The annual Leafs vs. Canucks bestie weekend

It was the full face smile, laugh out loud reaction to spotting each other in arrivals at the airport. It was once again just like falling right back into old times, and there is nothing is better than that.

My Ontarian bestie was back, and for the first time in Whitehorse.

In our annual tradition of shared suffering, we carved out a few hours over dinner to watch the Canucks beat the Leafs.

Of course it’s all good fun, and the pain doesn’t really start until the Leafs exit in the first round again, and the Canucks fall in the draft lottery. As per tradition.

Winter walks through this beautiful little neighbourhood, the forest trails, and out to the cliffs were accompanied by thermoses of perfected glühwein.

Other days saw long drives through the mountains with warm drinks and delicious snacks, and endless nature bathing while the wind howled and the warmth of the sun continued to return, even in the -20s.

Like every visit, this was the just-so-good-for-the-soul, laughter induced cheek and stomach pain, emotionally raw weekend that makes life so special.