Our Story

I’ve blogged about our love story in the past. A few years ago, as we were approaching our 3rd anniversary, I wrote a fully detailed 7 part story highlighting how we met, became friends, fell in love, got engaged and became man and wife. Seven parts might seem like a lot but it was necessary considering we had about 12 years to cover between our first introduction and the day we walked down the aisle.

Nearly three years has passed since I wrote that story and a lot has changed in those three years. We’ve graduated from 2 degrees, started a new business, started a new career, welcomed a child and became pregnant with our second. Oh yeah? And, more importantly, I’ve met a ton of new blog friends who have likely never heard or read the story of how we came to be Us.

So today I’m linking up with the lovely From Mrs to Mama who’s hosting a Love Story Linkup between now and Valentine’s Day. Of course, I can’t cover every thing in one post, so I’m giving you a sort of summary and, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll follow the links and read the entire story.

Our story begins when we were about 8 years old and met at a youth rally and then continues when we became friends at summer camp. It gets even juicier when I began stalking him and taking sneaky photos with him in the background because I was too chicken to actually snap a photo of the guy. The next few years passed with us seeing each other a few times a year, at youth rallies and summer camp, and me being too shy to ever say more than Hi to the cute boy with the hat from Papua New Guinea.

Part two takes us to three years in high school where we were in the same class at a Christian Boarding School where we went from being best friends to worst enemies every other week. Here we struggled together as both of our mom’s faced breast cancer and we learned a lot about life and each other. During this time, Evan went through a rough patch and I found myself hurting for him in a way I couldn’t understand.

Part three is where the story gets really good when the high school hottie confessed his love for me just one week before graduation and just one week before we walked the aisle at commencement together as Mr and Mrs GL. Trust me, you gotta read it to believe it.

Next up, we go through a summer of separation where I battled confusion, entirely unsure of what my future would hold in terms of university and a pending relationship with the boy of my dreams. The summer ended with him coming home from his job at camp and asking if he could visit me.

In part five, we date. We fall in love. And it is just mushy and beautiful. Go, go now. Read.

Part six is probably the best portion of all, where my sweet love put together the most elaborate plan he has ever conspired and somehow completely surprised me when he proposed to me on horseback. This portion of the story even includes photos of scrapbook pages since it took place way back in the olden days when we didn’t have digital cameras.

In the last part, I became his wife in a wedding celebration that completely made all my dreams come true. We committed our lives to each other in front of our family, friends and our God. And we’ve never, ever looked back.

A Decade in Review

Not only is another year coming to a close, but also another decade. I've seen a few folks that posted a review of the decade and it got me reflecting on the past decade of my life. A lot has changed over the last ten years!

2000
Rang in the new millennium with my family and friend's of the family at an outdoor concert in Niagara Falls featuring the Boomtang Boys, Leahey, and Jeff Healey.
Was in grade 8.
Was getting in trouble.
Begged my parents to let me go to the Christian boarding school that my siblings were at for grade 9 instead of grade 10.
Parents finally agreed.
Turned 14.
Moved away from home to go to boarding school.
Became best friends with Katie.
Started dating my first serious boyfriend.

2001
Lost my first grandparent when my mother's mom passed away in April.
Finished grade 9 and started grade 10.

2002
Celebrated my sweet 16 and went on a vacation to Frankenmuth with my mom.
Gained a brother in law when my sister got married in September.
Finished grade 10 and started grade 11.
Went to NYC.
Found out my mom had breast cancer just before Christmas.

2003
Mom had surgery in January 2003.
Watched my mom go through chemo and radiation from May-December.
Spent a lot of time in the cancer clinic with my mom.
Broke up with the boyfriend I had been dating since grade 9.
Finished grade 11 and started grade 12.
Started dating new boyfriend in grade 12.

2004
Graduated from high school.
Broke up with BF.
Started dating the Fabulous Dude.
Started University.
Hated University.
Gained a sister-in-law when my brother married Logi in December.

