365 Project – Day 254 – Family Ties

I’ve always been a little bit on the shy side–well, maybe not shy, but certainly reserved. Introverted. I’ve never been one that enjoyed the being in the spotlight, or the center of attention, yet that’s exactly where I found myself when I first reunited with my birthparents in the winter of 2002. I went from being a wallflower to being the main attraction at the three-ring circus virtually overnight.

Luckily, my reunion was a good one. To be honest, the story reads like something out of a fairytale. I still pinch myself regularly to make sure I’m not dreaming, because I can’t for the life of me figure out how one girl can be so blessed. Not only did I grow up in an amazing adopted family, but in 2002, that family more than tripled in size.

It’s funny how, even now, nearly 10 years after that initial reunion, I am still meeting members of my biological family for the first time. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me a little nervous. I think it always will. But each time, it gets a little easier as I add another name to the long list of genuinely beautiful and down-to-earth people that I am blessed to call my kin.

After spending a wonderful week with Momma Dawn, Poppa Mark, Kassie, Jeremy, Beau, and Eddie in Florence, I headed to Aunt Jen’s house in Phoenix to finish up my Arizona tour. Aunt Jen grilled some burgers and I got to meet my sweet cousin Bailey, her daughter Sophia, her Mom Mary and her sister Madison. I’d heard Bailey’s name so many times over the years, and always looked forward to meeting her, yet our paths just never seemed to cross. Finally, tonight, we were able to get together and spend a little time and boy, let me tell you, it was worth the wait.

Cadence had a blast playing with Madison. The girls hopped, skipped, twirled, danced, jumped, giggled and chased each other all over Aunt Jen’s house. Except, of course, when Cadence took a short break to fawn over baby Sophia. Bailey, Mary, Jen, and I spent the evening talking and laughing and having fun. Before we said goodbye, I certainly had to get a few shots of my newest cousins. Here are a few of my favorites…