Ok, If you have not figured it out from the picture, here goes. . .

Have you ever had someone with whom you have such a unique connection that it’s just so hard to put into words?

Well I do.

I can’t tell you who it is, you’ll have to guess, but what I can share is how important that this person is to me.

To begin with whenever I am stressed about something just hearing from them can help me relax and often laugh. Just taking a moment to say hello or comment they help turn my day around. I have questions, they often have a solution I had not thought of. If neither of us knows, we put heads together to sort it out. Now we do not always get along, but the great thing with them is that every day is like staring over, we seldom rehash yesterdays' stuff (ok a lot of times we forget the stuff). There is always new ground to cover, new things to share.

We don’t see each other in person a lot, in fact not at all. I have shared the space between us through literally tons of photos and written words though, theirs and mine. Pictures of children, birthdays, vacations, pets, a cluttered living room, a far away hotel room. Stories of snow in the yard, palm trees outside the window, first achievements, long awaited meetings, hellos, goodbyes, I been party to them all. Sometimes I forget I wasn’t even there.

They have listened to me too,like my words have meaning. It has been easy to share the complicated journey of adoption with them because they know the feelings themselves first hand. They have adopted children too. The joy and the love is understood, as well as the pain and the difficulties.

They are also adopted children themselves. I have learned a few things about how my children must feel from them.

They are birthparents who open their hearts to me with a trust that leaves me continually amazed.

They are still young and have found a special bond with a sibling welcomed through adoption.

They are young parents who are just beginning the journey to their children.

They are parents in the midst of raising their dreamed of family members.

The are older parents taking a step back to see where the next part of the adventure will take them.

Sometimes we talk about the children that they recently relinquished to adoption. Every day the process that they are experiencing has so many highs and lows that you could easily think you were roller-coastering!

Often we talk about grown children that they have reunited with and the many twists and turns that still play on their emotions.

Other days I hear about children they are searching for, but still waiting to find. It never ceases to amaze me how they keep positive perspective despite those challenging things.

So this Love Thursday, while I was thinking of something to blog, I kept thinking of this person. You probably know who it is by now. You more than likely can look in the mirror and see my “Mystery Connection” looking right back at you! No doubt this person means a lot more to you and your family than I could ever even know, but today I will just share that YOU also mean something to ME. Whatever adoption related connection you and I have talked of or shared, it has meant something to my life. Having other people who share your journey makes the traveling so much easier!

So THANK YOU and Happy Love Thursday! (Oh and do not forget to insert yourself in my photographic hug!)