2005
Completed my first year of University.
Moved home and waitressed for the summer.
Welcomed our second niece into the world.
Transferred to a University closer to the FD.
Moved in with Caley.
Got engaged.
Found out the FD would be losing his job at the end of the year.

2006
FD started a new job. Hated it.
Traveled to Spokane, WA for the FD to lead worship at a youth rally and to visit our dear friends.
FD did not go back to his job when we returned.
The fabulous dude got his new (and current job).
Finished my second year of university.
Planned our wedding.
Married my sweetheart.
Spent our honeymoon at my grandma's cottage.
Moved into our first apartment.
Got a job as an assistant teacher in a JK/SK class.
Welcomed our third niece into the world.
Apartment flooded in December.
Moved into our new home just in time for Christmas.

2007
Got a puppy.
Finished my third year of University.
Vacationed in Punta Cana, DR with the fabulous dude and my parents.
Worked as a preschool teacher.
Walked in the 2007 weekend to end breast cancer.

2008
Graduated with an honour's BA in Child and Youth Studies.
Bought a new to me car.
Welcomed my first nephew into the world.
Walked in the 2008 Weekend to End Breast Cancer.
Started grad school. Questioned that decision.
Said goodbye to my best friend and her sister when they went to live in Scotland for a year.

2009
Started baking my own bread.
Made my husband a cheeseburger, french fry, and coke smoothie when he got his wisdom teeth out.
Grandpa passed away in February.
Finished course work for my graduate program.
Traveled to visit Katie in Scotland. Saw Scotland, part of England, and Rome.
Started writing my thesis.
Did lots of canning.
Welcomed my second nephew into the world.

What has this decade looked like for you?

Party in Pink

I know I have written on different occasions about my mother and my mother-in-law and the breast cancer battle that they have both fought. However, when I saw the FringeGirl was hosting a Party in Pink as an opportunity to honour the women in our lives who have battled his disease, I knew I would be writing about it again.

What more can I say except that I am so thankful that both of our moms are alive and healthy today after undergoing such a tremendous battle?

About a month ago, I wrote about the closing ceremonies that I attended for the 2009 Weekend to End Breast Cancer. This was the first year in the past 3 years that I didn't participate in it myself. Since that weekend, I have decided that I will be raising money and I will be walking in 2010. How could I not?

Sometimes, people question these types of fundraisers and wonder whether or not the money raised will actually have any impact on the problem.

Will the money I raise cure cancer? Maybe not.

Does that mean it's not important or helpful? I don't think so.

I've been asked these questions before. I've been asked if I think that my participation in this event will "actually help solve anything".

My response to this question is always the same: I don't know if my participation in this event will make the difference but I have to do something. I may not be able to do much but I can do some fund raising and I can walk 60km... even if it kicks my butt.

After seeing a loved one(s) go through the battle of breast cancer, you are left knowing that you must do something.

I sat on my bed four days before Christmas and listened to my mom speak the words, "I have breast cancer."

I watched her hair fall out.

I sat beside her in a clinic and watched nasty drugs being pumped into her body while she fell asleep and made extremely strange noises (as not funny as the chemo experience is - it is actually kind of funny sometimes).

I heard her tell stories about the other women she met in the clinic during her treatments.

I heard her tell me that some of those women lost the battle.

I cried with the FD when he told me that his mother was diagnosed too.

I prayed for my mom, for FD's mom and for the many other women with breast cancer.

I celebrated when we found out that mom was cancer free.

I celebrated when FD's family found out that his mom was cancer free, too.

I spiked my mom's hair as it grew back, all short and fuzzy.

And through it all, I felt like I could really do nothing.

So, when the opportunity arose for me to be able to do something, I had to do it.

And that is why I will walk again in 2010.
(Please remind me of this when I'm in the process of fund raising and training next year.)

To finish off, here are some of my favourite pictures from the 2007 and 2008 walk ...

Here's to Mom, to Sue and to the far too many other women who have fought/are fighting/will fight in the fight against breast cancer.

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer

In 2007 and 2008 I participated in The Weekend to End Breast Cancer which is a 60 km walk through the streets of Toronto. The 2008 event was a particularly special year for me because I walked alongside my mother and my mother-in-law, who were both celebrating 5 years cancer free!!

