Five years ago today, I woke in up in a castle, slipped on a white dress, and then walked down to the shores of Banff Springs with my fiancé. As the sun rose above the Rocky Mountains, I held his hands in mine, while exchanging vows and exchanging rings. After the small ceremony, we went wildlife watching and discovered a mother bear with two baby bears trundling through the forest.

It was a special and enchanting day, symbolic of our marriage. Adrian continues to be an attentive husband, and I continuously feel as if I am his first priority. Even while he leads a world-class medical research laboratory, he consistently makes time for me and ensures that I have enough time to myself.

He is ceaselessly discovering ways to make me happy. During the week, he gives me two hours a day to play with Hayden, then takes care of him the rest of the time so that I can work and play and nap. During the weekend, he takes us out for meals and strolls and festivals. He finds thoughtful and charming gifts to make me smile, and always complements me on my appearance and my accomplishments.

It has been a wonderful five years of marriage.

Happy Anniversary, my love.

The month of May is fun for me, but exhausting for my boys. This year we celebrated both my birthday and my first Mother’s Day. While I was in Venice, Adrian had been busy on etsy.com and bought me lots of very thoughtful gifts.

In addition to fluffy socks, magic socks, felt owls, letterpress letters, books, and piggy banks, he commissioned an adorably cute little wooden family replica, which will also be great fun for Hayden to play with when he gets a bit older.

For Mother’s Day, Hayden presented me with a picture that included his first ever painting and a Dutch poem, though I suspect he may have had a little bit of help at the creche. Adrian gave me a digital photo frame that he had pre-loaded with hundreds of our favourite photos. Now they both grace my desk at work and bring a smile to my face every time I walk into my office space.

Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. I will be lighting a candle at 7pm as part of the International Wave of Light.