenzie and I sat outside. It was very nice and relaxing. The only thing is it was hot and humid. I was very sticky. We then went and walked down the pier to look at the water. It was so nice. Amy picked out her yacht. We just need to convince Brad to buy it now. :-)

Lee and Jackson came to meet up with us but when they got there we were ready to leave. Amy wanted to check out the boat races so we ended up going to the place by Lee's work and sitting under the Bud VIP tent to watch the races. All I can say is I had no idea it would be as cool as it was. Man those boats were going so fast and helicopters were following the different boats and zooming all around. Mackenzie decided to get in the water and was soaked. Towards the end of the race the clouds rolled in and it got really windy and cold. Mackenzie was freezing to death. We went back to the house while Amy and Brad went to freshen up. Then they would head over to my house since I decided to cook dinner for everyone.

They got to the house and I wasn't even close to being finished. I didn't realize how long it'd take. Amy was so kind and sweet to the kids and went in Jackson's room and built things w/ the Legos with them. Brad stayed in the kitchen while I was cooking. For a while Amy was in there and she left and then came back. It was mayhem but great nonetheless. We ate dinner and I have to say it was sooooooooo good. My homemade chicken parmesean it amazing. I can't wait to go eat left overs in a minute.

We sat at the dinner table and talked until 10. The three of us talked a little bit about everything. I truly enjoyed it. It was like having dinner with another married couple. Like old friends. I have to admit, I didn't want them to leave. Lee had gone a bit earlier to put Jackson down and was in and out the entire time. They left and decided they'd come back Sunday morning (this morning) to say goodbye and take pictures. Can you believe we took NO pictures until this morning???? I know, it's stupid and crazy!!!!

So they came by about 9:30. We sat in the den for an hour or so and took pictures. Mackenzie was hyper as ever and crawling all over Brad. She acted like I did when I was little. She has to be the center of attention. It gets a little obnoxious but what can you do? We took some great pictures of the kids and Brad and then w/ Amy in them too. The pictures with me leave a lot to be desired but that's okay.

We said our goodbyes. I have to admit I wanted to throw a temper tantrum and beg them not to go. It's like I found this great new couple to be friends with. I love him. He's amazing, great with kids, loves animals, kind, compassionate, sensitive and so honest. I am so blessed to have so many people in my life now who love me. I've now got Brad, Bobbi and my mom and dad.

I have to admit I cried. Lee held me but I did cry. I know I'll see them again but with the distance it's not like I can go up for the weekend. I have to admit tears are falling as I type this part. It reminds me of when I'd cry when Avonelle would get on a plane to go back to Charlotte. I'd cry the whole way home. I'm not sad, just hate the fact that they live so far away. They are great people. I can be myself completely with the two of them and I don't have to hold anything back. Honestly, that's not something I'm use to. It's kind of nice.

So it was a great visit and can't wait for the next one. This post has taken 3 days to write and I hope those can get through the length and enjoy it.