When we met for the first time....

 

I come from a rather large family -  I have seven siblings…I think that is considered large!  My mom’s side of the family is a bit smaller than my dad’s, but collectively my extended family is large and spread across the globe - England, Portugal, France, United States and that’s what I can remember of the top of my head.

I am more familiar with my dad’s side of the extended family because some of us keep in touch from time to time and even though we are not as close-knit as we should be, we check in from time to time.  And thank God for social media we have Facebook, Skype and even Wats App to help close the communication gaps. However, I have a few cousins whom I have heard off for as long as I can recall growing up but never met until my recent trip to London.

One of my objectives on this trip was to meet at least one of my cousins who I've never met. I felt that it was necessary to meet and connect with my cousins because you never know what life holds and I don’t want to have to say “OMG I should have made an effort to meet them” or “I wish I met such and such”. In London specifically, I have three cousins who I have met only through my aunt who visits often enough.



David with Ava Bear and Ashley and Peter...these dads don't play

So I finally met my cousin David and his family…and I have to say I really have some gorgeous family!  I was surprised by how much of the Collins features he had and he was astonished by how much I looked like a “younger version” of his mom.  His wife, Bethany, who is all of maybe five feet,  is one of the sweetest person I’ve ever met and don’t get me started on their two year old Eva…adorable personified!

I also had the pleasure of meeting my cousin’s fiancé Ashley, who is such an awesome guy and their son Peter who was all of three months at the time!  Peter is so adorable it is no joke, and at three months old he was a perfect gentleman!


Nambia and Peter, Penny (me) and Bethany and Ava Bear!

It felt so good to finally meet one of my three cuz, to just sit and hang out, share jokes and stories and exchange numbers was awesome!  Even though I was not able to meet Dashan and Peter due to work schedules and life commitments,  I'm sure we will meet on my next trip!