10/19/2024
Heads up - here’s the long one!
Watching the beautiful Rocky Mountains from up in the sky after 13 years of visiting them, taking my kids hiking in them and just enjoying their beauty seems surreal. Tears are flowing as I think of all of the truly amazing people who have come into our lives in the last 13 years. We knew raising our kids in Southern Alberta was the right choice when we moved here from Florida, but we had no idea what was in store for us. We had no idea just how right it was. When they say it takes a village to raise kids, the Village of Stirling sure made that a reality for us. That little village will forever have a special place in our memories and our hearts. Oh, and the beautiful people of Stirling, we miss you so much! The Town of Maiden has big shoes to fill.
Of course, it’s always wonderful to be by family when raising little ones. I was so grateful we were here when my Dad got sick the first time, and the second time. I will forever be grateful we were here so my kids knew him and he got to watch them grow up for a little while. Before he had to go hang out with their brother Truman in heaven. Man, he’d be so proud of them. I know he is.
Here I sit, a bawling mess on the airplane as I write this thinking of the amazing memories my family will forever talk about because of the generosity, friendship and kindness we were shown over the last 13 years- most of it from people that at one time, not all that long ago, were complete strangers to us. And now, I leave what I have always called home not only a better person, a better entrepreneur, a better Mother, a better wife - I leave here a better human because of all of YOU. And the even better part? We leave Southern Alberta with three amazing humans who are going to go out and change their little worlds for the better, because of YOU. They are phenomenal humans because they were surrounded daily by absolute rockstar examples of good. In this world, which can be just so ugly, my kids got to see humanity in the faces, actions and lives of everyone around us and that could never be taught in a school or a book - thank you for teaching them that.
Working a 100 hours a week for five years was exhausting to say the least. It came at a major expense. I missed too many dance shows, volleyball games, basketball games, soccer games and really…family dinners around our table, so I could feed your families. I don’t regret it because I don’t believe in regrets, but I sure learned a lot of important lessons from it. Now it’s time for me to be their Mom more full time. I cannot count all of the lessons I have learned from running that little bbq joint - I could write an entire series of books about them (maybe a podcast?). I am so incredibly grateful for each and every lesson and I couldn’t have learned them without the amazing support of our community, so thank you. I think I rewrote the definition of either ambitious or insane - maybe both.
I will only be saying four major THANK YOU’S in this post and that’s to my family. I have another post in the works for some other major thank you’s, don’t worry.
THANK YOU to Brian first for keeping me sane, running the house, teaching the kids how to drive, running them everywhere, helping run the business, and for forever being my best friend and favourite human. Without you, I couldn’t have done this. Thanks for being my human for the last 22 years and I look forward to our next adventures together.
Next, Harrison. Man, I can’t even tell you how amazing it is to work alongside your kids. Harrison was always there for me, wanting to help, wanting to work, working through any trial that we had with a smile on his face. He had great customer service and could do any part of the business I needed him to. He went through his teenage years in his parents’ business and I am so incredibly proud of the man he is today. You need to know that when I was having a super hard few days at the end of last week, Harrison called me to tell me how proud of me he was and other beautiful sentiments. Through his tears, my son’s words made the entire five years worth it.
Next is Sterling. This kid’s ability to keep up with me too was amazing. He too worked so hard, worked long days, juggled school, basketball, time for his girlfriend, and work. I am so grateful to be your Mama too and always your biggest cheerleader. Can’t wait to watch you play ball and grow into the man I know you will be! Thanks for always making me laugh and have fun at work and home! You’re a great example of what hard work looks like and you inspire me daily.
And last, but not least, Kensington. Oh, little girl. She was 7 when we opened the first food truck, and who knew what a 7-year-old could do? I had NO IDEA she would be taking orders, running cash and waitressing that young. And yet, she did a fantastic job! I hear many stories of people who remember her from the beginning and they were just shocked with how grown up and responsible she was. My Mom says watching Kensington grow up is like watching me grow up all over again - so watch out, world! We are coming for ya!
This sweet girl understands what hard work can accomplish. This move has been incredibly hard on her (moving countries, schools and all that she’s ever known at only 12 years old) but she perseveres day in and day out, knowing she will get to hug her Mama soon! So soon, baby girl!
I don’t know what the future holds for our little family down in North Carolina, but I do know we will make the journey more united as a couple and as a family because of everything we have learned in Southern Alberta. I know my small (ish) and mighty crew will have tons of fun together as we enter this next chapter of our lives. I firmly believe that our job as parents is to put good humans back out into the world. That’s it. It sounds pretty simple. And, yet, as a parent, it’s anything but simple. I’m grateful I have the best husband and father for our kids while we traverse through what lies ahead for us. We are ready for the next chapter now that the final piece of our family puzzle is arriving in North Carolina. So thank you, Southern Alberta, for making the last 13 years epic for our little family.
Keep an eye on us, the Bohns are just getting started for our next adventure and we would love to have you along for the ride!
