I debated what to write for my first official lifestyle post. Should I write about cake? Start with a childhood memory? Or recite a favorite high school monologue? In the end I decided to begin with something I love most: my family.
The People I Call Family
My family. My people. The ones who drive me a little crazy and make my heart swell at the same time. We’ve walked through thick and thin together. Below is a brief introduction to my life, told through the people I share it with.
My Partner in Crime
I met my husband, Ed, almost 13 years ago. I was working at a local pub when a co-worker invited me to dinner after our shift. I was exhausted and planned to put on my pajamas and read instead. Then my flip phone—yes, a flip phone—wouldn’t stop ringing. It was my friend, insistent and impossible to ignore. “Get over here now, Katie!” she demanded.
Reluctantly I pulled on jeans and stopped at the wine store on my way. Not long after I arrived, someone knocked at the door: an incredibly handsome guy with striking tattoos. We spent the evening playing card games, chatting and laughing. He was kind, funny and just a little reserved. Fast forward: we’ve been married 11 years, moved countless times across two provinces, lived in five houses, raised four kids and shared many tears and laughs. He’s my partner, my biggest fan, and the person I choose—sometimes every single day—to do life with.
Kiddos. All the Kiddos.
There’s an old rhyme: “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes so and so with the baby carriage.” For us, it rang true and brought both joy and sorrow. Shortly after we married, we became pregnant with our son Dominic. Tragically, he passed away a few hours after birth. His brief life forever changed us, and although he isn’t physically here, he remains part of our family and our story.
Soon after, we welcomed our oldest daughter, Bree. During maternity leave with her I started baking, spending hours in our tiny kitchen while she sat in her bumbo on the counter as I made muffins, cookies and cupcakes. We loved Bree so much we had another daughter, Mila—adorable with big brown eyes and a mop of dark hair. Then came Hope, our third daughter, who announced herself with a fierce voice that didn’t quiet down until nearly two years old.
Today Hope is a spunky, almost five-year-old who only screams when her older sisters leave her out of a game. Three healthy, beautiful daughters have made our family feel complete.
Where We Do Life
We live in a small city in Northern British Columbia where winter hangs around for much of the year. Our house sits on a quiet street backing onto an elementary school field. I love summer mornings when the windows are open and I can hear children laughing and playing outside. Life here isn’t flashy or glamorous—it’s ordinary and real—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
