Could you imagine how I felt 5 years ago when my dear friend- who had just separated and was moving back to Toronto- called me from Winnipeg to say "Nance here is my budget, the girls and I need to live close to you and yours, find me a house"

In that moment, with the phone in my ear, I looked out my back window absentmindedly, and there it was- a house for sale! This is the kind of magic that fills my days.

Sam bought that house and our lives became better instantly. Our shrinking family swelled back up. A friend right there- a sneeze away- who has everything you need when you need it- a great listener, someone who always says 'yes' to fun, the better cook between us and host to countless JORO dinners, a share in carpool, movie night, trip to the AGO, laughter, tears, my divorce buddy, extra closet of clothes, a shared glass of wine, small business advice go to girl, yoga pal, soul sister. A more generous person I have never met and especially in the way she excuses my gross shortcomings!

Sometimes when people say " I don't know how you do it all" I say " I have Sam"

That same house is for sale again. She is moving. Not far- just a 5 minute walk instead of 1 minute walk- but it is the end of an era. An era I have adored.