I love this picture. It was taken right around my son’s first birthday when his birthparents were staying with us for a visit. We had all gone to church together that morning and afterwards had asked someone to snap this just outside. Some people might see two separate families in this photo, but I only see one.

From the very beginning I thought of P and E as our family. They came with Carson, part of his life “package.” I never thought of them as people we had to just make nice with in order to parent our son. How much would I have lost out on if that were my attitude going into adoption? I wonder how many families who adopt are missing something special because they can’t get past that feeling?

I really like P and E. As different as we all are, I see our two halves making a great whole Carson. As much as I knew I liked them, I never realized how much till life events for all of us have shifted our abilities to be in touch. Now on this Love Thursday when I pulled up this particular picture I felt sad and love all mixed up. I really miss P and E.

This year has been a busy one for our family as well as for P and E. They no longer are in touch with each other, one point that heavily pulls at my heart. They have also had many personal changes that have kept us from our visits for just over a year now. I am used to having them come to us twice a year, and we to them at least once, but this year all those appointed times fell through.

E recently has moved in with his new love (a very beautiful lady T whom we also have visits with) and together they have found a place and are getting resettled. P has also moved, but much farther away to a new state, with a new beau, and is expecting a baby this spring. On our end the business of daily life, school, illness and bad weather have held us back.

Sometimes as much as you want to be together, things can get in the way.

No matter how many different directions our lives are currently taking us, I want both P and E to know that they are always on my mind. When ever Carson does something so sweet (or even a bit naughty) they are the first ones that I think of. I wish that it were easier for us right now to share some of those experiences in person. I keep plugging along though and hoping for more time for our family to reunite. So far our 2007 is off to a slow start, but there is a lot of year left to work with.

So this Love Thursday I am thinking about you P and E. I am wishing you well in your transitions right now, and hopeful that soon we will drift back together to catch up. Remember this picture? I would trade all my kids Valentine candy (a ton) to slip back into that day for just a minute. I know that’s not possible, but I will always treasure the souvenir of the day, this informal family photo.

Happy Love Thursday P and E, and to everyone reading as well!