Every year around our anniversary, my wife and I try to take a vacation somewhere fun. This year, we decided on St. Thomas. For me, it was a trip back home and, for Dorothy, a chance to see where I grew up.

I had not been to St. Thomas since my mother took us all there on a cruise in 2006. Even then, the trip was so rushed. This was a chance to take my time and be a tourist in one of my home cities.

Arriving in St. Thomas. (Click to see full size images.)

Welcome to St. Thomas!

Meet My Cousin Calvin!

So this was surreal…

Our rental car company sent someone to pick us up from the airport. As he is driving us, he turns and says to me, “where did you get your title?”

“Do you mean my name? I got it from my father. He is from St. Kitts,” I replied.

“I’m from St. Kitts,” he says casually.

“Really? Well, they called my father Teacher Lloyd in St. Kitts.:

“Teacher Lloyd is my uncle,” he says.

“Huh? How is that possible?!” I’m sure this guy is pulling my leg.

“My mother is his sister.”

“Stop it!” I can’t believe this. “Turn around so I can take your picture and send it to my father.

That’s how we got this photo, and my father verified his story. The guy who randomly picked us up from the airport is a cousin whom I never met before! Small world!

We made it!