I took my son skating for the first time last week. To say I was excited was an understatement, I was overcome with emotions as I saw him step on the ice for the first time. This has been something I have been looking forward to doing for years. So having it come true today meant a lot to me.
My love affair involving skating began when I was very young. My parents bought my first set of skates when I was two, and by three I was cruising around the ice. I grew up in the country which meant we were living on skates in the winter months. Whether it was on the rink our dads built or the great ice surface created on the pond, you could find my family and I on the ice. Each weekend we would organize a neighborhood hockey game, kids often taking on adults. I quickly realized how much I enjoyed being on the ice and wanted to be involved more.
When I was 4 years old I joined figure skating. I participated in other sports for a few years, but as I got older I decided I wanted to take figure skating more seriously. I loved the competition aspect of skating, but I also loved teaching younger children to learn how to skate. I wanted to share my passion for skating with others. It was so much fun, and a great skill to have as a child. I loved watching the smiles on the younger kids faces, and enjoyed watching them grow into good skaters.
I eventually decided to stop skating when I was in high school. My passion never faded for the sport, and although I wasn’t competing anymore, I still pulled out my skates a lot and enjoyed the canal. I remember thinking, I can’t wait until I have a family of my own, who I can share this passion with, and teach to skate.
So when my son and I ventured on the ice together, along with Papa, it brought back so many great memories of my youth. I don’t care if my children are hockey players or figure skaters, but I want to them to enjoy and share some of the same memories I had as a child. To learn, and form a community around a certain hobby, teaches us so much. As parents it gives us the opportunity to teach and interact with our children on a different level
For me and my family, it offers an activity that we can do together and keeps us active during those cold months. I can’t wait for our next adventure on ice. On the top of our list this year is the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa.
See you on the ice!
What are some of your childhood memories you can’t wait to share with your family?
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