Leslie

I have intentionally put off blogging about the following subject to give everyone involved their due respect and privacy. But I know that all of you have been waiting for this post and the time has come! I am excited to finally share the story of Leslie. Not that this is a secret around the house - it is pretty much all we have been talking about for months!

Peggy has shared with many of you that a couple of years before the birth of Eric, she had a daughter that she gave up for adoption. To make a very long story short, 6 months ago a detective that we hired found her. Her name is Leslie and she currently lives in Rhode Island.

Leslie and Peggy have been communicating by letter and email. On Tuesday, Leslie and her husband Stuart arrived in Honolulu. They planned a trip here specifically to meet Peggy (and Eric too). Eric and I had a lovely dinner with them Tuesday night. Eric told Leslie that he has always wanted a sister. It was really amazing to see them meet for the first time.

On Wednesday, Leslie came to the house and met Peggy for the first time since she was adopted 38 years ago. We had Marvel on shift which made communication go very well. All I can say is that seeing Leslie and Peggy meet and make eye contact for the first time brought tears to all of our eyes. It was such a special moment. I swear I could feel Peggy's heart about to burst.

They spent the day talking and learning about each other. Leslie got the chance to meet some of the Peg's Legs, Elroy, Jason...Yesterday Eric and his friend Chance took Leslie and Stuart canoe surfing at Kaimana. They had such a great time!

Then last night we had dinner here at the house. Leslie and Stuart came, Jason brought the girls, Marilyn came by, my mom and dad came, Rhea and KC stopped by (Rhea was instrumental in finding Leslie and was the one who actually spoke with her before any of the family did) - it was so much fun! Lolo was on shift (she took the great photo above). Indy, Jade, Sawyer, and Cian ran around the house like crazy spider monkeys...it was a fun and full house - Leslie asked if it was always like this and we were like, "are you kidding? This is a mellow Chun gathering! We're trying to break you in easy! We're not even in costume tonight!"

As I write this, I feel like I'm not doing a good job of expressing how momentous, amazing and magical this whole thing is. I think it really hit me when Eric and Leslie stood on opposite sides of Peggy's chair for a photo. There they were, Peggy's TWO children. Wow.

But beyond that...Leslie is just so cool! She and Stuart are the nicest people and they just fit right in. It is as if we have known them forever. It is so nice to be past the initial nervousness and the anticipation of the unknown...into a more relaxed, having fun and "getting to know you" place. Leslie is coming by to share some photos with Peggy today and we are planning some more beach time this weekend.

It has just been such a joy to meet Leslie and Stuart. We have all been anticipating this moment and I want to assure all of you that it has all worked out better than we could have ever imagined. Peggy is happier than I have seen her in a long time. And maybe "happier" is the wrong word...she just seems calmer...more AT PEACE. It's a beautiful thing.