Being under quarantine has us doing things differently. We’re putting off parties, ordering more goods online, and staying at home far more than many of us ever had. So, the presumption for a majority of people would be that getting the opportunity to meet new people would be a very rare experience right now. That said, I think many of us have put off the idea of getting to make new friends or going out on dates with someone new.
Although, things were different for two sets of Los Angeles neighbors. Kjetil and Zoe Njoten, along with their 10-year-old son, have lived in their current home for quite some time. Four houses down lives another family consisting of couple Erik and Jen Strom, who have a 4-year-old daughter. Rarely did the two sets of neighbors interact with one another, that is, until their neighborhood had a spontaneous get-together this month that followed social distancing guidelines. After they got to talking at the gathering, things got crazy.
Upon talking, it turned out that the neighbors share the same Norwegian roots. Who would have known?! Not the Njotens nor the Stroms!
But the truth was revealed when the Stroms learned that Kjetil Njoten was born on Njoten Island in Norway, an island which only houses a few dozen people. The town Mr. Njoten grew up in just so happened to be a couple of hours away from where Jen Strom’s family came from. Erik’s family is also from the country.
“Wouldn’t it be even crazier if we were somehow related?!” Erik joked after learning such information.
Then he reached out his mother, who checked their family history book that contains information back to the 1700s. It turns out, Erik’s great-great-grandfather’s last name was Njoten. Passing the information back to Kjetil, it was confirmed that they have the same great-great-grandfather.
“Me and Jen were just squealing and jumping around and all of us were beaming with smiles and desperate to hug but can’t,” Zoe admitted.
Due to the exciting discovery, Jen Strom is planning an eventual large gathering to celebrate and bond with their newfound family. And, yes, delicious Norweigian food will be served!
Even the Njotens’ 10-year-old son is thrilled to learn he has new family members.
“My son is so excited that he’s got a new cousin on the street to play with, eventually,” Zoe said.
This is such a crazy coincidence. I wonder how many of us have interacted with someone we’re related to without even knowing it. It really makes you think!
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