It could only happen to me.

This post should be filed away under crazy shit that only happens to me.  Things like being pulled out of the security line at the airport for having a tiny scrapbook hammer in my purse (long story) or having a bat hanging from the picture rail in my dining room.

But before I tell you what happened, I need to back up a little.

So, back in the Fall of 2001 my friends, Carrie and Suzanne, and our spouses took a trip to Aruba.  (Our OU/TX weekends had evolved into long weekend-mini vacations you see.)  For three blissful days, we snorkeled, swam, and soaked up the sun.  The girls did some serious shopping – #1 because we love to shop and #2 because my luggage was somewhere over Japan instead of with me  in paradise (another long story).  The guys played golf and acted like 12 year-olds on the waterslide at the pool.  Also, since Tripp and I were veteran lake go-ers, we talked the rest of the group into riding the giant water raft being pulled behind a boat just offshore.  It was hilarious the six of us trying to all get on the “ski slob.”  Just about the time we were all on, someone would fall off and then we’d all start laughing and then we’d all fall off.

That trip was so much fun.

One the last day, Carrie, Suzanne, and I decided to relax in water with our floaty mats and cocktails.  Once we got in the water, we locked our ankles together and made a circle.  We talked and laughed, trying not to think about the fact that it was our last day together.

It was a wonderful trip…so of course I had to scrapbook it.

OK.  Now fast forward to August 2008.  Tripp was watching the Travel Channel one brutally hot afternoon and dreaming of places we could go to escape the heat.  I walked in the living room to join him and avoid the  house work that needed to be done.  The show he was watching was called 10 Best Beaches and it was highlighting amazing places such as Virgin Gorda and Barbados.  I watched the show with Tripp for about 30 minutes, and then just as I got up to go get the clothes out of the dryer I saw this-

I started screaming, “Oh my God!  Oh my God! That’s us!  Oh my God!!  Wait!  Where’s my camera?  Oh my God!  Tripp, where is your phone??!!!” 

I was still screaming when I called Carrie and Suzanne and told them to turn on their TV’s. 

It was like an episode of the “Twilight Zone” watching my memories played out on TV like that.  And it made me so grateful for my friends and all the fun experiences we’ve shared.

I am so excited because tomorrow we are heading St. John for a week-long vacation.  I’m looking forward to spending time with my family and my dear friends and visiting some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to quit reminiscing and finish packing!!

Cheers!  Kelly