Frank Saracina and Julie Saracina
Recorded
July 24, 2023
Archived
July 24, 2023
37:33 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
mby022922
Description
Julie Saracina (50) speaks with her husband, Frank Saracina (60), about her journey trying to connect and build a relationship with her stepdaughter.Subject Log / Time Code
Frank Saracina (F) and Julie Saracina (J) reflect on receiving the news that his daughter, her stepdaughter, was pregnant.
F and J recall how they first met. They remember how F brought pictures of his daughter with him.
F and J remember their courtship.
J describes what it was like meeting Lydia for the first time.
J recalls a time when Lydia asked her if she loved F. They consider that Lydia was possibly worried about F ending up alone.
J says she muddled through being a stepparent despite being very invested. J reflects on how she approached the role of stepmother.
J and F think back to what it was like trying to connect with Lydia during her teenage years.
J describes a "big win" she had with Lydia.
J adds that she and F had a son and Lydia enjoyed spending time with him.
J says more about what it was like being a part of Lydia's life as she graduated college and continued to grow up.
J reflects on how she had to adapt her expectations of what having a relationship with someone looked like.
J shares that Lydia became sick, and she and her husband moved back to Michigan. She remembers what her and Lydia's relationship was like during the COVID-19 pandemic, the period during which they were closest. F shares his favorite memories from that time.
J shares whether or not she ever felt like giving up on trying to develop a relationship with Lydia.
J says, "I had to be a parent and not a stepparent. I had to be loving and not expect anything in return." She talks about writing Lydia a letter every week.
J reflects again on the news of becoming a soon-to-be grandfather.
F and J share some closing thoughts.
Participants
- Frank Saracina
- Julie Saracina