Weddings are such an incredible time in any person's life. Like I said - I can't believe I've already been fortunate enough to share this special day with so many already.
Yesterday was no different when my friend Kate tied the knot with her best friend Sean.
Hopefully most of you also know that the Olympics are happening! Personal opinion on the Olympics aside, it is agreeable to say that national pride is often at an all-time high this time of year. Athletes that have made competing their more-than-full-time job perform on the world stage against others of similar caliber, the only difference being how mentally prepared one is from the next.
Because the time change is so bad for watching events, I've just taken to 'dreaming of medals' for the athletes competing when I am sleeping, hoping to wake up to some good news. This has been the case for both of our Rowing 8's silver medals. Yesterday morning, our top Female Canadian Triathlon medal hopeful Paula Findlay took to the course. She is from Edmonton so her community here is highly supportive of her. Whether I was anxious about the wedding, or just completely restless I don't know. But I turned my phone on at 5 am to check Paula's results, hoping to see a top 10 finish. The short, smartphone friendly story on the TSN App told me she's finished in last place, having to stop for encouragement from her coach just in order to finish.
When I finally climbed up the stairs a couple hours later, I did what I've frequently been doing during the Olympics - start the CTV movie clip real on my Computer. Probably a good thing that I was short on time before having to head out to the wedding - two videos on Paula had me holding back tears. If you haven't watched the video of her finish, I encourage you to.
As the day progressed - throughout the hair appointments, make up session, and fire alarms at the hotel while we were getting ready - we were all keeping tabs on the Olympic events of the day. After Paula's most difficult race of her life, Canada hit it big. Our first Gold of the games, a silver, and a bronze. As the rest of the bridal party and I took in the entirety of the days' events - from the loss, to the wins and the wedding - I couldn't help but think about the power of a moment.
In a moment a million things can happen. The series that played back in my mind yesterday was absolutely staggering. I was moved in the early hours of the morning by an athlete who ran down the final stretch of her event sobbing and apologizing to Canada for not providing the medal we had all hoped for. I couldn't help but feel what she was feeling, all of the sadness and truth in what she was trying to convey. It pains me so much to hear those speak of the Olympics as nothing more but a drain on taxpayers dollars, when everyone at the end of every day of the Games lavishes in the wins and losses that our athletes go through for us. Forget about the overbearing realities for two weeks and relish in everything that the Olympics is. Paula's result was probably quite honestly the most proud and real moment of the Olympics for everyone watching.
I always feel humbled by the world when things of extreme opposition happen. To go from Paula's race to winning a Gold medal just hours later always reminds me of that amazing fate of the world. This gold medal was closely followed by two more medals from our athletes. Our athletes showed us what can be accomplished in sheer hours.
Turn to my world for a second - this wedding is still on!
Attending so many weddings - like anything - sometimes makes you desensitized to what is really happening. It is hard to believe, but leading up to any wedding, there is always minute amounts of resentment and frustration for the pending wedding. Yesterday proved me wrong again though. There was never a more perfect and chill wedding day (not that the other weddings I have been to haven't been either!). Fast forward to dinner and speeches - we're subtly reminded of what's really important and moreover - coming together on a day to celebrate two people committing to each other for the rest of their lives. Weddings are so, so sweet. They are a highest high too.
I looked at yesterdays lowest lows, experienced by someone I had never even met before, and highest highs by athletes that I'd never even heard of before, and then also my highest highs that I got to share with others, and was amazed by how much can happen in 24 hours. Just like watching a movie go by in front of your eyes, everything rolled out into place, just like it was supposed to and whether or not it was good or bad.
Those moments - from Paula crying - to talking with some of my closest and dearest friends at the wedding and planning for our future - ground me. They weave my storybook of days into one constant stream of learning, living and understanding the world. I love it. I am ever grateful for these days.
Ain't this just the best looking moment of them all?
Peace and love.
I always feel humbled by the world when things of extreme opposition happen. To go from Paula's race to winning a Gold medal just hours later always reminds me of that amazing fate of the world. This gold medal was closely followed by two more medals from our athletes. Our athletes showed us what can be accomplished in sheer hours.
Turn to my world for a second - this wedding is still on!
Attending so many weddings - like anything - sometimes makes you desensitized to what is really happening. It is hard to believe, but leading up to any wedding, there is always minute amounts of resentment and frustration for the pending wedding. Yesterday proved me wrong again though. There was never a more perfect and chill wedding day (not that the other weddings I have been to haven't been either!). Fast forward to dinner and speeches - we're subtly reminded of what's really important and moreover - coming together on a day to celebrate two people committing to each other for the rest of their lives. Weddings are so, so sweet. They are a highest high too.
I looked at yesterdays lowest lows, experienced by someone I had never even met before, and highest highs by athletes that I'd never even heard of before, and then also my highest highs that I got to share with others, and was amazed by how much can happen in 24 hours. Just like watching a movie go by in front of your eyes, everything rolled out into place, just like it was supposed to and whether or not it was good or bad.
Those moments - from Paula crying - to talking with some of my closest and dearest friends at the wedding and planning for our future - ground me. They weave my storybook of days into one constant stream of learning, living and understanding the world. I love it. I am ever grateful for these days.
Ain't this just the best looking moment of them all?
Peace and love.
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