Brothers (D’s Perspective)

We had lived our whole lives apart. We knew about each other, but we didn’t yet KNOW each other.  It’s a story that you might expect to see on one of those afternoon talk shows…”brothers meet for the first time after being apart their whole lives” or something to that effect. I’m sure many would tune in to that, after all, the story includes heartbreak, drama, emotional tension, separation from birth parents at a very young age, unconditional love from adopted parents, then coming together at last. People watch all kinds of crazy shows these days, so I know that one would get some views, as the story has something for everyone.

After 30+ years on the planet, I finally was getting the chance to meet my brother. The Lord had led me down this road and finally the time had come in June 2011. My wife and daughter joined me as we set out on a trip a few hours from our home and we settled in just a few miles from my brother’s house the night before we were to meet. Restless. Anxious. Excited. Really Excited. Good..luck…sleeping…because…you…can’t…stop…thinking…about…it. The morning came and we drove to his house. He was standing in the driveway, waiting with the same kinds of thoughts and emotions that I was having (“How will he react?”, “Will he appreciate me as I am?”, “I hope I don’t say the wrong things”, “Will our adopted families understand the importance of our meeting?”). The instant that I saw him my whole world changed. There was a giant hole in my life that was filled in. Instantly. Before he said a word. Just from one sight I was a different man and I continue to thank God for that feeling, and I pray I never forget it.

From that moment it was incredible to see how similar we were. Hair color, eye color, the way we stand, the way we speak and express our thoughts, the way each of us enjoys walking around cemeteries even if it means we go at it alone, the fact that we really don’t enjoy many condiments other than ketchup.  There are more that I won’t list, but a lot of what I couldn’t explain about why I am the way that I am was finally answered.

Once we met, we set out on an epic week-long adventure together. Exploring history, sports, cemeteries (oh and there were cemeteries), museums, and random spur-of-the-moment trips, there are enough stories there to write several blog posts about. Most important of all, we had a chance to get to understand each other, and that’s when we found out all that we had missed for so many years. The good news, we didn’t have to wait another day before finding out what it would be like to FINALLY know each other.

This blog is our story, not just how we met, but how we will go through life checking items off of our list of must-see places. We will post together and separately, each with our own signature.

Stay tuned for more, it’ll be better than your favorite day-time talk show.

D