Bring your curiosity. There’s always more to explore.
In 2017, we had officially outgrown Vancouver and needed to find somewhere with a slower pace to raise our family—yes, you’ve heard this story many times before, but hear me out. We had some time to kill one day, so on a whim, we decided to explore the Comox Valley, with our first stop being Cumberland. It was a bluebird spring day as we strolled down the main street, stopping for coffee, taking the kids to the park and, of course, checking out the rec centre, because great programming is one sign of a thriving community.
When I opened the rec centre doors, I was met by a welcoming soul. I will never forget her bright smile, warm energy, and the way she described the Village and all its textured layers. I walked away from our conversation with a sense of yearning to be part of this vibrant fabric. As we meandered along, I picked up my very first copy of the CV Collective—a foreshadowing of sorts. As I devoured the pages of the publication, I could visualize all the adventures that lay ahead for my family.
It’s now been seven years since we moved here, and our family life has been in a constant state of exploration in every sense of the word. Every little nook and cranny, both in town and in the landscape surrounding us, has something waiting to be discovered: from geoducks (snicker) to a favourite yew tree in the forest, and perhaps the most delicious hot chocolate that ever touched my lips*. What I didn’t anticipate was how much we would learn about ourselves from pushing beyond our comfort zones and learning our limits—and the life lessons and personal growth we’d gain from these experiences.
I remember being perplexed by people who boasted about having never left the Island. Travel being my drug of choice, at first I could not comprehend the idea, but I get it now. You don’t have to roam far to find something new, as long as you bring a fresh lens and a hearty sense of curiosity. There is simply so much to discover. The ever-changing landscape lends itself to visiting a place over and over again, feeling its newness and nostalgia simultaneously.
Quite often, it is the fall season when I experience this sensation the most: the beautiful pause after the rush of summer. The rains resuscitate the forest and the cooler temperatures are inviting, providing opportunities to explore without fear of heat stroke, inner-thigh chafing, and excessive upper-lip sweat.
So when you finish wandering through the pages of this issue, get out and EXPLORE. For when you explore, you learn; when you learn, you grow; and when you grow, you strengthen the fabric of the community of which you are part.
I have been an avid collector of the Comox Valley Collective since that first day in Cumberland. I feel so fortunate and inspired to be surrounded by the talent in this region. The storytellers, the artists, the adventurers, and the collective group of humans in the background who make this place beautiful because of what they do for the community. You’re forever in my heart, wherever I may roam.
*The Biscoff Please at Dark Side Chocolates
