What’s up with Psychology?

So, you probably think that Vincent’s and my interest in Psychology was “written in the stars” or “pre-approved” for us, but I think we like to think [I look over at Vincent and he nods] that deep down from the time we were both young, our minds worked differently and thus a spark of interest in psychology bloomed. [Looking over at Vincent, he skims through my sentence and winces.] Vincent typing: It’s like she enjoys run-on sentences. She does the same things in her research papers she writes for my class. Anyway, that is far from the truth, at least for me. 

When I was a Junior in high school, my science teacher had a whole unit on the brain and part of the lessons were about thinking like other people. I thought everyone imagined what other people’s lives were like,  until that day. When she said it was a special trait to be constantly considering what others were thinking, experiencing, and enduring, I knew I had to find out more and even possibly study it for myself. [Vincent wrapped his arm around my shoulders and started to rub his thumb against my shoulder. I looked up at him and he smiles over at me, nodding for me to continue.] 

Passing the computer to Vincent… 

My journey to the study of psychology was more centered around the developing brain. As a freshman in college, I took my first psychology course and knew from that moment forward I needed to learn more about the brain and human reasoning. I think my study really flourished from my upbringing – having controlling parents really affects the brain and your ability to process cognitively. I was adopted by my parents when I was young, but from that moment forward, they thought for me, fought my battles, and had high expectations for my scholastic studies. I honestly had no idea I would find Jane studying the same subject matter, but I guess two like minds think alike. [Jane leans over and kisses my cheek, nuzzling her nose into my sideburn.]

Passing the computer back to Jane… 

So, that’s why psychology for each of us, just thought we’d clear that up since it seems all too “easy”. But, really we didn’t plan it and as far as I’m aware, nobody else had either. [Vincent taps his watch and I roll my eyes.] Time to head back to campus! 

Jane and Vincent 

How things happened… Jane’s Adoption

It’s me again… just me… [I look up at Vincent who is tapping a pencil on the edge of his desk as he’s scanning someone’s Psychology paper.] again…

So, I finally got him to confess that he agreed to creating a blog because he thought it would be good “introspective” time for me… what a professor. [I say “Professor” out loud just because I know it bothers him. Vincent looks up at me from the tops of his reading glasses and narrows his eyes.] So, back to my post, he thought I should talk about my adoption. 

My adolescent life, what I remember, was very simple. Until I was nine, I lived with other foster children in a shelter up in the Ozark mountains. I think my parents and I tried to wipe that experience from my mind because until I met Vincent and took a trip to visit the shelter, I didn’t remember anything from that time in my life. [I looked up at Vincent, who was still absorbed in the paper he was grading.] However, driving up to the house and seeing Marida, the shelter mom, brought back memories I had tucked away. I honestly think my Mom tried to bury them to prevent me from feeling as though I didn’t belong in the family. 

So, at age nine and completely freaked out, I was transported from the shelter to my Parent’s home. It was some time before I was ready to really join their family. But, just a few months later, Elixabeth came along and the pressure was on to connect with them. Although, we fought for many years, our interests changed and we weren’t so invested in annoying the other. Also, Elixabeth got an iPad when she was five, so YouTube became her new obsession and the only time she really annoyed me was when she found out she could send me videos… [Insert actual eye roll here…] I’ve never seen so many “Funny Cat” videos in all my life. Oh, and you better believe she checked that you watched every minute of it by talking about every single one and asking which was your “favorite”. I digress… 

For many years it was just the four of us. My Mom and Dad… look at their cute couples’ shot from when they got engaged. [Vincent looks up at me and I realize I’ve been staring at their picture for the past few minutes. He gulps and shrugs his shoulders. “I’m fine, just looking at my parents.” Vincent smirks and returns to the paper he’s grading.] They were married for about seven years before they adopted me. Dad called that time their, “Honeymoon. All seven years of it!” Although, I think my Dad controls the house a little too much, they do love each other and I know behind closed doors Mom lets him have it when she needs to.  She’s respectful, but I know she’s got some spice in her, too… 

The boys… well, they’re boys. We were all so excited when we found out that we were going to have twins in our family. On the other hand, we weren’t so excited about twelve weeks later when we found out they were both boys and then even later to top it off, identical. [Vincent put down the paper he was grading and came over to my side. “How much more do you have left? I am starving!” I turn to him and smile, winking instead of replying. He shakes his head and wraps his arm around my shoulders.] No matter how annoying they are or how crazy they act, we know they belong to us because they’re so similar to my Dad. I think he’s proud that they’re so much like him and so, he spoils them rotten. Since they’ve been sleeping in their own beds, he’s tucked them in and read them stories about dinosaurs and dump trucks. 

Although, I never felt like I was super attached to my family, I miss them. I miss waking up on Saturday morning with the boys running around and Elixabeth helping Mom make chocolate chip pancakes. I miss my family home life where you sit down in the living room and watch t.v. regardless if it’s cartoons or not. However, I think Vincent has tried to help give me a place similar to that by opening up his home for me. [Vincent typing: Technically it’s her home, too. So, I’m just giving her back the key.] Anyway, it’s been nice to have a place to escape when college begins to get too real. 

Jane & (One line: Vincent)

Welcome to our site!

Hi there – Vincent and I are so excited that you joined us on our site!

If you want to learn a little bit about us, we’re happy to share. 🙂 (Vincent hates emoji’s, so you know this is me typing and him sitting next to me rolling his eyes…)

Jane Bougher

I am a college freshman and just moved out of my parent’s home and into a dorm with Gabby… eek! I have successfully escaped my high school life (Vincent typing: She can’t escape it, but is making great strides at putting it behind her) [Jane turns to Vincent and sneers, “Putting it behind me?” He shakes his head, “It’s better than saying you’ll get over it.”] and I’m starting over in College one Oreo and organic Wheat Thin at a time.

Now that I met Vincent, I’m learning to love flashes, especially since I’m catching up to him in what he remembers from our previous lives (Vincent typing: She’s remembering, but we’ve got a few hundred years of lives she has to relive before she can say she’s all caught up) [Jane – eye roll]. Fine, I’m not on your tail or anything, but at least I’m not freaking out when they happen anymore – ligit progress.

Although, I know there is so much more I have to learn and a bunch of things I will want to forget, I know there’s a reason as to why he and I can do what we do.

Vincent Drake

I am the newest professor in the psychology department. My background is somewhat different from Jane’s, even though we are connected to each other. (Jane typing – We’re not like siamese twins… We’re not literally connected, that would be awkward…) [Vincent – takes a deep breath, turning to Jane “Can we just finish this? I’ve got class…” Jane bugs her eyes out, “You got to interrupt mine.”]

I am a Phoenix and for as long as I can remember I’ve been able to transform and protect those closest to me. The last time I transformed into a Phoenix, Jane and I were both killed. (Jane typing – Awesome…. really awesome, Vincent 😐) [Vincent – “They were going to kill you…” Jane shrugs and sits back against the couch, her arms crossed.] While I was reborn almost instantly, Jane couldn’t return so quickly since her soul has to be reborn into a new body.

I’ve known about her for as long as I could remember, since I was born with the ability to flash, but finding her has always been the challenge. After being adopted, I lived in South Carolina with my new family, but I knew I needed to find my way back to Arkansas in hopes Jane would end up there, too.

We welcome you to circle back every few days and see what else we’ve discovered and learn more about our lives together.