This year, I decided to take a year off from the event. I didn't regret that decision until yesterday when the fabulous dude, M&L and I headed to Toronto to support the walkers at the closing ceremonies.

We got their in time to cheer on team BOOBEES as they crossed the finish line, after walking a painstaking 60 km on a fairly hot weekend. This weekend, the team was made up of 6 wonderful ladies. FD's Aunt P, Be, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law A and Caley. They also joined up with their friends Tina and Susan who were also part of the event. You go girls! I am so proud of you!

The weekend is full of emotion and I was lucky to experience a small part of it yesterday afternoon as I cheered on the walkers as they approached the end of their journey. I was even able to cheer for a 97 year old woman who was completing the event. She was there last year, too. Amazing!

Many people walk in honour of or in memory of those they know who have had their lives affected by breast cancer. On the back of Caley's shirt, she was proudly sporting the names of my mumma and mumma-in-law.

The closing ceremonies are likely the most emotional part of the weekend for all who are involved. During the ceremony, there is a procession of walkers who are breast cancer survivors who make their way to the front. As I watched these beautiful women (and some men) make their way to the stage after walking for two days straight, I gave thanks to God for my mom and my mother-in-law and spent time praying for those whose mothers, wives, sisters, aunts and friends have lost their lives to cancer.

I was proud to wave at and blow kisses to my mother-in-law as she walked in the procession with the other participants. You can see her in the bottom left of the photo below.
I haven't made a definite decision yet but you can probably count on me being there next year raising funds and walking the 60 KMs again in support of this cause. Because cancer is hard, walking isn't.

Your Mr & Mrs Questions Answered!

As promised, here are the answers to the questions you asked us. I had so much fun answering and then comparing our answers. It was fun to see which questions we answered similarly and which ones we answered differently. Also funny to see how he is so much more verbose than moi.

Gwen asked: If you could only bring one thing with you (each of you get an item) to an island where you will be stranded what would you bring?

My answer: The FD would bring a weapon of some kind ... either his bow or rifle. I would bring my breadmaker (surely there's electricity on this deserted island right?)

His answer: I would bring water proof matches and Lucy would take her camera.

Tricia asked: If you and the FD could start any business or volunteer venture together and money were no object, what would it be and why?

My answer: Wow! I've had to think about this one so much. After a few days of thought, I'm still not entirely sure. I think it would somehow involve having an opportunity for us to work together and me be at home with our children. Perhaps a farm.

His answer: We would either farm full time or do something for breast cancer.

Rona asked: Where do you see yourselves in 10 years?

My answer: In ten years I see us owning a small hobby farm in [a certain town that I'm not going to tell any of you - including my real life family and friends]. We will have a set of twin boys named [I'm not telling] and [I'm still not telling] and one girl named [you have to guess] on the way. Of course, Nika will still be alive and thriving because she is never going to die. FD will be working at a similar job but with a different company and I will be a SAHM with a part time blogging business. By this time, we will have a full blown chicken farming operation and perhaps there will be a few goats and pigs thrown into the mix. How does that sound?

His answer: Ten years? Lots of kids running around on a small farm.

S. asked: Did you wait until you were married to *ahem*? And, when will you two start having a family?

My answer: Seriously, S., don't you know my daddy reads this blog? (Blush). But, yes, we did wait until we were married. That was a decision we were both firmly committed to. And as far as the family, hopefully we'll be ready to start within the next 2 years. Tomorrow, if I had it my way. :D

His answer: Yes we waited. We'll start having a family with in a year and a half or two.

Jenny.Lee asked: What is something new you have learned about your significant other now that you are married?

My answer: That farting and snoring are a big deal. In all seriousness, I have learned that there will never be a day when I will question whether or not he loves me and that I will never have to worry about being provided for. This man is an extremely hard worker and he will do whatever it takes (including working 36 hours straight, taking on two extra jobs, and not stopping for breaks/lunches) to ensure that our family is okay. I have learned that even though our love is spoken in very different languages, it is often necessary and valuable to become fluent in a language that is much different than your primary one in order to meet the needs your spouse. And although you may never speak your second language as easily or as naturally as you do your primary language, you will be able to learn well enough to communicate clearly if you try hard enough. I have learned that the FD will always try to learn my language.

