Calgary Life Real Estate Group

A chance encounter led me to my wife? 💍
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Wow, this is a long story!

But let me see if I can condense it.

It was playoff hockey time. Seemingly the last time the Flames were in the playoffs. So you get how long ago that was 🤣! A bit of an exaggeration I suppose.

I was at a buddies house, and got introduced to a whole host of people. Including my future wife.

It was a brief introduction. I don’t think we said anything more than hi.

Fast forward a few weeks and my buddy and I were off to the Metropolitan Grill. Seems they were having a tequila-tasting event, and it sounded like it could be fun.

Up the stairs we walked, and who was there…Renée!

Turns out the Metropolitan Grill was her client from her Radio sales days. She was there to support them and the event.

As I surveyed the surroundings I noticed a giant margarita glass with about 5 straws in it. Allegedly, she was sharing this with a few friends.

We got chatting…sipped some tequila…and chatted some more.

And then…I was on the dance floor…but, not with Renée! 🤔

Turns out I was coerced, not so coerced by another female. Not my fault, I promise!

Anyway, the night was over and we all parted ways for several more weeks.

Fast forward to July. And the Calgary Stampede.

It was time to head to Fort Calgary for some music and debauchery. With the same friends of course.

And wouldn’t you know it. As we walked across a grassy field towards our final party zone, who was walking towards me, Renée and her friends. What!? Seriously, what a coincidence.

Well, my posse and I weren’t going to spend all night at the Fort. And Renée’s bevy was headed in the opposite direction.

It was now or never so I asked her for her phone number and said…”Me and the boys are heading down to 17th Ave a bit later. I’ll call you and let you know. Maybe we can all meet up later?”

And so, the boys and I did our time at the Fort, grabbed a taxi, and landed down at 17th Ave. I reached for my phone to call Renée. “What? Where’s my phone?”

Turns out it was on the seat of the taxi that was now driving away…F*$ #!

And that was the end of that 😞

A few more weeks go by and I’m out for lunch with that same buddy. I’m reminiscing about my lost phone and Renée’s lost number. And then he says…”Wait, I think I remember it. The first three numbers are my old house number. And the last numbers…my two favourite hockey players…yeah, it’s the numbers on their jerseys!”

And here I am, thinking to myself, that while this guy is my friend, he’s full of 💩.

And to prove it, I called it.

“Hello, is this Renée?”

“Yes, it is.”

And the rest, as they say, is history.

My Best Vacation as a Kid 🌴
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I was 8 years old. I still remember it vividly.

We were going to Hawaii!

I mean, what kid didn’t dream of going to an exotic destination like Hawaii. This was 1980 remember. I’m pretty sure I had a t-shirt that said…Hawaii 1980!

I remember landing in Honolulu. It was hot and humid…and they greeted you by putting on one of those Hawaiian Leis. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven!

And the only thing I was interested in doing was spending as much time on the beach, and in the water as possible!

I’m pretty sure this was my first beach experience. If there was another one, I had quickly forgotten that experience in favour of what was right in front of me.

And it was a trip of many firsts. First beach, first snorkel, first taste of Mahi Mahi, and first time getting thrashed by a crashing on-shore wave. I was definitely extracting sand from places on my body I never even knew I had!

But I was hooked!

Those warm off-shore breezes, morning rains, sand castles, and watching the surfers on their giant surfboards.

Sure, we did some of the touristy things. And the Mai Tais…turns out my ID wasn’t valid for those.

I must have forgotten most of those “touristy things”. My memories seem to zero in on the nature side of things. It were the whales, fish, coral, and Nene (Hawaiian Goose) that left an indelible imprint on me. Oh, the surfers also.

I suppose we’re pretty impressionable at that age. And I had gone on other trips in my youth. But, this one left a mark like no other.

It was my best vacation as a kid.

Is there a vacation you can recall that left a mark on you?