Family Ties

Okay so here is the low down. My dad was married before he married my mom and had a son, Dan, with his first wife. Then, he married my mom and had me and then my little brother, Brian. Before Brian was born, Dan and I met when I was around one or two years old. Then, he moved out west with his mom, and we lost all communication up until about two years ago.
So, for the past two years, Dan and I have been talking on and off catching up on each others lives. I learned that he now has three children, the oldest of whom is named after me. (Grace Allyse) His other two children are Matthew Colten and Christopher Jayden. I couldn't believe that I was actually an aunt to three such beautiful children. I only wish I was in their life more. You see, Dan and his family currently live in Arizona. Also, I have never really met them before, at least not at a time that I actually remember. I regret this more than anything.
Ever since I found out about Dan, I was always curious. And I didn't really understand completely until a few years ago. Did he hate me for taking his dad away? Did he even care about me? Did he even consider me his sister? I had so many insecurities. I was so curious and wanted him to like me. Then, we began talking and I soon realized that we had the same insecurities. We both wanted each other in each other's lives. He wanted a little sister, and I wanted a big brother. I had never been so happy when I heard this. My entire life I wished that I had an older sibling and in a matter of minutes I gained one, along with a sister-in-law, a niece and two nephews.
I am just so glad to have Dan in my life. I have always known that he was out there and always wondered what he was like. Now, I know. I tried to fill the position of a big brother with my older cousin and he is amazing to me but it wasn't the same because I knew that I had a real brother out there somewhere that I didn't know. Life has been pretty rough lately, and getting to know Dan and his family has made me so much more optimistic and happy lately. Dan is an amazing man, and I am more than lucky to be related to him. I can only hope that we continue on this path to an amazing brother/sister relationship. I will not allow myself to lose contact with him again. I want him to be a part of the rest of my life. (I love you, Dan.)
I am even more excited for this summer, and hopefully I will be able to finally meet him again as well as the rest of my family.

Thanks for reading.