Last week marked a Maple Milestone in my life: the much-anticipated arrival of my parents in Toronto.
The past few weeks have been an emotional whirlwind. Just weeks before my parents’ arrival, I bid adieu to my roommate and settled into a new apartment, only to be blindsided by the news of losing my job at Ogilvy due to a work shortage a week later.
The shock and anxiety of re-entering the job market cast a shadow over my initial excitement. Yet, my parents’ visit turned into the perfect distraction, transforming what could have been a daunting time into an adventure filled with discovery and laughter.
Sharing my new home and exploring Toronto with the company of my mum and dad was the perfect remedy for my worries.
Welcoming My Parents to Toronto
The day of their flight, I transformed into a real-time flight tracker, following their flight from London Heathrow to make sure I arrived, a little before their place touched down at Pearson Airport. I eagerly awaited their arrival as they cleared Canadian customs and immigration and collected their bags.
After – what felt like an eternity – I saw them walking through the doors into the arrivals area and I ran up to greet them both with big hugs and lots of questions about their trip. It was so good to see them. Whilst they caught me up on the latest news from family and friends home, I loaded their bags into the car and we began the drive home – chatting a mile a minute as we drove.
True to form, my dad wasted no time in requesting a cuppa and commandeering the TV remote for some footy action, while my mum embarked on what can only be described as her very own Mary Poppins moment.
A Touch of Home: My Mum’s Mary Poppins Moment
Watching my mum unpack their suitcases was like witnessing magic unfold. From vacuum-sealed bags emerged mountains of goodies from home—chocolates, biscuits, bed linens, and cherished photographs— each item brought a piece of the UK to my Toronto apartment and a smile to my face.
With a good night’s sleep under our belts, we dove headfirst into exploring Toronto’s neighbourhoods and attractions. Although I’ve lived here a little over 6 months, work had kept me from truly exploring, making this adventure a discovery for all.
Every day was jam packed with activity. From retail therapy at the Eaton Centre, to eating our way through Kensington and St Lawrence Markets; we savoured every moment. No trip to Toronto is complete without a visit to the CN Tower, where we enjoyed the breathtaking views from the observation deck before enjoying 360 degree sunset views of the city and dinner.
The next day we enjoyed a ball game, watching an eventful game between the Jays and Red Sox.
A Weekend in Niagara Falls
One of the highlights of their visit was a weekend in Niagara Falls. It’s hard to describe the sheer power and beauty of the falls in any words that can do them justice. The Maid of the Mist treated us to a splash of reality. In the evening, we walked along the promenade, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere – reminiscent of Blackpool Pleasure Beach – and the stunning night view of the falls from our hotel room.
Next, Niagara-on-the-Lake beckoned where we enjoyed a traditional english Ploughman’s lunch at the Old Angel Inn and ate more maple fudge than should be allowed.
Before heading back to the city, we crossed the border and took the short drive to the Walden Galleria in Buffalo, where my mum shopped some more before indulging in cheesecake delights at the Cheesecake Factory.
A Visit to St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market
Another highlight was a day trip to St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, in the heart of Mennonite country, where we browsed through stalls brimming with fresh produce, homemade jams, and artisanal crafts.
While showing my parents around was wonderful, the shadow of my recent job loss was never far from my mind. Amidst the uncertainty, their visit was a sanctuary of joy and connection, proving that life’s journey is best travelled with loved ones by your side.
They reminded me that setbacks are temporary and that something better is always around the corner.
Before I knew it, it was time for them to head back to the airport for their flight home and I found myself returning to an empty house. I’ve never missed my parents as much as I did that night.
