Michaela is a dear friend of Lauren and me. In the fall of 2004 all three of us were living in Toronto and found each other. Through a period of 2 months at the end of 2004 we spent almost everyone weekend with each other – eating together, watching movies and hanging out. Also Michaela became my housemate for a short period as well.
During that period in my life I was living at home alone while my parents were living in Trinidad. These 2 women- Michaela from London, England and Lauren from Melbourne, Australia; brought fun and lots of singing into my life. As well as the idea and the revelation of travelling the world into my life.
During this period of time I was also going through some life changes. The need to change my body weight because of hypertension. I joined the local gym and Michaela and I became gym buddies. She had joined the gym 2 months prior. On Saturday’s we would go together and then have brunch at the sunset grill, go to Sunday morning spinning classes and at 6:30am on weekdays in the cold dreary morning of January and February 2005.
As a housemate Michaela and I would share cooking duties and cook on alternate days. One night after returning from one of my gym sessions with a personal trainer; I was tired and hungry. Michaela cooked a steak with over baked veggies. I remember eating a whole steak and veggies very quickly and thankful for such a tasty and hearty meal. Not having to resort to buying a pizza which I would have gladly done, but it would not have been very healthy.
In March 2005 Michaela left Toronto to head back home to London. Over the course of 3 months she would meet the man (Guy) of her dreams. But she would have to go live in Helsinki, Finland to be with him. Before she moved to Helsinki, I visited her in London, England and started my travelling adventures outside of North America. A year later she was engaged, pregnant and married in September 2006. Just days before I was to go to her wedding, I broke my foot and went to her wedding with a cast and crutches.
In February 2007, Grace was born. Throughout the course of 2007 and 2008 we received pictures and movies of beautiful Grace.
When the time came to go back home to Toronto, we could not pass up the opportunity to visit with Michaela, Guy and baby Grace.
Unfortunately we didn’t get to spend much time with Grace and Guy, as they went off on a father and daughter trip. But we got to meet them and know who they are. Grace will not remember us, but we will remember her. She looks like her mother and her smile lights up a room and make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Being with Michaela, Lauren and I felt like we had never been apart. It didn’t feel different or weird. She had a husband and baby now but she was still our dear friend and a reason we will keep coming back to Helsinki.
