Monday, Feb. 11, is a time to celebrate. And no, I don't mean just a celebration of a day off work.
Feb. 11 is the inaugural Family Day in B.C. - the first official holiday dedicated to families.
I am very close to my family. I'm the oldest of three children in the Jacques' clan. My twin brother and sister are five years younger than me, and they and my parents all live in the Lower Mainland.
Last August, my sister gave birth to her first child. Payton is a bundle of joy and she has made our family even more tightly knit. This past Christmas was made all the more special because it was Payton's first. We reflected on how much she has impacted all our lives and enriched us as a family. Needless to say I'm one proud uncle and every chance I get I'm showing off new photos to my coworkers here at the office.
This is family to me. Sharing moments of joy and togetherness, and this is what Family Day is all about.
Family Day is also a day to celebrate being together and enjoying the wonderful place in which we live -B.C. and the fabulous Sunshine Coast.
We are so blessed and fortunate to live in this province, and every time I look out my window and see the beautiful mountains and wonderful scenery, I can't help but feel some extra pride knowing what my extended family are going through in the harsh winter conditions in Saskatchewan where I was born and grew up.
Yes, we are the envy of many Canadians.
This Monday, get out there and spend time with your family. There are a multitude of events and activities planned on the Sunshine Coast where you can have some fun, laugh, play, connect and enjoy the wonders of the Coast.
And thanks to the Sunshine Coast Regional District, all events at their facilities are free the whole day. (See page 33 in this week's paper for all the details.)
Up at Dakota Ridge, the SCRD is hosting an enhancement celebration in the morning to recognize the work that has been done to improve road access, parking and facilities. As part of that celebration, there are Family Day activities with snowshoe demos provided by Alpha Adventures.
If snow is not your thing, then head to the Gibsons and Area Community Centre for public skating, a parent and tot skate and family pond hockey.
The three pools on the Coast - Gibsons, Sechelt and Pender - have fun activities planned all day long at all three facilities, so head out and enjoy a dip.
YMCA Camp Elphinstone is also getting into the spirit with a full day of activities of games, arts and crafts and much more.
And if all of these events are not appealing enough, why not just get together as a family and go for a walk or a hike along the beach or the numerous trails and parks we have to explore and discover.
Whatever you do, do it with your family and celebrate with the ones you love.
