Chance meetings at FMCA conventions resulted in some remarkable discoveries.
By Gillian Raye, F481952
September/October 2024
We’ve all experienced “it’s a small world” meetings, but we’re finding they seem to happen more often in the RV world, especially at FMCA conventions. As new full-timers, Steve and I looked forward to attending FMCA international conventions in our newly purchased fifth-wheel.
At the Perry, Georgia, convention in March 2023, we met a very nice couple from Florida who both grew up in Sussex County where we lived in New Jersey. We thought, “What a small world.” Little did we know then. This was just an introduction to explain why we were sitting at a specific table during the first morning of coffee hour at the convention in Gillette, Wyoming, in August 2023. This is where tears were shed when we met another couple.
As we enjoyed sitting with our friends from Florida and catching up, another couple sitting directly across from us at the same table stood up to leave. Steve, with his sense of humor, said, “You are leaving. Was it something I said?” The woman jokingly replied, “As a matter of fact, it is.” This concerned Steve, because he never wants anyone to not enjoy the conventions. It turns out that she had attended one of Steve’s seminars the day before and had a question.
After that was answered, we all started talking, and we found out that she and I had a lot in common. She left the men’s conversation and came over to talk to me so we could hear each other better. We learned we both are from New Jersey, had worked in education, and had been actively involved with the New Jersey Education Association. Her name was Ludi. As we continued to talk, she mentioned she had gone to school at Trenton State College, and I made a mental note to ask if she knew Steve’s sister, who had also attended Trenton State College and had become a teacher.
Later in the conversation, Ludi mentioned that while she was in college, she had visited her college roommate in rural Sussex, and she said it was very different from the urban area of her hometown. Out of curiosity, thinking the family might still live in the area, I asked her what her roommate’s name was. Later, she revealed to me that she thought this was an odd question, but her answer is the reason I’m writing this. She said her roommate was Roni Raye. Roni was Steve’s sister and had passed away in 1980.
At this point, Ludi said I got a strange look on my face as I turned to Steve and said, “I wouldn’t normally interrupt you, but this is important.” When Steve looked at me, I said, “Steve, what was Roni’s junior year roommate’s name?” At this time Steve moved closer to our conversation. He told me that Roni had a few roommates, but once he heard Ludi’s name, there was a moment of silence.
Then Steve said, “I have to sit down for this.” Ludi had a look of confusion on her face and asked what Steve’s relationship was with Roni. With tears in his eyes, he simply said, “She was my sister.” We all got chills.
What are the chances that during an FMCA event in Gillette, Wyoming, Ludi would meet the brother of someone she had roomed with in college 54 years before — someone who had become her best friend and who had a great impact on her life.
In this 1969 photo, Ludi (left) hangs out with her roommate, Roni.
We ultimately realized there were a lot of reasons we almost didn’t meet. Ludi and her husband, Al, were about to embark on a six-week trip, and Al did not want to go to Gillette that year. Ludi told him that she thought they should go, and that it would be a great way to kick off their six-week trip. So, they decided to attend. At the event, Al’s question arose: “Do we have to go for coffee this morning?” Ludi’s answer: “Yes, it is part of the convention. You know, free coffee and doughnuts. And the entertainment.”
At the same time, Steve was questioning me: “Are you ready for coffee and doughnuts? Do you think we can get hot chocolate like we did last time?” I assured him we could ask, and I said, “Let’s go. We are supposed to meet friends soon.”
Once the shock and tears subsided during that coffee hour encounter in Wyoming, we were able to comprehend what had just happened. All the stars aligned, and the timing of everything was perfect. Steve had continued in the RV business his dad started; he accepted a position as an FMCA RV Basics instructor; and he and I did go for coffee that morning. Al and Ludi did attend the convention in Gillette; they did go for morning coffee hour; and they sat at the perfect table. Steve and I also sat at the perfect table, and Steve’s sometimes questionable sense of humor came out at the right time.
All this resulted in people who had not seen each other for 54 years being reunited. Recalling the last time Ludi and Steve met, being the little brother, he was expected to do something annoying, so he accommodated the expectation. He sang “Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)” by John Fred & His Playboy Band. He justified it because Judy and Ludi sounded close enough. Yup, something a little brother would do.
Just think: What if we weren’t sitting at the same table and what if Steve hadn’t said something, or what if Ludi hadn’t taken Steve’s seminar (twice). For the next few days, we kept bumping into each other, and we made plans to go out for dinner and get to know each other better. Over 50 years after Ludi and Roni were roommates, the stars aligned, and we all decided we were meant to meet each other. Now, we have friends for life with a special connection.
Ludi journals everything and mentioned that she had a picture of Roni and her that she was excited to share with us. That made us happy. At that time, Al chimed in and pointed out that the picture was at home and they had just started their trip. “It’s going to be a long six weeks,” he said.