My husband and I came to St. John almost 10 years ago by way of the British Virgin Islands. Growing up my family sailed the BVI…when I met my husband, his family did too! It was a significant coincidence being a fairly unique type of vacation. Over the years we have had a number of trips with our families, touring the islands. During one, very special, trip we got engaged at the top of Norman Island! During the planning of our wedding we knew it had to be in the islands. We targeted the BVI but after factoring in logistics, international travel and the number of guests, that idea was becoming difficult to bring to life. That is when St. John really entered our lives.
My husband’s parents had been traveling the Caribbean, the BVI and USVI islands for many years. From work back in the states they were connected with a customer that had a residence on St. John. They started visiting the island more and more, including it in their sailing charters and suggested we explore a wedding on the island!
We began planning right away and it really came together beautifully! Taking a few trips with our parents to scout out venues, music, & food, it was definitely the perfect location! To intertwine the love of sailing into our wedding day, we got married on a very special 50′ catamaran between the islands of Lovango & Congo, nearby St. John. We were connected with a wonderful wedding planner and a very talented photographer. It was such an amazing and memorable week with family and friends.
After returning home, we wanted more of the island life. With the support of family and friends we decided to move to the island, get jobs and enjoy everything we loved about St. John, everyday! We lived on the island for a year and then moved back to the states to have children and be closer to family & friends. Since then, we have had two beautiful kids, who are so lucky to experience and grow up loving St. John too.
Over the past handful of years, we have had many trips with our parents, families & friends back to St. John and the islands. It is our favorite! As it is for the many, it is the place we always go back to.
In 2021, an opportunity came along to own a slice of paradise on St. John. We came together with my husband’s parents and purchased Villa Hermosa in Fish Bay! We rent the villa as a vacation property but use it as a family throughout the year. We are family run and love hosting guests that are new or returning to St. John! The island and the Virgin Islands have been a special part of our lives for many years, a great deal of which we owe to our parents for introducing and sharing with us. As a family we share a great love for St. John and the islands, with many beautiful memories and special moments shared here together. We look forward to all our future times on the island and know St. John will become a special place for all that come!
Alexandra Anns September 15, 2023
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