Being in a relationship with someone you met while they were in Prison can be rather difficult. You have to have your eyes wide open to spot any signs of deceit. I will have another blog regarding that issue alone. L did a good job with making sure that I knew that I was the one and only for him.
It was the end of our second date and L had told me that he was going to call his parents that night. He wanted to see them some time soon and was going to ask them to come up. I get home from our date around 8pm. I was actually sitting in my sisters car ready to go out for some girl talk and cocktails when my phone rang with a number that I did not recognize. I answered the phone with my guard up and a womans voice says "Is this Soraya?" I hesitated on answering the question because I didn't want this to be what I thought it would be. You know what I am talking about. That call that you get from the wife or girlfriend telling you that she found your number in her mans cell phone and then you both end up having this long conversation adding up times and places. I was nervous to answer but I did. I told her that I was Soraya and the next response was music to my ears. She said "This is L's sister and he gave me and my mom your number to call and introduce ourselves to you and to make sure you made it home safely". My heart sank at that very moment. She went on to say how much L talks about me to them and how happy he sounds. She even told me that her brother has never talked to her about any female before so she knew that I had to be someone special to him. I couldn't do anything but smile the entire time. Then L's mom got on the phone and I was even more of a nervous wreck. She just kept telling me "Thank you for Loving my son". I thought that was the sweetest thing. We talked on the phone for a while and she insisted on me coming out there to visit them some time soon. We switched numbers and that is how our relationship began.
I would call and check on them at least once every two weeks to see how they were doing and to relay any messages to L or to them from L. It was very comforting to know that I had a relationship with his family. About two months after the first phone call from them, they asked if me and my daughter would come to see them for the weekend. L was excited when I told him that we would be traveling to see them. He couldn't wait. He kept saying that he knew they would love me. So we planned to to take the Amtrak train to visit them at the end of August 2010.
As we were getting off the train, I began to get the shakes. I was nervous about meeting his family not only face to face but also without him there to formally introduce us. We were on our own. It was a very different situation. But I was up for it and so was my daughter. We got off the train and we stood outside waiting with all the other passengers for a ride to pull up. I had no idea what L's parents looked like, so I was hoping that they could tell it was me. Lots of cars pulled up and pulled off and I was getting antsy. Finally his parents pulled up and his mom playfully yelled "Heyyyyy". They both got out of the car to greet us with hugs and kisses. it was like we were already family. I loved it. We got to the house and was greeted by his two sisters and his neice. They were very welcoming. Everyone wanted to see pictures of me and L and hear our story. They wanted to know how we met and how we were making this work. They kept telling me how beautiful me and my daughter are and how happy they are for him that he has found someone like me. I was very overwhelmed. Then L's little brother came in. Now L always calls his brother "twin". At that moment, I knew exactly why he called him twin. L's brother was a spitting image of him. He looked just like him except L's brother has a baby face since he is only 14 years old. I couldn't believe it. I just kept smiling and staring at him. We had dinner and drinks that night and we talked and talked and talked. My daughter enjoyed herself playing with his neice. They were only a year apart so they got along very well. The whole weekend I got to see old pictures of L and hear stories about him as a child. It was definately a cherishable moment. I loved every bit of it. L has a wonderful and loving family and I was glad they accepted me right into it with open arms.
My daughter didn't want to leave that sunday night. She actually cried. I had promised her that we would return again soon. And that is exactly what we did. We visit his family for the weekend at least once a month if not more. I talk to them at least once a week now and it has been great. I call his parents "mom and dad" and his sisters "sis". I call his brother twin just like he does. They accept me and my daughter as L's wife and daughter. They treat my daughter as their own grandaughter. I have been blessed that this worked out in our favor. They helped to take a awkward situation and make it a pleasant one and I love them for that. L loves the relationship that I have with his family. I love it too. I love that he gave me the oppritunity to get to know them by asking them to call me.
This is how I answer one of the main questions that are asked of me. People always wonder how we make this work. One of the reasons I tell them is the love that is around me gets me through. Not only do I have my best friends and my family supporting me and L's relationship, I have his family on our side as well. They keep me connected to him in a way that maybe some letters and phone calls can't. Going to visit them and spending time with them and hearing stories of L and meeting more and more of his family brings me closer to him then you could imagine. I love it.
Thank you for reading and sorry about the delay(smile)
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