And the story continues

WE HAD LUNCH!!!!  

We recognized each other immediately, even from a distance. Ty video taped us as we came forward and hugged and both us started crying. I can watch that clip over and over.

Before I say anything more about lunch, I want to tell you what happened between my mother and myself. The morning that Barb and I were to meet, I really felt and needed to call my mom. She was so appreciative that I was sharing this day with her. I was so nervous. We were all going to meet at this real fancy restaurant where the food was more sophisticated than I would ever eat. I had to google the menu and the look up what some of the stuff was. My mom told me not to worry, just pick what I liked and not worry about how much it would cost, just be comfortable. I asked her about the check, who should pay that or should we all pay for our own.  (See how nervous I am - I grew up eating food like this, but my stomach didn't want me to eat oysters and clams) My mom told me to pick up the check and pay for the lunch. She said that she would reimburse me for it, that she really wanted to do this for me. She was so encouraging and never once said anything about how she felt, it was about how brave I was and she didn't want me to get hurt, etc. I needed her "blessing" before I left. And she gave it to me without hesitation or conditions.

The drive should have taken us a little over an hour so we left two hours before the lunch, wanting to have time to relax and breathe before lunch. OMG, the traffic was horrible and then when we got to town, there was an Earth day celebration going on. The main streets were closed off and finding parking was terrible. When we finally found a parking space (two blocks away), it was five after. I knew if I was the one waiting, I would be going crazy, so I texted her to let her know we were there, just parking.

Seeing Barb and seeing her seeing me, I cannot evev describe the feeling. Instant recognition, just hugging each other tight for a long while. She is shorter than me and kind of petite. My heart was just overfilled. We weren't even paying attention to Ty or her friend Carol. It was just us for about 5-10 minutes. You know, how you just stare at each other, hug, cry, looking for resemblences, not really caring if we looked alike but just such overwhelming joy.

Finally we broke apart and introduced Ty and Carol. Barb and Carol started talking about the restaurant and that it wasn't what they thought it would be like, so we went to the restaurtant next door that had food we all knew and we sat on the riverfront.

Two things that really stood out for me, one her friend Carol, who was always staring at me) exclained that we had the same wrists. Both of us have these big wrist bones that makes it uncomfortable to wear wastches. We leaughed.

But the second thing was when she said "when I had you". Never before had I heard those words. I didn't cry but I sure got teary.

Ty picked up the check and announced that the lunch was on his mother-in-law. Barb got all teary. It was like a weight was lifted off of her shoulders. She was relieved that my mom was so supportive of this meeting. It meant a lot to her that my family was good with me meeting her.

We spent about four hours just talking. We sat in the restaurant for about two hours and then walked around for a couple. She is so nice and so easy going. It was surreal. And I can't wait to see her again. I don't know when or if she will tell her family about me but she was the one who said that she was looking forward to getting together soon. I clarified that comment, making sure that this wasn't a one time deal and she was surprised that I even thought she wouldn't want to see me again.

We probably hugged good-bye about five times. I think that if Ty and Carol hadn't insisted that we stop, we would still be there, on the street corner, today.

I just don't have the words to express how I feel. Too many emotions. But all good.

Thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts, and words of encouragement.