Everything Happens For A Reason- How We Met....

I believe everything happens for a reason. I believe we have a purpose, I believe falling in love is a gift and I believe that being diagnosed with cervical cancer was not the worst thing that could have happened to me. Believe me when I say I would have preferred to have not gone through a single thing that I had too, but with out having that harsh life experience, I would have missed out on something that could be life altering for me. This is hard for me to write, because now I'm involving someone else. Now he, can read this, and although he knows exactly how I feel, so does everyone else, and I am very content with keeping our relationship just that, ours. However, I promised to keep this real and in that regard I'm going to explain how something so terrible led to what has become something so wonderful, so exhilarating, that I didn't even know I could feel like this.

I was privileged enough to be one of the honorary co-chairs for the Pink In The Rink campaign with the Canadian Cancer Society and Peterborough Petes to raise awareness and money to help aid in the fight against Women's Health. With this came the responsibility of press and media. Something that made me nervous but I was very excited to do. One of my press appearances was on a radio show, and it was at 8:00 in the morning. Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a morning person, so this was going to be a challenge but this cause was near and dear to my heart and I would not let it down. Luckily it was a radio appearance so I didn't have to doll up and could pretty much wear my pajamas. I was decked out in lulu leggings, uggs, a blue baseball cap, my glasses and a black zip up hoodie. Not something you plan on meeting someone in. I maybe had a little mascara on, because I have blonde eyelashes and look like I have none with out. My hair was in a pony tail and I clutched my Tim Hortons 1/2 Coffee 1/2 Hot chocolate for dear life as I begged for some mental clarity to not mess this up. I arrived a little early (I know... weird... especially for me) and was finally let inside. I went up to the studios and walked into the one on the right. There was a guy and a girl and it was very cool, exactly what you picture a radio station to look like. He had these eyes, that pierced right through me, and I was instantly smiling, I didnt care that I was in 8am mode. He made me feel so comfortable and told me to put my stuff in the corner and hang out, because I wasn't scheduled to be on the air for about a half an hour. I sat and watched as he did his thing and was in awe of how exciting it was. I also had another appearance on the sister station two steps away, so he walked me over to do that first. After that I went back and did the show with him and the GM of the Pete's. The interview felt like it was just him and I. He made me smile, he said things that made me feel like he completely understood, and I was immediately intrigued. I tried to keep it professional because I was there on very serious matters but something inside me was very curious. A feeling I couldn't remember the last time I felt.

I left with a jump in my step and a smile bigger than normal. I had no idea what was happening but I liked it. We have a mutual friend at the radio station and so I got his information to email B for the clip of our interview. His voice, I didn't notice it at the station, but I got warm and fuzzy when I heard it again. Ugh I was being a total girl. We flirted a little through email and that was basically that. He was trying to remain professional too.

I had a PSA to record at the station and originally missed it because of my flight delay back in Philly. My dad being the gem he is, knew about my crush and had it rescheduled so that I could go into the studio to do it. I recorded the PSA for the event and E, who helped me record it, and I became instant friends. We had B, (my crush) take a pic of us, and I was so excited to say hi. He asked if I wanted to come in and do another interview right before the event and I immediately jumped at the chance for more time with him. I couldn't explain it, he was someone I wanted to get to know. He's well known, but I had never heard of him. He's tall and smart and funny and sincere, and I just can only describe the feeling as intense curiosity as to who this person was and why they were drawing me in hook, line and sinker.

The time came for me to do my interview with him and I woke up that morning feeling MISERABLE. I facebook messaged him because we were yet to be text buddies. I apologized and asked if we could move it to the next day. He was so gracious and understanding although he had already promoted it for the day and we were scheduled for the next morning. (He later told me that he would never have done that for anyone else ::HUGE SMILE::)

The next morning while I was getting ready, because I may have put a little more effort in this time, we were facebook chatting. I put on the radio to listen to his show while I got ready and for the second or third time the song "Timber" by Kesha and PitBull was the first song I heard. He had also sent me a message which put a little hop in my step and so obviously I responded:

Now the radio dj's usually pick their line up ahead of time at the beginning of their show. (I know this now) So when the next song was Imagine Dragons "Demons" I lit up like a freaking christmas tree. "Did you do that on purpose"... I asked later, to which I got a "Maybe". It was on, like freaking Donkey Kong!


I arrived and did a quick interview with their sister station and then got to head back over to him. His co-host was out sick that day and so it was just the two of us. I was unusually giggly (Who was this person I had become and why) and we had a great interview. He told me I could stay a little while and hang out and so I did.

