Thanks for being born

To my wonderful husband, Chad.

It’s your birthday today, and once again I suck. I bought you a whole lot of nothing as a present because a) you said you didn’t want anything and b) you’re the world’s hardest person to shop for. So your totally un-commercial gift that you can’t return is a blog post where I tell the world why I’m happy you were born.

You truly are the best person I’ve ever met. You don’t have a mean bone in your body and almost never even get mad, even when you probably should. You tirelessly tidy up after the tornado that is me and understand why the blankets have to be a certain way before I can even think about falling asleep. You let your daughter put face paint on your tummy, turning your scar into a rainbow with a unicorn frolicking on your navel because it made her happy. You wait until I’m in bed before playing video games you need to review so you can spend time with me. You let the kids in Scarlett’s class call you “Coconut Head” and chase you around because they think it’s the funniest thing ever. You wore the TV Hat at Disney World even though it was ridiculous. You always take out the recycling because you know I hate stickiness. You tell me you love me at the end of every phone call. You have never, ever picked a fight with me and have shut me down the times when I have. You are always an arm’s length or a phone call away, and I know with my whole heart that you would do anything for me. I’d do the same for you, baby.

You make me happy, Chad Sapieha.

You’re the best husband, the best dad and the best friend. Ever.

I love you! Happy birthday!

Ten years in a life

The Pryma girls in July

Yo. I’m back.

I’m not even going to try to explain why I stopped blogging–it just kind of happened.

I will, however, try to explain why I’m blogging again. But before I do that, I’m going to note that today is the 10th anniversary of my move from Saskatoon to Toronto. Ten years is at once a blip and an eternity, especially when I think back about what’s happened in my life over the last 10 years.

Ten years ago, I was on again/off again dating this radio station dude in Saskatoon named Chad Sapieha. I had two relatively healthy parents. I had a tiny circle of friends in Toronto and a big pool of them in Saskatoon.

As the years clicked on, I have had two (and a half) full careers–one as a journalist and one in PR, and I have loved both of them. I finally clued into the fact that Chad is the greatest person to ever walk the earth and somehow not only convinced him to move to Toronto to be with me, but to spend the rest of his life with me. I have given birth to the other love of my life–a daughter that truly brings sunshine into any room. I have met some of the most amazing people I’ve ever known, and have spent countless hours laughing and crying and gossping with them. I’ve had a hell of a lot of fun.

I’ve also had my share of grief over the last 10 years. My dad died three weeks after my wedding, and I will never forget that last hug we shared at the Saskatoon airport or the feeling of my bottom crashing out when the phone at my desk rang with the news he was gone. Chad lost his mom to stomach cancer, and I experienced the pain of watching him cope with her death. Then Chad was genetically tested and had his stomach removed as a preventative measure, only to find his stomach filled with tumors. Let’s call that year a low point, too.

Now, just when the coast seems clear, the future bright and the biggest thing on our minds a trip to DisneyWorld in the spring, my mom goes in for a routine checkup, and is being admitted to the hospital next week.

Turns out her doctor’s hunch to send her for chest Xrays was a good one–my non-smoking her entire life mom’s lungs are covered in lesions. She had a CT Scan the next day and, well, it’s not good. The doctor has spent the last two weeks trying to find her a bed in the hospital. From my experience, any time the medical system is in a hurry it’s time to worry.

So, why am I blogging now? Because I need to. Because I have unfortunately been here before, and because I know it helped. I don’t care if anyone reads this. I don’t care if I’m being too personal. I need an outlet, and this is it.

If you are interested in hearing about what’s going on, check in. If not, send me some good vibes, okay? I’m going to need them for the next little while.

kp

Happy Anniversary, Chaddy!

Still crazy after all these years

Today, Chad and I are celebrating our sixth wedding anniversary together. Happy anniversary, honey! I love you forever.

xoxo

kp