So, going back to the peachy life; until I was 18 one could say I had the picture-perfect life. I lived in a big house on the lake in McKenzie. I went on trips to Hawaii, my whole family had quads and we would go glamping which was not really a thing back then. My Dad owned an oil company and retired at 43 years old. Yup peachy from the outside.

*I will be doing a blog on my Dad and Mom later (They both have cool stories so stay tuned)

Life-Changing Moments

So now here’s where things got not so peachy. On February 2, 2003, I was woken up by my older brother (who I love, adore, and don’t tell him enough) wanting me to come downstairs to where my mom was. You know when people tell you to trust your gut and your intuition. Well, oddly enough in this moment I learned that. For some reason, I just knew that when the paramedics came downstairs to talk to us that they would be telling me that my Dad had passed away. It’s hard to explain that moment and it was like it was in slow motion but what I know now is that this day ended up being the greatest lesson I have learned in life thus far.

It ripped my heart wide open. It taught me who my real friends were (Kerry would literally wait for me to get home in my house at night just to make sure I was ok). It taught me life is precious, so we must live it to the fullest. I have a bucket list and I try to check off 2 things every year. It also taught me to be ok with my life and not to have regrets because my life could be over tomorrow. It taught me to allow only positive people in my life who bring good to it. It taught me that love has no end. 18 years later I still love my Dad as much as I did then, and I still feel his love. It taught me that my Mom and Brother are warriors. It taught me to appreciate life. I will be forever grateful for the greatest lesson I have learned in my life which happened to be on the worst day of my life.

Skip ahead 3 months to one of my favorite humans I have ever known; my cousin Carlen passed away. He was one of the two people that showed me a way of living life like no others have. He was one of the funniest, most fearless, and kindest people I knew. I went to visit him a month after my Dad passed and I was having a moment and he looked at me gave me a hug and said “Bob-o (childhood nickname that I am still called today) don’t ever lose that smile on your face. I wouldn’t want it any other way. “ That was the last time I saw him and at that moment I felt great sadness but it was also at that moment that I learned I am going to do my best to make people smile for the rest of my life. Carlen made me smile in a time I didn’t feel like smiling. That was one of the greatest gifts and lessons I learned. 

Important People

Now I am going to tell you about another important person in my life. Brian Carlin is the person who owns the brokerage I work at. I was this 21-year-old kid looking to buy a house. I remember driving around with him and talking with him. What he doesn’t know is that he is one out of the two people in my life that gave me true and honest advice after my Dad passed. I started thinking back then maybe I should become a REALTOR® but back then I didn’t quite believe in myself yet.

This brings me to the second person who cared after my Dad passed which is Jay Haralson. I got a job at a bank. I was just floating through life. Jay pulled me aside one day and gave me a lecture which wasn’t a lecture but someone who cared enough to give me a much-needed kick in the pants. He asked me what I’m doing with my life? Why am I ok with where I’m at? He saw something bigger in me and let me know that. So that’s when I decided to open a Jugo Juice at 25, which ended up being the second greatest lesson in my life.

My Jugo Juice was a complete disaster. I learned lots and I did grow a business, but it wasn’t for me. I hated running that store. But what it did do was light a fire inside me to do something better and gave me the confidence to go after what I should have done when I was 21 and become a REALTOR® at RE/MAX Landan for Brian Carlin. Running that Jugo Juice, I learned that I am good with people and that I love building business relationships. So here I am 15 years later writing a blog post for my real estate website. What Brian and Jay don’t realize is that they showed me what being a good person is about when I didn’t have too many decent humans in my life. Which also taught me about loyalty. I will forever be grateful for them and as long as I am a REALTOR® I will be one at RE/MAX Landan. 

I met this kid named Jarret in my teens and it’s funny I never cared for him much. He came back into my life when I opened my Jugo Juice. He’s the second person in my life that taught me how to live this life with passion. I’m forever grateful. He was another person in my life taken too soon.  He accomplished so much in his short life. He inspired me and continues to this very day. This was also a reminder to tell people how you feel. Don’t leave things left unsaid. My favorite quote from a tv show reminds me of him, “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.” That’s Jarret in a nutshell and that’s how I strive to live my life. This was the moment when I decided it was time to live life to its fullest and it was my time to start shining.

