I had such a busy and fun week. I got to hang out with my friends at a few parties this weekend, it was weekend to remember.

He said

After the craziness that was last week, this week was slightly less chockablock full of things… I mean we still do have a teenager navigating school, being on two cheer teams, playing softball, work and her burgeoning social schedule. But there wasn’t a softball tournament, two cheer boot camps and a 30km bike race jammed into  our weekend, this weekend. So, it felt like there was a teeny bit more time to sit down between places we had to be and things we had to do.

This weekend, I actually managed to have today off work. So, when you add in that I was working the open shift yesterday, Danielle & I quickly hatched plans to head up to the trailer straight from work, and spend the day there today. We would get there in enough time to have dinner and then get the fire pit going and enjoy the wonderful weather for the rest of the night. Knowing that there was absolutely no rain in the forecast for the next few days, and that there was no need for an alarm this morning nor to be back to London in any rush today, was the perfect remedy 24 hours to the last few weeks we’ve had.

And, Emelia was able (with the help of one of her bestie’s Mom) to get to & from a couple of parties and finish both evenings sleeping over at Bri’s. Emelia has become pretty close with Bri and her Mom and they’ve become somewhat of a second family for her and we really appreciate it as Michelle (Bri’s Mom) parents very much the same way we do, so we know she’s safe and cared for. And, we return the favour where and whenever we can because we love Bri too. At, any rate by her account the parties she went to were good—one was much better than the other, but she had fun all weekend. And, by the time we were back home in London, Emelia was home and we’re all here relaxing.

This morning, Danielle & I got up after a reasonably good sleep-in and then we got out on our bikes on the G2G. But, the best part was we were able to ride the section between Auburn and Blyth which we can start right from the trailer. The last few weeks we’ve had to ride other sections while work is being done to upgrade the trail and put a new tunnel under Highway 25 to make the trail more accessible. We’d heard that maybe it was open and rideable, and last week when I was there it looked pretty close to ready so we thought we’d go see. And it turns out it is (sorta) open and we could ride it. Not sure if we were supposed to, but we did, and it was great!

Today is Father’s Day and my thoughts are really around two fathers that are not with us any more. We lost Dad at the end of April and we lost my brother Greg in December, both of them just after their birthdays. Far too soon. Both of them were huge, larger than life personalities in my life. And, both of them a road map for all the ways I wanted to also be a father, husband, best friend and partner. And, while there is a huge crater in our  universe as a family, I don’t completely feel that it is a Father’s Day without them, because they are in large part with me in my actions and aspirations every single day. While I still miss you like crazy, Dad and Greg, thanks for the ongoing lesson in how to roll. Love you two!

She said

This week was still busy in Emelia world. She is navigating two cheer teams, softball and a full school schedule as she prepares for her final exams. She has been working so hard with a not only a full school load but a demanding class of her co-op that is technically her summer school class. She was really feeling the pressure this week but with a lot of work she was able to get everything done. She is in full countdown to the end of the school year for sure.

Outside school Emelia is running it both ends but is loving it. We are so proud how she balances it all and is taking a real leadership role on Sov and taking a mentor role on Valour. Both teams are going to kill it this year we can feel it. Sov has a new coach this season and we are already really impressed with her attention to detail. I know that they will do incredible this year. If sports and school was not enough Emelia is really coming into her own with her social life. As John has mentioned Emelia’s friend has really grown but the one she is closest to is Bri. She and Bri are all about no drama and only about supporting each other. With the friends Emelia has made through Bri they are her safe place every moment they can be together. This weekend was quickly becoming a double booked weekend. Emelia. Bri and Belle had plans for weeks with a group of their friends. Emelia’s extended group were also invited through Emelia but their plans changed but Emelia, Bri and Belle stuck with the plans to hang out with the boys and go to the party. From all the stories that Emelia came home with she had the best time. Her stories were comical at best, and she had a night to remember. She and this group have started to hang out more and Emelia loves it. The whole night was a great night. The next night the girls were hanging out again but with a different group of girls, another great night. We love that Emelia wants to expand her friend group and put herself out there.

With Emelia living her best life John and I were able to sneak off to the trailer for a quiet night away. It was exactly what we needed after such a crazy few weeks. John and I were able to relax, listen to the hockey game around the fire. It was pure bliss. This morning we started our day at a lazy pace, went on a nice long bike ride before coming home. Today was a bit of a bittersweet day. Today is Father’s Day, a day to celebrate John and what an incredible father he is. But this year our family is broken, in less than 5 months we lost two of the best fathers I have ever known. Doug who was John’s hero, taught him to be the man and father he is today. Greg was John’s best friend and big brother, he always challenged John to be better at everything and was a role model of how to be an amazing father. We miss both more than words will ever express. Happy Father’s Day to the incredible fathers out there, to the fathers that are no longer with us and to the fathers who are not in our lives anymore.