5 Things Dave Can’t Live Without

1. Family

My beautiful wife, Michelle, is my rock. She’s a compassionate Naturopathic Doctor. She is the Peanut butter (natural, organic of course) to my jelly. You could do without the jelly, but you definitely couldn’t do without PB. She has given me the two best gifts of my life, Isla (5) and Emiko (3). My nightly routine of book and giggle time; games of Rock Paper Scissors and back tickles melt my heart.

2. Juno.

Our 9 year old rescue Great Dane. She is more than just a part of the family, Juno, provides me a sense of calm and comfort in life’s quieter moments. She’s my best connection to nature through our long morning walks in the conservation trails of Guelph. I have only known a couple of my 37 years without a dog, but I can say with certainty my life is better and I am a better person because of my dog.

3. Competition.

I have an innate drive to compete. I don’t need everything to be a competition, but I’d be unsatisfied if nothing was. As a kid it was hockey and lacrosse, as an adult I now turn to squash to fill that craving. As I write this I’m thinking I should probably let my daughters and nieces win at board games more.

4. Community Shared Agriculture.

We go through A LOT of veggies in our house. But even some of the healthiest foods in the grocery store contain harmful chemicals and genetic modifications. One thing that has made this easier is our weekly delivery of organic foods – right to our doorstep! The CSA eases our weekly grocery shopping AND supports sustainable, local farming. (Aside: the CSA narrowly beat out potato chips for this spot...so my diet is far from perfect).

5. Building.

I love to envision physical transformations, what a building or space could be. It’s less of a hobby and more of an obsession I have difficulty controlling that has caused my family more moves and renovations than they ever wanted in a lifetime. I’m not the can make, build or create anything type handyman, that’s my versatile problem-solving dad (we would have made a great construction team). I like the process of working through an interesting project from start to finish. If I went back to school I think architectural design would be my second calling.