It was a phenomenal job opportunity, so moving to Edmonton wasn't too hard a decision to make. Still, I was apprehensive. On my drive across Canada, I'd get bored at night and google Edmonton. That's how I found the Edmonton Outdoor Club. By Saskatchewan I'd signed up, and within 5 days of getting here I'd attended my first event. I thought, "Wow, lookit. I can find people who want to do outdoorsy things." It really started me down that path of easily making new friends. And the friends I've made there are people I hang out with on a weekly basis now. 

Before I started the new job, I already had a trip to Argentina planned. I’d only been in Edmonton for 3 months at that point. When I came back after a month, 3 of my new friends were waiting at the airport with this huge banner: “Welcome Home!” I'm so glad there were 2 pictures left on my camera for that moment. Argentina was great, but it was wonderful to be back. I can’t even explain...it was just this sudden wave of relief: "Oh, I'm home." You just feel like you’re finally where you’re supposed to be.

It's been a long time since I actually felt that a place is home. That banner really settled for me that living here wasn't a temporary thing. I stood there realizing, “Yeah, this is home, and they are my friends.” I'm going to be hanging out with them for years.

It's all wrapped up here; this ability for all aspects of my life to meet finally. Edmonton really lets me be who I am.