There are all kinds of sayings that refer to the serendipitous meeting of people you know. Sayings like ” What a small world we live in” or “There are only six degrees of separation between people”. We’ve all found this to be true. My favorite (although a bit crass) is “Don’t piss anybody off because you never know when you will meet them again or someone who knows them”.
We have all heard examples of these stories. Stories like someone going on a safari in Africa and meeting up with people who live in the same home town.
My brother told me he was talking to a coworker he had worked with for 20 years. They were discussing what they were doing on holidays. The coworker mentioned that he and his wife were planning to attend a family reunion in a neighbouring province. My brother said, “What a coincidence – I was planning to do the same thing”. To make a long story short it turns out that the co-worker’s wife was a cousin of our family and both were attending the same reunion!
Why am I telling you this?
Because it happened to me. I booked a historic (of course) bed and breakfast on line for our trip to Kingston, Ontario. We made our way to the B&B at the appointed time and rang the doorbell. A man answered the door and the first words out of both our mouths (almost simultaneously) were “I know you”!
It turns out that he and his partner were customers of mine when I owned my antique shop! They moved to Ontario (3000 Kms away) and now run two bed and breakfasts (absolutely gorgeous homes) in Kingston called Abbey Manor and The Secret Garden. He even showed me a table that they had bought from me – it was in the dining room.
If you’re interested in checking out their web site here it is: http://www.abbeymanorinn.com/
The picture of the dining room I have posted is from this home (and the table I sold them is the back table – also under a tablecloth). You have to try their breakfasts!
So, let me repeat it! What a small world we live in!
Do you have any stories like these to share? I’d love to hear them!
Johanne Yakula 
What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively useful and it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & help other users like its helped me. Great job.
What a great story! As you know, my husband and I bought a restored historic home in Oxford North Carolina. Our “small world story” goes something like this………….
We decided to relocate to NC and expand on our business. We were given a great opportunity in NC so we decided to go for it! My love of homes & historic towns is shared by my husband and I have always wanted to own & run a B&B. We started our search in NC and VA and found a lovely property in a beautiful small town in NC. Though we did not end up buying it, we became good friends with the owners!
My first exposure to Oxford was at a Women’s Business Luncheon (that my B&B friend took me to) as her guest. Everyone at that luncheon was so genuine and welcoming!
I felt as if I had come home…………………..
To be continued…………..(:
Pam – Thank heavens so many of the historic homes throughout our neigbouring countries are B&B’s – that way we can pretend to live in these beautiful old homes – if only for a little while.