A Celebration

We took a day off yesterday to fully enjoy the town and surroundings of Banff, taking a nice walk along the Bow River and up to the Banff Springs Hotel. We both have a deep love for this place and cherish our fond memories. Today, we took a short jaunt east—only 17 miles—to the town of Canmore, which sits at the eastern edge of the Rockies. The trip took a mere hour and 20 minutes.

Heading east out of Banff.

It was rainy in the morning, so we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the Bluebird Cafe, where we chatted with a couple from Arizona whose daughter had just gotten married at the Banff Springs Hotel. We also had a great conversation with a guy we met in our hotel lobby, who was visiting Banff from Oklahoma for his daughter’s wedding. Amazing! Banff must be a favorite wedding destination, and I can certainly see why!

Nineteen years ago today.

Nineteen years ago on this date, Andy and I had our own wedding in an equally inspiring location: Skamania Lodge in the Columbia River Gorge. Late September seems to be a wonderful time for a wedding!

As I rode to Canmore and took in the fall landscape, I found myself reflecting on how truly grateful and fortunate I am to have found such a soulmate to share my life with.

We have worked together as teaching partners—sometimes even in the same classroom!—for a good part of our teaching careers. The synergy of our rich experiences, including creating integrated and international programs, starting our own school, and teaching overseas in Guatemala and Hong Kong, has been incredible. We blended our families in 2006, and now we are embracing a life of traveling by bike all over the world. After all we have shared, this adventure is undoubtedly one of the best. I am so grateful to be riding by my husband and best friend’s side.

Along the Bow River in Banff.