Forever family 1

Almost 2 years ago, we planned a trip for March 2020 where Nick would get to meet his birth family. It was going to be an informal gathering of people in complex relationships. In some ways we’re strangers and yet these are some pretty intimate relationships.  At any rate, we were all pretty excited and then COVID derailed our plans and set the timeline for bringing Jayden home back a ways.  

Fast forward to spring 2021, we still had a meeting on our hearts and minds, but began to realize that the attachment in our home was too fragile for travel or to introduce any potential for misunderstanding. So we asked Aunt Lisa if she’d be willing to come here for a visit and she very graciously agreed! Older brother, Chris, was also excited to join.  

The dream became a reality this past weekend. To celebrate we had a mini family reunion of Pfeiffer’s and Estevezes, plus some friends too. We shared our usual routines like walks to the bus, pickups at preschool, family walks, campfires, foosball games and pizza from Mangia Mangia.  And we also did some special occasion type stuff like taking a ride on the Strasburg Railroad, renting the Marian parlor car, and riding and tasting the treats at Hershey’s Chocolate World. There was lots of time for conversation which meandered from work in healthcare (which Lisa shares with us as an ICU Nurse) to raising children and everything in between.  Lisa is completely devoted to her family, and she clearly sees Jayden, Nick, Chris and all of us as a part of that special group.  She’s a wonderful role model and confidant. We’ve spent two thanksgivings at her house in the past six years, and so our time together was smooth, like old friends reconnecting.  

Although loss is experienced by everyone involved in adoption, we’re also taken by it’s beauty and joy.  Like so many of our other experiences with this forever family, our time this weekend was rich, uplifting and bittersweet.  

All four kids clung to big brother Chris, now 18.  He was the MVP of the weekend no doubt, giving countless shoulder rides, playing catch, catching crayfish, painting and also trying to help calm disagreements.  Lisa, Mike and I really enjoyed seeing them bond and make a new set of memories that will hopefully reframe what family means to us all, for years to come.  

There are almost 200 adorable and hilarious pictures from this 4-day-weekend so I’ll try to pick a reasonable few that tell the stories! 

Here are some highlights from Thursday and Friday: