8 years ago this morning I woke up having no idea that my life was about to change forever.

8 years ago I woke up not knowing my dad.  He'd given up his rights 13 years before, and I had given up on my search for him.  I was just making the trip to Longview to see some old family and friends.  I had no clue that by that evening, I'd be a whole new person.  I had no clue that by that evening, I'd finally be whole again.

Most of you know the story, but I like to tell it every year.  Unless you have been in that situation, it's hard to imagine what it's like.  To find out that someone you thought wouldn't want you around has been waiting, hoping, and praying that you would find them.  To live so long without that completeness in your life, only to turn around and in five minutes, find it.  Suddenly.  Without warning.  It's indescribable.

My dad gave up his rights when I was 7.  It's a long story, and I don't feel like going into it, but long story short, my step-dad adopted me and I never heard from my dad again for 13 years.  When I was a young teen I asked my mom if I could write him a letter.  She told me in no uncertain terms that wasn't an option.  But I still wished for that in the back of my mind.  Something wasn't quite complete.  In fact, it was far from it.  My life was so empty because I remembered him.  I knew who he was.  I had a picture of him in my head. 

So, when I was 18 I started actively looking for him without telling anyone.  It was a secret undertaking and I had to be careful.  I didn't want my mom getting upset with me.  Looking back, that was probably a huge mistake.  I should have just been honest with her from the beginning.  It would have made our relationship much less strained.  Regardless, I was young, and stupid, and I went behind her back.  But it was to no avail.  Every avenue I took brought me straight to a dead end.  I was at a loss.

Then, I became serious with someone, and I took him to Longview to meet my family and friends.  It was a casual day.  Just come down, meet some people, head back to Dallas.  Nothing too fancy.  We ended the day at an old friend, Cynthia's, house.  That's when she told me she'd seen my dad. 

Emotions just overtook me and I looked him up.  Sure enough, here he was, back in the city I had lived in as a child.  Right there, in the phone book, where I could have found him for the entire time I had been looking.  I don't know what came over me.  I picked up the phone. 

When he answered, I asked if he was indeed, who I was looking for.  He said, "yes, that's me."  And I said, "This is Jennifer - your daughter."

An eternity passed.  I began to freak out.  What if it wasn't him?  What if I had just disrupted some poor guy's dinner because he happened to have the same name as my father?  What if he really didn't want to see me? What if I was making the biggest mistake of my young life??

Then he said it.  "Hi."  The tone in his voice told me he was glad I'd called, but he was completely caught off guard.  After several extremely awkward minutes, we decided to meet for dinner.  (Yeah, like I could have eaten.)  Off we went.

When I finally saw him again, he hugged me.  I couldn't move.  I couldn't breathe.  Here he was.  The man who had made my life incomplete.  I wasn't sure how to respond to him.  I wasn't sure what to say or do.

Eventually, we worked through all of our issues, and he answered all of my questions so honestly.  He held nothing back, and made no excuses.  I respected that so much.  Over time, we got closer and eventually became the best of friends.

I know this is weird to say, but today I'm grateful for those missing years.  Without them, I'd have a completely different relationship with my dad.  He wouldn't be my best friend in the world.  He wouldn't be my main confidant, the person I go to before anyone else when I need to talk.  I just can't believe 8 years have passed already.  It's been a crazy ride, but one I wouldn't miss for anything on earth.

I love you, Daddy!!  Happy Anniversary!

And I don't think I'm going with either of those cars!!  Haha!!

Y'all are right.  I'm a Jeep girl, through and through... and I'm not even too worried about gas prices.  That is, I wasn't, until I heard that they are probably going to shoot up to $5 and $6 a gallon... and fairly soon.

No thank you.  Even though I don't have much to spend my money on, I'm not going to throw it at Exxon, thank you very much.  I have no desire to spend $100 or more a week on gas.

So, I started doing some research.  I decided since I wasn't getting the Jeep, I wanted another convertible.  This may be my last chance in life to have a fun car... I'm going to take advantage of it.  I love the Beetles, but I researched other cars as well.  Finally... I settled on a car that's cute, fun, 4 cylinder with decent gas mileage, top of it's class, and one I'd love, love, love to drive!

Haha!  Yup!  I think I'm getting a Miata!!

I am still researching... but I think this may be the car.  Anyway... I hope I can get it this fall.  That's what I'm working towards.  We'll see!!   It'll be used.  I never buy new cars.  And I can't really afford a new one. 

Love y'all!