His answer: I've learned that blogging brings her a lot of joy and that she always tries to get as much joy into one day as possible.

C asked: What is your favorite thing about the other? What is the funniest memory you have together?

My answer: Hmm, my favourite thing about him? How do I pick just one? I love that he loves to eat my food. All the time. Even when it's gross. Our funniest memory together is a prank we pulled on my dad. We sent my dad down to get some corn out of the freezer and when he got down there the FD jumped out of the freezer and scared my dad so bad he almost pooped his pants. He dropped the lid of the freezer on FD's head.

His answer: My favourite thing is her cooking. Our funniest memory is probably when I peed the bed. Rumour has it you've all heard that story.

Kristin asked: What is the weirdest thing the two of you did together? What is the weirdest thing that happened to you when you were together?

My answer: The weirdest thing we ever did together was in Niagara Falls on one of our first dates. For some reason, we thought this was so funny. I would go sit on a beach about 100 yards ahead of him. He'd wait a few minutes and then start running towards me screaming "Go! Go! Go!" Then I would quickly jump up and jump on his back and we'd take off. People looked at us like we were out to lunch. We did this over and over again and were laughing so hard at the end. Then we went to a hat store and he made me try one tons of ridiculous hats.

This is probably tied with the time we pulled over on the side of the highway on the way to my family reunion (when we were dating), picked up a wounded owl, emptied his duffel bag to make a bed for the owl, and continued driving. FD thought my family would think he was so cool if he brought an owl to the reunion. I drove the next two hours terrified that the owl would get out of the bag and be perched on the back of my seat. You all know how much I love birds (sarcasm). Unfortunately, Miles - as we called the dear owl who traveled many miles in his life - did not make it to the final destination. He passed away somewhere between Parry Sound and Sudbury. Rest in peace.

The weirdest thing that happened to us when we were together is ... I'm having a really hard time thinking of an answer for this one.

His answer: The weirdest thing we've ever done together is... I got nothing.

The weirdest thing that has ever happened to us when we were together is... I still got nothing.

**Sorry we both have super boring answers for this one. Apparently we're not very weird.

Elizabeth asked: How were you feeling on the day you got engaged?

My answer: Well, first I was confused about some weird behaviour on the part of my in-laws, then I was excited when I realized he was going to propose. Then I was scared while riding a horse. Then I was ecstatic when I saw my ring. Then I felt blessed to celebrate with my family. Click here to read more about the day of our engagement.

His answer: Successful.

Real Life Romance: Part Two

If you are new to the Real Life Romance series, click here to read Part One.

We Meet Again

Over the next couple years, we saw each other a few times at camps, youth rallies and other church related events. When it was time to begin high school, my parents agreed to let me go to "GL" in grade 9 (remember, GL is the church run residential school that I mentioned in Part One?). My other siblings had not been allowed to go until grade 10 but I was dying to get out of my town, away from my grade school friends and be surrounded by my Christian friends (ahem, particularly "one" friend of the male variety) who I knew from camp.

I knew the Fabulous Dude wouldn't be enrolling until grade 10 but we were still friends throughout grade 9 when we saw each other at events or when I visited his hometown with his cousin (who was one of my closest friends) on the weekends.

In grade 10, he came to GL and started dating one of my best friends almost immediately. That was okay, I was in a too-serious relationship already and the instant love I had felt for him when I was 8 years old was at bay. Over the next three years, we were the best of friends and the worst of enemies.

We would be best friends one day and then go weeks without speaking to each other until one of us needed the other, we'd cave in and have a huge heart to heart and then we'd start the cycle again. I did a lot of his homework for him, he encouraged me to get out of a not so healthy relationship, I made pies for him, he drove me to McDonald's, we had mutual friends, we had a vast array of inside jokes, we both dated other people and life went on.

