03/03/2024
Today I Met My Son For The First Time!
Yesterday I shared that I would be meeting my son for the first time in 49 years. I want to thank all of you for your prayers. We met in Jamestown, NY at Bob Evans Restuarant right off of Interstate 84, formerly known as the Southern Tier Expressway. It was about 1/2 the distance between Cleveland, OH and Hornell, NY.
I arrived at the restuarant first with great anticipation. I received a text at 11:53 from Marjoe stating he was in the hotel across the street with his wife Rebecca, and to let him know when I arrived. Our meeting was to be at 12. Those of you who know me, know I was already in the parking lot by that time. I texted him that I was there. He said he was on his way.
I walked back and forth looking at the entrance to the hotel behind the restuarant, to see the moment he came out of the building. After a few minutes of wondering why he was taking so long, I realized I was looking at the wrong hotel. He was at the hotel across the main street.
As I started walking toward the entrance of the restuarant, a car pulled up and he stepped out. Rebecca was driving the car.
Earlier that morning on my way to Jamestown my mother had told me, whatever you do, don't start crying. She said, you're like your brother Greg, real sensitive about certain things. She also asked me what was the first thing I was going to say. I told her, I'll figure that out when I get there.
When Marjoe stepped out of the car, he didn't have on a coat, because he was so nervous leaving the hotel, he forgot to put one on. I remember seeing the biggest smile on his face, and with life giving words that melted my heart, he loudly said, "Hello Dad." He continued smiling. I don't know what my facial expression was like, but I do know underneath my skin I felt an overwhelming sense of love and acceptance.
I don't remember how we closed the distance between each other. I guess we both kept walking, but it felt as though time had stopped as we embraced and hugged each other for a few minutes with both us saying thank you and being grateful for the moment. I confess that I could not take my mother's advice. The tears began welling up in my eyes and journeying down my cheeks. My son's heart was filled with emotions but he was able to maintain his composure far better than I was. I guess his military training kicked in.
Rebecca watched us embracing each other until we finally decided to go into the restuarant. She texted Marjoe, that she could feel the emotions we were sharing as she watched us. There were no words that I could have said, that would have conveyed the meaning of just having our arms wrapped around each other
Once inside the waitress came over, and after one look at us and she said, would you like to take some together before ordering. I guess my eyes were still somewhat watery. Of course we said yes.
We began our two hour and 15 minute conversation. We had 49 years of his life to cover and 67 of mine so we had to be selective in what we shared. Some of the parallels in our lives were amazing. We both played the same positions of wide receiver and safety on the football team. We both had our senior year of football cut short by an injury. We were both injured when the other team ran a sweep. We were both told we would never be able to play football again, only for both of us to go on and play college football.
We both have a high love for family. We both are afraid of heights and crossing high bridges. We both love investing ourselves into others to help make them successful. We both are just plain ordinary guys willing to talk and spend time with people from all walks of life. We both have the same set of teeth and are pigeoned toed. We both can talk. We both look first for the good in others. We both have an outward appearance that can be intimidating at first, yet behind that look is the heart of a servant.
Most important of all was that we both thought these two hours together were among the highlights of our lives. Thank you so much for those of you who prayed for us. God could not have blessed us with a better first meeting together. When I called my mother after the meeting and told her I cried, she responded, "I knew you were going to start crying when I told you not to."
In addition to sharing our history lineally, we also answered 20 questions to get to know the man behind the man. Here are those 20 questions for those of you who may need to get to know your parent/child a little better.
Twenty Father To Son Questions
1. What were three highlights in your life from any era?
2. What’s one thing you have always been afraid of?
3. What one statement did somebody make about you that stayed with you for life?
4. Who was your first girlfriend and when?
5. What did playing sports teach you?
6. How did you meet your wife?
7. What gift did you want for Christmas as a kid?
8. Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?
9. What was a shocking loss that you experienced?
10. What was one embarrassing moment in your life?
11. What hurt did you cause someone that you regretted?
12. What are your kids like?
13. What is your wife like?
14. What’s one goal you had dreamed of and almost achieved it but fell short?
15. Who was your childhood hero?
16. What’s the initial impression most people have about you?
17. What’s your love language, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, Physical Touch, Affirmation, Acts of Service
18. How do you want to be remembered at your funeral?
19. What hobby do you have?
20. What role has God played in your life?
