Il n'y a rien de comparable à sa maison

“Excitement” just doesn’t cut it. There is no one word to express all the anticipatory emotions of landing in the homeland to see family and friends again. You see, people can have the exact same conversation in person or via FaceTime, but one’s physical presence during the conversation adds such a special dynamic to the moment. My parents and Alissa’s visit proved just that. It was this same special dynamic that I was anticipating for the duration of our visit.

 

Several delays, however, lengthened our anticipation. In San Francisco, the plane just never showed up. In Toronto, a lightning storm prevent our plane from landing and prevented crewman to collect our bags. So 7 hours after the expected arrival time, with hearts racing as we finally walked through the airport arrival doors, Jordan and I were greeted by the smiling faces of his family. Weary, perhaps, and sore from the long wait, but smiling nonetheless. In that moment, the length of delay, the length of wait was insignificant - we were reunited as a family and oh, how good that felt!

Although away from family for 18 months, I was caught off guard by how quickly it felt as if nothing had changed, as if we were only apart for a mere few days. While life situations may have changed, everyone had the same personality, the same comfortability; which seems blatantly obvious, yet it was reassuring to know that “Yes, I belong here; this is family.”

We were in for an incredible two weeks.

 

Family Bonfire:

I can’t help but laugh reminiscing about the bonfire my family organized for our first official night back home. Jordan likes to fit in - who doesn’t really - and he has done a pretty impressive job at quickly adapting to Aussie slang and fashion. I, however, have made my Canadian roots slightly more obvious here is Brisbane.

Let’s take a ferry trip for example.

Jordan and I frequently take the ferry as an easy means to get into the city. As we walk off the ferry, we both thank the crew. Here’s the typical conversation:

Jordan: Cheers mate!

Jen: Thank you very much!

Jordan *eyes rolling*: You sound so Canadian!”

Jen: I am Canadian.

Jordan: We have been living here for a year and a half, and you make us both look like tourists!

 

Although we definitely have both picked up Aussie slang and idioms, “Thank you very much”, “I’m sorry”, and “eh” have still remained strongly accentuated in my everyday language. Jordan can certainly vouch for this, which makes the following story even more humorous:

Jordan and I had an incredible time catching up with all the extended family present at the BBQ. We had the opportunity to catch up with uncles, aunts and cousins from both sides of my family. In the middle of numerous conversations, someone would say, “Jen, is that an Aussie accent I hear?!” and later agree, “Oh yes, I can definitely here the accent when you say that word, Jen!” One individual even began laughing: “I’m sorry, now that I first heard it, your accent sounds so obvious!” I don’t think Jordan was very impressed in these moments of the conversation! In an attempt to give him some Aussie credit, I asked “Don’t you think Jordan sounds more Aus than me?” The reply: “No, I definitely hear an accent with you.”

Sorry babe!

 

Catching Up with Friends

“Good friends are like stars; you don’t always see them, but you know they are always there.” While incredibly true, there is nothing more special than having the opportunity to hang together!

 

 

 

The Wedding

 

My word. I don't even know what to say. There are so many incredible, beautiful memories to share about Jase and Emma's wedding that I don't know where to even begin!

 

From preparing the final details to Lavigne-Stevenson family bonding time; from wedding party prayers to downright hilarious jokes; from brother hugs to mother-daughter 'girl' time; from ceremony tears to reception conversations; from "welcome to the family" to "see you later"; this wedding encapsulated everything a wedding celebration should be.

 

No amount of rain could dampen such tangible love. Jase and Emma showcase the love of God - you can see it in their eyes alone. Matthew 6:22 says that "the eye is the lamp of the body." With Jase and Emma, it is indubitably evident how much the love of God is in them - their eyes can't help but share it!

 

I am so proud to be a part of this family. It is already such a joy to see what God is doing in and through each of their lives. I think it is safe to say that there is an exciting future ahead!

 

 

 

 

Cottage Life

 

 

 

Waves crashing

Birds singing

Leaves whispering

Wood crackling

 

 

 

 

 

The irreplaceable sounds of nature at the cottage are beautifully silencing.

It’s being enveloped by nature; it’s reminiscing past events; it’s stirring the soul to speak.

No matter how many places I may have the opportunity to explore, Muskoka will always remain my number one destination.

 

“What did you enjoy most about your trip home" you ask?  Aside from the most incredible wedding ever, I honestly really appreciated the sense of home, the opportunity to be with family and to partake in our typical family activities.

 

For the Lobbezoo family that looks like family chats in the living room, regular trips to the local ice cream shop, campfires and watersports.

 

For the Lavigne family that looks like hilarious comments and jokes, card games, wave jumping on the SeaDoo, and reading books on the patio. 

 

Before arriving, part of me wanted to take the opportunity to explore some of the local natural areas that I have never explored - thanks to all the #discoverontario Instagrams, but in reality, our time was dedicated to family. And this reality satisfied me more than I could have imagined.

 

Why?

Because there truly is nothing like home.

Il n'y a rien de comparable à sa maison.

 

 

 

Until next time!