“Canada is Bae” T-Shirt – Peace Collective // Shorts – Garage // Sneakers – Windsor Store // Hat – Windsor Store
This past weekend really flew by. I took an additional day off to make it back to Ottawa in time for a couple of dental appointments before everything shuttered up for the long weekend. Canada Day long weekend – it’s kind of a big deal in Ottawa. I mean, you’re talking about the nation’s capital here. Everything is either go big or go home – literally. If you’re not out celebrating, there isn’t going to be much else to do, so you might as well stay inside.
I know, I know. You’re probably confused because I was just recently back home visiting my family only a couple of weeks ago, but it’s hard to stay away when traditions run strong. I don’t think I’ve ever once celebrated Canada Day away from Ottawa except for the first year that I moved to Toronto. Since then, I’ve always made it a priority to go back to my city for the weekend and to delve into the festivities with family and friends.
Because this past weekend was an extra long one, I had the chance to not only spend time with loved ones, but to spend some time with myself. Get your mind out of the gutter, we’re not going there. I’m talking about spending time with myself introspectively. I really took the time to think about how amazing my country is, and how I’ve been able to get to where I am purely because of the people I’ve had the pleasure of surrounding myself with.
You always hear the side joke that the first thing that Canadians learn to say once they’re out of the womb is “I’m sorry”. But there’s nothing wrong with that. With apologeticness comes politeness, kindness and empathy. I’ve had the luck of meeting not only some amazingly talented people, but also people who have kindly imparted their wisdom and faith onto me. Living anywhere else, I don’t think I’d have ever had the exposure to the opportunities that have been provided to me, nor have been able to nurture my goals as such. Which brings me to say, Canada is Bae. No really – Canada Before Anything Else.
