How to create a single object from multiple object/line vectors?
I was wondering how one would create a single object vector from a combination of object and line vectors. For example, I made a word from this combination (cursive so the world contains object vectors for the letters and line vectors for the connections due to it being cursive) and am unable to use options such as pathfinder.

When using pathfinder, this is the failed result:

What would be the process of making this into one vector that can then be manipulated with outlines, color changes, etc...?
