I don’t know how to put into words what a fun, strange, wacky, emotional and unbelievable 48 hours these have been – especially for Ted, but for me also.
A few months ago, when all the research and DNA testing came together and Ted realized he really did have living blood relatives beside Julie, Jordan and Matthew, those relatives all existed in a hazy, almost other-worldly place “out there” somewhere. We knew Ted’s birth mother’s family on paper and then from phone visits, emails and texts, and finally from packages that began to arrive in the mail with photos and family records.
On Monday, that hazy other-worldly place turned into flesh and blood in the form of Linda and Mike – two very real, warm, laughing, chatting, and filled-with-stories first cousins (one by blood, one by marriage). We’ve talked into the nights, laughed, and shed a few tears. We’ve been amazed at similarities between Ted and Linda (and between Ted and other cousins – according to Linda). In photographs we’ve seen of some of the Lachmann men (cousins and uncles), it’s like looking at photos of Ted – the resemblance is striking.
Besides talking about family histories, we also tried to show Linda and Mike some of “our” Mackinac. They’d both been to the island before, but only on day trips. We quickly learned they’d spent most of their island time downtown, so we set out to acquaint them with a little broader look at Mackinac.
While we were waiting to catch a carriage tour, we discovered that one of Linda and Mike’s passions is geo-caching. They had loaded the coordinates of several caches into their phones before making the trip, and they found one just outside the Market Street Inn.
Mike and Linda writing in their geo-caching names before returning the papers back where they found them.
Cousins – with Fort Mackinac in the background.
We had a great private carriage tour set up by Joe Plaza (special thanks to Blake, our tour guide and driver). The tour included many special spots on Mackinac – like Fort Holmes . . .
. . . Lookout Point (overlooking Sugar Loaf) . . .
the Village, the cemeteries, Skull Cave, and the East and West Bluffs.
We ended our tour at Grand Hotel for lunch, and for a little rest in the rocking chairs on their famous front porch!
Heading back to town and the condo for a little down time!
Wednesday morning came way too soon, and we were back at Shepler’s . . . .
. . . and waving goodbye.
We have more of this newly found family coming on a daytrip on Saturday and two more cousins coming for a visit in September. Mike and Linda (and other family members) winter in Florida (on the west coast), so I’m sure there are going to be other family visits when we return home.
A very special and loving thank you, Linda and Mike, for your warm welcome of Ted and me into the Lachmann clan. We can’t wait to spend more time with you (and other family members) in the future. Love and hugs coming your way!
God bless.
This is such a great story…all kinds of emotions going on and I’m feeling some of those with you! Did I tell you how happy I am for you Ted? 🙂
How wonderful! I’m so glad this has all happened and that there is so much to look forward too.
What a great story! Am so glad for all of you. And…..lovely pictures as usual. Looks like a great time was had by all1
What a wonderful story! I have 33 first cousins and saw some of them at a family picnic on Sunday. We had our two granddaughters with us and they had a hard time ubderstanding how I could have so many cousins-they have 4! I can’t imagine not having known my cousins as we celebrated each person’s birthday growing up. Sometimes that meant 3 separate parties in a week!! We are not as close now as everyone has their own extended family. So I know you and Ted will be making lots of memories-even though it’s many years later! Have fun!!
Don’t think I could be happier for Ted, but wait, there’s more! What an exciting summer you’re having – first grands and then a whole new family. Amazing!
I have to say that no grass has grown under our feet the first 3 1/2 weeks of our stay, Barb. It’s been amazing!
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Tears of joy & so much emotion as I read this ♡♡. Thrilled for you and especially Ted.
On the flip side, I want to check out this geocaching 😉
Received a little something from everyone today!
Gail
How great to spend time with family. Enjoy every minute.
What a beautiful story!. I am so happy for Ted and your entire family.
Lindie here…. reading your blog and seeing the photos makes my heart swell with emotion all over again. As soon as I saw you both on the dock as we drove up I knew immediately we were family!! Many years have gone by without us knowing one another but we will make up for lost time. And Brenda…. as you already know, you are one of us. Thanks again for an amazing 2 1/2 days getting to know you. Your warmth and kindness are above measure. Strangers became family in about a nano-second of time…. can’t wait to meet your boys, Julie and grandchildren. Until we meet again…. God bless (tears of joy!)
Well, Lindie, you’ve made me cry right off the bat this morning. Happy tears though. It’s been an emotional journey, but oh my goodness the rewards have been worth every minute of it. Loving the connections we all made this week and looking forward to all the connections to come. We love you both and pray we all have many more years to share together.
Your “sis”,
Brenda.
How wonderful for Ted and his family. I yelled “hello” to Ted on Wednesday as we rode our bikes around the island. I’m sorry I never saw you Bree. Our day trip was nice but way too short for me. It was a hot one too!
Hi Karen! Sorry I missed you! We’re looking at a puppy from a breeder in Niles!
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Let me know if you come to town.
Fantastic! Thank you for sharing.