Here are a few pictures of us from high school...

It was not until the summer between grade 11 and 12 that anything truly monumental happened. At this point, the fabulous dude was now spending his entire summers at the camp we met at, working as a counselor and lifeguard and I was living at home during the summers working various part time jobs. In the middle of my grade 11 year my mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Over the course of that summer, she was in the midst of chemotherapy and radiation. In late August, after not speaking to the fabulous dude since school finished in June, I got a call from him. I cried with him on the phone as he told me that his mother, too, had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

So we started that school year (our final year) as good friends. We had this common experience to share that none of our other friends could really relate to. We both knew what it felt like to watch your mom go through something so horrible. We were there for each other through that. Praise the Lord, we were also able to celebrate as both of our mother's finished their treatment cancer free. Close to the beginning of the year, I had a weekend long birthday party at my house (remember, we're at boarding school). A bunch of my friends came home with me but he couldn't come because it was the weekend of his mom's surgery. We decided he would come to my place for a visit the next weekend. Over the course of the weekend, I thought there were some sparks. He did a ballet dance to "Beauty and the Beast" wearing my Mom's slippers. I thought surely that was a sign.

However, when we got back to school it seemed as though nothing had happened. Just like in the other years of high school, we went through cycles of being best friends and worst enemies. He was struggling with some other personal issues and was very moody at times. He was in a slump. That year, I lived with my two best friends at one of their houses rather than in the dorm. I remember spending hours at home in the evenings with them talking, crying and praying for him because the FD we were seeing was not the FD that we knew.

As the year progressed, I continued to hurt for him and miss my friend. Eventually, he seemed to get out of his slump. He was back to his normal, funny, annoying self as the end of our high school days drew closer.

To be continued...

The Real Life Romance series is being linked up at MM&Ms at Musings of a Future Pastor's Wife

Thankful Thursday

In honour of the new year, I decided to forgo this week's Thrifty Thursday post (see yesterday's post for a quasi idea) and to post about some things that I am thankful for as we start a new year. I decided to write down the first 29 things that come to mind when I think about what I am thankful for. Why 29? Because it is now 2009 and I didn't think I could handle sitting at the computer for the length of time it would take to write out 2009 things so I shortened it to 29. Most of the 29 are things that are (at least in someway) specific to the year that has just passed. So here you have it, in no particular order, my list:

1. The health of my mom and mother-in-law, who both celebrated 5 years cancer free in 2008.
2. My husband's ability and desire to work hard to support our (wee) family.
3. A new (to me) vehicle.
4. All the new babies in born into my family in 2008: Hannah, Hunter, Rylan, Daniel and Mason.
5. Financial aid to help support my graduate education.
6. A 3 week visit with my sister and her newborn son in the summer.
7. Candycane hot chocolate.
8. My best friend's opportunity to follow her dream.
9. The harvest from my garden.
10. A friend who taught me to bake bread and teaches me many life lessons.
11. Multiple trips north to visit family.
12. My siblings who are also my dearest friends.
13. My nieces and nephew.
14. Parents (both sets).
15. Three sweet chillens: Slugger, Sunny and Bam-Bam.
16. The freedom and opportunity to pursue higher education.
17. My church family.
18. Cousins who are more friends than cousins.
19. My cozy apartment.
20. Baking and canning days with my mumma.
21. My job and my husband's job.
22. Tostitos with cream cheese bacon dip (mmm ... eating it right now).
23. Crepe nights with Katie and Amy.
24. Cooking weekends with my SIL.
25. A freezer FULL of food.
26. The chance to walk in the weekend to end breast cancer with five very special ladies.
27. The fireplace that keeps my house warm.
28. The blessing of another year.
29. The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

I'd love to hear what you are thankful for as we enter a new year. You don't have to write 29 things, you can write more or less, whatever you feel like. Use Mr. Linky to link back to the post. Happy New Year!

