We Were Set Up By Two Dead People.

Definitely up to no good.

They conspired to set us up. My Mother and her brother, who are both deceased, intervened, worked some sort of “other side” magic, and changed our lives forever.

To understand the impact of this story, I need to tell you just a little slice of my family history, involving myself and my cousin, Serina.

Serina’s father was my Mother’s brother. They both left us way too early – my Mother to cancer when I was 15 and her father to suicide when she was 8. Heavy stuff.

We didn’t grow up with each other, with the exception of when I was about 2 yrs old. I was removed from my parents care and thankfully, my aunt and uncle took me in. I only lived there for a little over a year, before my oldest sister (she’s 14 yrs older than me) moved me in with her and her husband.

Serina and I only saw each other on two other occasions after I left her home. The first time, we were around the age of 10. I remember vividly, stuffing little pieces of paper in to the holes on top of the cassette tape, so that she and I could record ourselves talking and singing. I still chuckle, every time I hear, “Got a little change in my pocket goin’ jinga linga ling” on the radio because for some strange reason, that was one of our songs of choice.

Serina and I circa ’98

The only other time, was when my grandfather died. We were around 18. We clicked instantly again. People might have thought we were best friends or perhaps sisters because we look so freakishly alike. From there, we lost contact again. She lived in Florida and I in New York. There was just too much space and time in between us.

And then there was MySpace. It was 2006 and I was jumping on the virtual bandwagon. One day I came across my cousin, Serina. Awesome! We chatted it up and were stoked about being able to keep in closer contact. Then a few weeks later, she responded to one of my posts about getting married in Jamaica.

Turns out, she was getting married in Jamaica! TWO DAYS after I was. It gets better. We were at the same freakin’ resort! How does that happen?? Of all the tropical places to go and of all the resorts to choose from, we end up at the same place, at the same time — both for a runaway wedding/honeymoon. Unbelievable.

Reunited in Jamaica.

We couldn’t believe this to be a coincidence. We never will. Some may say I’m crazy but I truly believe our parents brought us together. They knew how much we needed each other in our lives, because of their absence.

Serina still lives in Florida and I in New York. We have talked on the phone at least once a month (usually once a week) since we met up in Jamaica, six years ago. I honestly don’t know what I would do with out her phone therapy, small talk and big laugh.

We get each other because we know where we come from. We both battle with depression and anxiety and a family history that is a huge part of all that. Even though our lives have played out far apart from each other, they are incredibly parallel.

And so…I’m going on another road trip people! It will look much, much different than my drive across- country with my girlfriends. This time, I will be driving from New York to Florida with my sister, her adult daughter and my two young kids. Shit’s about to get real.

I can’t wait. The drive has me nervous but it’s worth it for the chance to visit Serina and her family. This is not just any cousin. This girl — was put in my life by no accident. Us reuniting, strickly “by chance”, confirmed my belief that sometimes, “someone else” is tugging a little on our strings from above. Be it God, our deceased loved ones…I don’t know, but it happened people. And I am so grateful it did!

Have you ever been reconnected with someone or had something happen in your life, that made you question your ideas on fate? Do you have any suggestions on how to survive a two day (22 hr total!) road trip with a 5 yr old and almost 2 yrs old!!!!!