On Thursday evening, January 17th, I (Wallace) got an email in my personal email that basically said, “hi, you’re my half brother, let’s meet up.” It was about 9:00 and Karen was already in bed. I thought to myself, “yeah right Nigerian Prince, you’re not gonna get me.” I deleted the email. All the next day at school, I was feeling bad, thinking “what if…”. Not only was I thinking “what if…”, I was wondering what the hell is going on. I struggled with what to do, so I texted my mom (Terry) and asked her if she had a long lost son out there somewhere. She denied it, and blamed my dad. She said, “nobody knows what he was up to in 1962.”
When I got home from school I checked the 23 and me website and saw that there was a half brother connection, but it was on the maternal side. I talked more with my mom about it, trying to figure out the story, and we finally came to the realization that Steve is my Aunt Cathie’s long lost son. I was freaking out, trying to figure out how to approach her and give her the news. My mom and I discussed it and she told me that she would do it, thank God.
Looking at the 23 and me half brother notification, I started to feel like a real jerk. Steve had attempted to contact me back in October, but I had not checked the account, so didn’t see it. I felt (feel) guilty because had I checked it we could have connected three months earlier and he could have been involved with our family during the holidays.
I have to admit to Facebook stalking him and his photo section. Some of the photos I saw could be my twin brother, and some could have been my Uncle Kevin’s twin brother. I knew for sure when I saw the pictures that Steven fits in with our family. I emailed him back and we all agreed to meet for lunch on Sunday. It was a great lunch, but I was very nervous, too nervous to eat. We ordered the exact same lunch, by the way. It was surreal. It was like eating with somebody I have known my whole life, but had just met, if that makes sense. His mannerisms, his gestures, his laugh and voice were all so familiar.
The lunch went great and I gave him Aunt Cathie’s phone number. Steve called later that night to tell me he called her and it went wonderful. He told me that they were going to meet up on Monday. Karen and I volunteered to have dinner at our house because it is more private and we would not be rushed. Aunt Cathie and Uncle Bill arrived first, she was nervous, giddy and excited. Steve and Patty arrived and he was carrying two huge growlers of beer. He was prepared. lol. When he walked in the door, Cathie ran to him, grabbed him by the ears, and kissed him right on the lips. The night started off on a good note and only got better from there. Steve is for sure part of this family and I’m looking forward to spending time and getting to know him and his family better.
Welcome to the family.
Well…Wally has made mention of my small part in this fantastic reunion (way to simple description). Later in the day that Karen and Wally had lunch with Cathie, Bill, Steven and Patty I had dinner with Wally and Karen. Wally told me that Steven had initially assumed I was his mother. This past Christmas he had sent me a Christmas card with a letter and pictures. Since Woody died I have not done Christmas cards but this year I did not throw away the Cards I received. I put them in a stack without looking at them.
When I got back home that evening Jozzy helped me go through my stack of cards. She found the card sent to me by Steven Banner. My emotions were all over the place. I was ashamed. I felt selfish. I had cheated everyone out of an amazing opportunity by only thinking of myself. We all missed out on the opportunity to have known Steven, his wife Patty and their two sons before the holidays of 2018. What a Christmas gift that would have been for everyone, especially for My big sister and her son that she was told had died.
There are so many opportunities ahead for all of us and we will definitely take advantage of each one.