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer

This past week, September 5-7, I participate in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer benefiting the Princess Margaret Hospital for the second year in a row. My team, the Marching Mammys, was made up of some extraordinary women. I walked with my mother and mother-in-law, both celebrating 5 years cancer free, Amy and Becki (my sister-in-laws), and BonnieLee (a dear friend of our family who has experienced the effects of breast cancer in her family).

Our weekend began Friday night when we met up at a Days Inn in Toronto. We then headed over to the Direct Energy Centre to sign in, get our tent assignments and do all the admin work. We even got cool airbrush tattoos and some of us bought some WEBC paraphenalia.

After registration was complete, we headed to an Irish Pub to have some din din. We then headed back to the hotel where we painted our shirts to wear on Sunday and head to bed.

Saturday morning ... up at 5 a.m. and in a cab by 5:30. The morning started out rainy but after about 2 1/2 hours of walking, it began to clear up. The rain was very light so the drizzle didn't bother us much.

Part way through the day, Suzy Q had a lovely surprise when three of her dear friends and co-workers were waiting at a cheering station with signs and posters and lots of noise to cheer her on! What a great encouragement to have such support.


We finished Day One (~35 km) around 4:30 p.m. We then headed to our tents to get our beds set up. We all enjoyed a lovely hot shower and then headed to dinner. Yummy food!!


After dinner, a few of us did some yoga and then headed to the dance. It seems crazy to dance after walking 35 km straight but honestly, it's the best thing for you. It really helps you to loosen up and move different muscles.


After the dance, at around 9 pm, we all headed to bed. I slept like a log even though I was sleeping on the ground. I think when your body is that tired you have no choice but to sleep well.

Sunday morning, we were up at 6 a.m., packed up our stuff and headed off to breakfast and were on our way by 7:15. We were all feeling pretty good for most of Sunday morning but once the rain started and showed no signs of stopping, we could feel the energy dwindling. However, there was lots of encouragement along the way. Nothing like handsome Toronto firemen to keep us walking!



By about 2 p.m. on Sunday, some of us were having a hard time, but with the encouragement of our other teammates, fellow walkers, and crew, we were able to push through and keep moving. Here is a picture of us at the last rest stop with just under 3 km to go.


We stopped for a coffee during the last leg of the walk and we were able to cross the finish line just before 4 p.m.


We were met by our loved ones who were beaming with pride to see us hand in hand across the line. We then proceeded to the closing ceremonies where we were shocked to see a 96 year old woman DANCE across the finish line. Wow!!! She certainly put things in perspective for me as a 22 year old who, at times, wondered how I would finish the walk alive.

We then cheered as the crew and volunteers from the weekend joined us in the closing ceremonies and finally, and most importantly, as the survivors of the Weekend to End Breast Cancer entered the ceremony.

This event is so close to my heart, especially this year, when I walked with my two mother's, who are both 5 years cancer free. At times, when my feet were soaked and covered in blisters and my legs would hardly move, I had to remind myself that the pain I was feeling was pale in comparison to the pain felt by those who are undergoing treatment and those who have lost a loved one to the terrible disease. I can handle the sore muscles, blisters and exhaustion if it means that, in some way, I have made a difference.

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer

As you may or may not know, last year, I participated in The Weekend to End Breast Cancer which is an event sponsored by the Princess Margaret Hospital. Before I had even finished the 60 km walk, I decided to sign up for the 2008 event. I am so excited to be a part of this event.

This year, I will be walking with my mom, my mother in law and two of my sister in laws. What makes this even more meaningful is that both my mother and my mother in law are celebrating FIVE years cancer free!!

Once again, I will be walking 60 KM through Toronto in September in order to support the battle against breast cancer. I am required to raise $2000 but my goal is to surpass that amount. Last year, I was able to almost double the required amount, maybe this year I can triple that amount?

Please consider sponsoring me if you are able! If you are unable to support me in a monetary way, please support me with your prayers and encouragement as I prepare and take part in this event.

Check out the link to my weekend webpage. New this year, I am able to keep you updated with a blog on that page. Feel free to bookmark my page so you can be a part of the event with me! I will also try to keep my progress updated on this blog.

I am looking for ideas for a creative and catchy team name! Leave suggestions for me!