I don't know you if you won't know me

It's been a long time coming. Almost 25 years in fact.

For reasons I won't go in to here (because it's none of your business), I saw very little of my father's family as I grew up. Up until I was about 7 I saw them all the time but then something happened and that was it, no more. It's such a shame that I have very few memories of any of them but that's that I suppose.

My father's father passed away in 1993 so my dad and I went to the funeral. We were largely ignored and only a few bothered to say hello. None of them stick out in my mind as I wouldn't have remembered who they were anyway.

Jump forward to 2005 and my cousin Sally turns up out of the blue. She always loved my father (her uncle) and finally tracked us down. My father was really made up as he loved her too. She was one of the few who spoke to him at the funeral by the way.

I remember Sal from when I was younger. Only a few memories but never mind. In the last year she's been around quite a lot, in fact she's been like how a cousin should.

She's been saying for ages she'd take me to meet them all and I kept putting it off until this week I decided enough was enough and I wanted to see my family. I've missed out on so much which can never be replaced. Not just family get-togethers etc but just knowing I've got cousins and family around me.

Anyway, we arranged it for tonight.

And tonight I got reaquainted with Aunts Val and Carol (my dad's sisters) and cousins Robbie, Tony and John as well as their respective kids. And I loved it.

Loved it.

They all welcomed me back, it was amazing. I only had 2 hours with them as I was working for The Wave tonight (hear that Carl?) but I'm definately going to spend more time with them. It'll be nice to take Alyssa there too.

Amazing. I was with my cousins tonight. All 4 of them. I've never been able to say that before.

Porthcawl has never looked so good!