They climbed the ski hill!
Tom in his suit, Kim in her wedding dress - my son and his new wife shared the joy of their most wondrous day with beautiful weather, a loving family, and a spectacular view!
It's about a 900-foot climb for a spectacular view looking out over Georgian Bay - an iconic view for them since so much of their relationship over the past 12-year years evolved on the slopes. My son and his new wife were determined to do it, and succeeded, with their intrepid photographer Sam Gaetz of Gaetz Photography - a childhood friend, and in the small world department, the daughter of someone I went to high school with so many years ago.
My wife and I were asked to welcome the bride into our family, and in my remarks, I used 3 words that define my new daughter-in-law Kim as I have watched her grow over the years from a young teenager into the young woman that she is today:
- fierce determination
- staggering creativity
- deep love and caring for all who are around her
Even before they began their trek up the hill - she holding her veil in her arms as they progressed - I had realized that Kim defines herself by her determination to get something done. She has made the trek up the hill many times through our winters and summers at the club - it is a wonderful aerobic workout, and the hill is often busy with many who have made the trek. I understand that it was her goal on her wedding day to do the same, regardless of her attire. The weather cooperated in spectacular fashion, and many of us watched from far below on the deck of the lodge as they made their progress up the hill.
What a goal - and what determination!
Our motivation for innovation, creativity, and the future need not always come from the business world - it can be derived from the moments of beauty and inspiration we see in the world around us. For me and for so many others at the wedding, watching this new young husband and wife make their way slowly up the dirt track up the 'mountain' was a powerful motivational moment.
In my mind, the phrase 'fierce determination' remained in my head and never left.