We had quite a few family reunions and events during our honeymoon period after my son Bob and I reunited. My husband was almost as excited as I was, and my family was very happy and welcoming to Bob who felt very much at ease with his family. Each time, Bob met more family members!
The most notable of these reunions was our Christmas which was held on New Year’s Day in 1999. We celebrated in my sister Patrice’s house which was welcoming and beautifully decorated for Christmas. We served out traditional New Year’s meal, sauerkraut and pork. We also made vanilla ice cream and Nancy and I made our family’s traditional home made hot fudge sauce. It was delicious! I can taste it now. Mmmmm! Bob brought presents for all of his second cousins which they all loved. By calling his cousins earlier to find out what their children would like, he began establishing relationships with them. It was a very joyous occasion, and everyone wanted their picture taken with Bob.
It was a very special Christmas for me having my son with us at Christmastime! He gave me a mother and child necklace which I wear and I will cherish always!
The first year of our reunion we had a true honeymoon experience! Bob called me every Sunday and then asked me to call him on Wednesdays. We had a lot of catching up to do! Tim and I also took Bob skiing to Killington Vermont, and had a great time!
We also visited Bob in his house and went to chapel for a beautiful Palm Sunday service. That is when I heard that Bob had a very good singing voice. I always love to hear his voice!
Other times, Bob came to our home, such as Memorial Day, when we all walked to a nearby park, and the guys threw football, softball, and even made some baskets while my niece took a video. We celebrated many birthdays with Bob’s in August when I ordered an ice cream cake with Happy Birthday Bob written on it for the very first time! And our Christmas of 1999 was celebrated at my niece Tammi’s house in New Jersey. By now Bob met just about all of his family members! It felt so natural and so wonderful at the same time to have my son with us for 6 days! I made him a red felt Christmas stocking with a white top with his name on it, in the tradition of our family.
So our time together with my son was always precious to me even as things became more normal and he blended with his family.
There always was that thought in my mind: What if I would have kept my son and not given him for adoption? He would have grown up with at least 8 cousins around his age! But I know that you can never go back, and Bob is so secure, responsible, and self-stufficient. I would never want him to be any different than he is now. He is a wonderful son, and I could not be happier that we are together now for 35 years!
Such an amazing connection! I’m happy for you and Bob!
Your story beautifully captures the joy of reunion and the enduring warmth of family, showing how love makes every moment precious.