A boy meets a girl

It was the summer of 1992, I was living in Gimli, Manitoba and on August long weekend a friend and I were at the Gimli Yacht Club. My friend was seeing the Yacht Club Manager at the time and he introduced me to Jason. I have told many that I had thought Jason must be some rich dentist to own his own boat but I soon found out he was a university student using his parent’s boat! It really didn’t matter as that night changed our lives forever. The four of us set out for a night sail and, at the helm, Jason and I started talking and getting to know each other. It was many years ago now so it’s hard to recall the specifics of what we discussed but I remember seeing lightning off in the distance and him telling me that it was the light show that he had ordered for me that night – very smooth! At some point during the sail I was helming and he had his arms around me from behind as he told me that someday he was going to sail the world and in that moment I said that I would go with him. Fast forward 30 years and I am just staying true to my word as we prepare to move onto our boat this summer to chase sunsets for three years together. That night was my very first time on a sailboat and I am so thankful to Jason for introducing me to his passion for sailing. From that night we first met we have become life partners and best friends, marrying five years later and becoming parents to two wonderful boys, Alexander (Alex) and Dylan. Our boys love being on the water and have both become excellent sailors. Sailing as a family has paved Alex’s career path towards becoming a Marine Engineer Officer with the Canadian Coast Guard. As for Dylan, we can’t help to wonder how our upcoming three year world sailing trip will impact his future career path.