When I was growing up in London, there used to be something called the Western Fair that came to town every year.  From the middle of the scorching summer sun, this great event would arise and somehow, turn everything into Fall.

There would concerts, a giant midway, agricultural exhibits and of course, the anticipation that came with eating corn dogs and mini donuts.

Each year, my best friend and I were allowed to take a Friday afternoon off of school and head to the Fair until late in the night.  It was – by far – one of the most exciting things ever and I truly can’t remember a single year in which the weather wasn’t extraordinary.

We would go on rides until our stomach felt inside out…we would eat as much junk food as we could possibly get away with…we walked around the exhibits for what seemed like hours…and for as long as I live, as the end of summer rolls around, I will be able to smell the memories of it all floating through the air.

As my husband and I’s first wedding anniversary approached, we decided that – to celebrate – we would each choose an experience that we wanted to share with the other…something to help us learn more about the other person…the person we were sharing our life with.

So, guess what I chose?!?

On August 27th, 2006, I dragged my brand new husband down the Ex…the equivalent of the Western Fair here in Ottawa.  We at junk food…roamed the agricultural exhibits and, unlike my younger days, watched the all of the barf inducing rides from a distance.  And two days later…he took me on a canoe trip in Algonquin Park!

Experiences are truly the great essence of life.  They connect us and remind us and bring us to a place of understanding within one another’s lives.  We grow…we bond…and we CREATE through experiences.

Around this same time last year, I experienced a whole lot of awesomeness with Lesley and Simon…

It was their wedding day…it was a brutal snow storm…and it was all amazing!  We endured tumultuous weather…great hilarity…and some of the best fudge that I’ve ever had!  We experienced a lot together!

And thankfully for me, they chose to share in the experience of their first anniversary with me as well!  They drove up to Ottawa…we played in the snow…and we celebrated an amazing year for an amazing couple!

Experience life, my friends…and if you feel so inclined, bring a photographer along to document it!!