The people I admire the most have the most fascinating life stories and have usually had it the hardest. (I’ll be blogging about some of these people with their permission of course.)

One of my favorite people to listen talk about their life is my dear friend Christian Twomey. He doesn’t know how truly remarkable he is. I admire him so much. 

One of my biggest life lessons is learning from people and listening to their stories. Things aren’t always what they seem so don’t judge a book by its cover. My Momma taught me that. Did you know the guy that founded the coffee shop Second Cup was homeless? Amazing right? 

Life – Growing & Shaping

With all the loss in my life at such a young age it shaped me into the person I am today. From these traumas, I have learned that I have so much to give. I have this overwhelming feeling to make the world a better place for others but in the simplest of ways. By making someone laugh or just being there to listen. I feel my heart got bigger with every single horrible thing I have experienced and for that I am grateful. If I can help someone not feel the way I did at my lowest, I am winning at life. Keep your head up and your heart strong.

Never give up, you can be and do anything you want in life; my dad taught me this not just by telling me but showing me. 

I believe we should help people and support people so when I put my mind to this, I give everything I’ve got to those people. Why not lift people up? Why not help people be better?

Lots of times I feel the weight of the world. So, because of this, I strive to be better every day. The world can be a better place and there is lots of amazing people in this world. 

Love of Real Estate

I love real estate because my success is my success. I love negotiating and learning more about people. I think what sets me apart is that I’m super passionate about not just the transaction but making my client's lives better. I feel like I am meant to do this and I’m excited for many more years to come. 

A Little Insider Information

My hobbies and passions - Shooting guns, sports, riding motorcycles, quadding, dirt biking, playing the piano, and hockey. I played hockey most of my childhood and teens. I learned to golf as a young kid but have only started enjoying it and appreciating it not because of the sport but because of the mental challenge it is and it’s a great way to spend time with people you love. My two favourite things to do are going to live professional sporting events and concerts. Music has helped heal me in lots of ways. I also love that it brings back memories of moments in your life and of the people you love. 

I love spending time with my nephews Cole and Luke. They have given me a new sense of joy and faith in this world because of their pure innocent hearts. I love them as if they were my own. Thank you, Kerry, for making me an auntie. ❤️ I believe things and people come into your life for a reason and everything is a learning experience.

Why random acts of kindness mean so much to me

I believe the little things are the big things. I’ve had people buy coffee for me ahead of me in a drive-through and something so simple changed my day around. I always say a smile goes a long way. Appreciate the beauty around you for example Calgary’s beautiful sky. I have truly learned you get what you give in life.  

The causes I am most passionate about

• Making the world a better place for children
• Hunger and homelessness - with all the wealth in the world there shouldn’t be people hungry or without a home 
• Making the world a better place for animals

I am going to end this post by thanking the two most significant people in my life, which are my Mom and Dad. And share the two things that they have taught me that have stuck with me. 

My Mom always said to me “Why worry about stuff you can’t control.”

So, my advice that I have to offer in this world this far is don’t worry so much the world will catch up with you. But more importantly, you will realize that you are your own story. You create your own happiness, your success, and your own life. ❤️ Appreciate everything you go through in life and especially the hard stuff. No one has ever gotten better by sailing through life or life being easy for them. Appreciate the process.

And in my Dad’s words “Cowboy up.” Always keep going.

So, to my Mom and Dad thank you for being the best parents I could ever imagine. Thank you for giving me a childhood you both never knew. Thank you for being hard on me and every lesson you taught me and most of all thank you for showing me what unconditional love is. I know that I would not be who I am today without you. I love you and I promise to make you both proud. ❤️ 

Thank you to all that have taken the time to read this.

This was difficult for me to put out in the world, but I am happy I did. Life is about learning and growing after all. 

Love always, 

BLB