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We recently flew to Alberta to attend the wedding of the daughter of a good friend of ours. The wedding day had all of the components that make up an ideal day for me.

We got to travel, something that both my wife Karalee and I really enjoy. While we love travelling with one or more of our three children, there is something extra special about travelling when it is just the two of us. Being with Karalee is part of my ideal day.

Family is important to both Karalee and I. For the weekend, we stayed with Karalee’s sister-in-law at their home near Warburg in the country side to the West of Edmonton. We got to visit with all three of our nephews and nieces and our sister-in-law Carol. Family is part of my ideal day.

I grew up in Edmonton. One strong memory I have of growing up was of the brightness of the blue sky and the gorgeous fall colors as the leaves change. I woke up early and took a walk in the bright sunshine taking photographs of the country side and fall trees. Photography or visual arts are also part of my ideal day.

The wedding was late in the day, so we had a relaxed lunch before Karalee and I needed to get dressed for the wedding. Relaxing and lack of time pressure are part of my ideal day.

We drove from Warburg to Drayton Valley, about an hour away on the highway. Along the way, I enjoyed the prairie fields and fall harvest, bringing back memories of my youth. I felt connected to my family who all still live in Alberta.

Five years ago, Karalee’s best friend Bobbie Robinson was tragically killed in a head on crash just outside Drayton Valley. Bobbie and Kit’s daughter Brandy Robinson was getting married to Ryan Fredrickson. During the drive we shared and remembered many experiences Karalee and Bobbie shared, including when Bobbie and Brandy visited our sailboat in Tunisia. Remembering powerful experiences is part of my ideal day.

We arrived at the wedding location in good time. We saw Brandy right away and like all brides she looked beautiful. We visited with Brandy’s Dad Kit and all of Bobbie’s sisters before finding our place at the wedding. Connecting is part of my ideal day.

Brandy had given each of us a card for a person to find and introduce ourselves to. Karalee and I went off exploring and meeting new people, getting a chance to have new experiences, something that I include in my ideal day.

It was an emotional wedding. More so than usual, as we all felt Bobbie’s presence. We all had tears when Brandy shared her powerful emotions when she talked about her Mom during the ceremony. Experiencing powerful emotions is part of my ideal day.

Dinner was a beautiful buffet. Did I mention that sharing good food and conversation is part of my ideal day? After dinner a live band took to the stage. Karalee and I danced and visited for four hours. Music is part of my ideal day.

At 2:00 am, we left the wedding hall. Karalee fell asleep as I drove down a quiet Alberta highway in the dark with music playing on the stereo. I had a lot of gratitude for Karalee’s and my thirty years of marriage, our family, friends, and the connections between all of them. Gratitude is part of my ideal day.

Family, travel, Karalee, connection, food, time, connection, photography, and gratitude are all part of my ideal day. I am fortunate that some part of my ideal day is part of every day for me. I want to thank Becky Robinson of Weaving Influence for telling me about Jason Womack and to Jason for his Ideal Day Contest.

I want to end by thanking Brandy and Ryan Fredrickson for the invitation to share their special day. May you find more of your own ideal days to share with each other.