I mailed the letter to my aunt on Wednesday and on Friday morning she called me.  It was a normal Friday morning, barely awake enough to attempt to be productive, I sat at my desk typing away, when my cell phone rang.  I make it a practice to not answer calls from numbers I don't know, I figure if someone really wants to talk to me they will leave a message..right?  Anyway, I let the call go to voice mail and I busily typed the phone number into google to see who was calling me.....Lakeside/Pinetop.  My first thought was..."OMG...they found my shoe!" (A story for another time) and then my pulse quickened a bit and I was anxious, my stomach dropped as I remembered she lives in Lakeside/Pinetop.  No, it couldn't be...could it?

I waited for what seemed like an eternity for the little green light on my phone to tell me there was a message. And then I listened..repeatedly to the sound of my aunt saying she was happy I found her because she had looking for me for years.  And that I had family that wanted to meet me and that she knew how to contact my father.

The rest of the day was a blur, I couldn't concentrate on anything and was relieved when the boss said to leave early.  I knew I had to race home to meet the contractor to get the estimate on the hole in my ceiling, but I also had a phone call to return.  The contractor came and left with somewhat good news....payment on the deductible, cleaning the carpets and painting the entire ceiling....excitement in the life of this home owner!
I had knots in my stomach and I almost didn't call her back.  I was afraid of opening the door that had been closed for so long...was I sure this is what I wanted? How would my dad react to this news?

I dialed the number and prayed no one would answer, after the fourth ring I was rehearsing my message in my head when she answered.  I meekly said "Hi, this is Michelle".  We didn't talk for long, but long enough for me to find out that I have 2 brothers and a sister on my fathers side.  I have a huge family....in the hundreds and all along they have known about me and have been looking for me.  My father is living a quiet life in Missouri, she hasn't seen him in 10 years.  It was overwhelming..... all of it.

Today, I have gotten numerous friend requests from family members, but no one has actually talked to me.  I think its weird for all of us.

So thankful to have my honey along on this journey, he has been so supportive and understanding. And my mom, I didn't know how she would react to all of this, but she has been wonderful.  I couldn't ask for more than I have.  I am feeling blessed.