Towards the end of hanging out in the studio, I decided to stop being shy and put it out there. I didn't have anything to lose.

"Hey so are you going to be at the event tomorrow night?"

To which he replied

"Umm Yea I'll probably stop by"

-I later learned he had no intention of going, but I may have persuaded him. #ForTheWin

"Ok cool, well you should text me when you're there and we can grab a drink or something."

I knew he didn't have my number and was hoping I would get the exact response I got...

"I actually don't think I have your number"

PERFECT! Exactly how I wanted it to go down.

"Here well, let me give it to you! Oh I don't know how to work your phone, I apologize, My name is in all caps, I promise I'm not yelling at you!"

I may have been a little nervous. He responded with

"hahah no worries, it makes you stand out"

and that was how I got my nickname All Caps.

Later that morning I got a text...

The next night, was the event. I made time to see him. He was the only person I made time to sit down and actually have a drink with and I was nervous but it was fabulous! I had so many people I wanted to see, and so many people I did see... but the 10 minutes I got to spend with him, made my night. I told him to come to the after party and although there were complications with that, he came. I don't think I paid attention to anyone else that night, we said our good byes and little did I realize this was the beginning of something incredible. We would be attached at the hip.

You don't think anyone will want to be with you after you've been through an ordeal, or multiple for that matter like I have. I'm a liability. I can't have children, and realistically how sexy is cancer around your lady bits. But when you meet someone who tells you upfront they know, and it doesn't bother them, you feel like you've won the lottery. (Although I joke that I'm the winning lottery ticket considering you a. don't have to worry about me PMSing [no period] and b. No biological clock) I had no problem being single. I was happy and I knew my time would come, little did I realize it would happen when I least expected it, and now I wouldn't have it any other way.

This was over seven weeks ago and although everything has gone at rapid speed, something is special about this relationship. He has already seen me at my worst, while dealing with my ovarian cyst ordeal and the narcotic induced haze that came along with that. In fact seeing me at my worst is an understatement, he was there taking care of me, while at my worst. Things haven't been perfect and things haven't been easy, but this has made me feel .... just like there was a part of me missing, that I didn't even realize wasn't there and its no longer suddenly gone. The next few weeks will be hard, because I'll be heading to the states for check ups, but if absence makes the heart grow fonder, things will only continue on their path of just getting better.

He's wonderful and I'm happy, and I'm sure will become a main component of the blog from herein out, another thing that makes him so amazing

"It's your thing, write what you want to write."

So I will try to keep our relationship to just us, but in relation to my health, it will be mentioned. Who knows, maybe I'll throw in an anecdote or two ;)

Pink In The Rink - The Event

Months of planning. Weeks of preparation, anticipation, interviews, and promoting. All cultivating in a fabulous night for an incredible cause. Its come, its gone, and I wouldn't change a single thing.

When I first got the call to be a part of this event, it wasn't even a question that it was a huge honor and that I was going to do everything in my power to be available and to help make it a success. I knew it would be time consuming but it wasn't about me as an individual it was about what I could do to help people on a MUCH larger scale. Realistically this wasn't about my dad and I, this wasn't about the Pete's, this was about doing everything in my power to use my past experiences to help raise money so that no one would have to go through what I have been through. Its not fun, and its nothing that anyone should have to deal with. Not the patient, not their friends and family, no one. So for me, if someone said jump, I said "How freaking high?"

I also knew doing this event was going to be a risk for me personally. I was risking hurting my mom's feelings because I knew she would feel left out and unappreciated. However, for me, it was still something I wanted to do because this isn't about us, this is about Women's Health and all of the people I could help by getting involved. The theme was Daddy's Girls, and so while promoting it, it focused on my relationship with my dad. If the theme was Mommy's girls, then that would have been a different story and because we were working with the Pete's, my dad's hockey alma mater, that too would alienate my mother. I was right and she was very offended, felt unappreciated and reinforced why having divorced parents who do not get along is not fun for anybody. There are two sides to every story and the truth but this wasn't about her. This was also something I decided to do for me, and anyone who I could help, because this last diagnosis is realistically the first time I have openly talked about what I have gone through. My mom was a HUGE part of my recovery and with out her, I would most likely not be here. My sister and she were there for the worst of times and with out them I would not be the woman I am today. So in honor of Women's health, I thank them for being there for me to shape me into the woman I am today.

The MAIN Event:
It was fabulous. I got to do a couple interviews before the game. One radio, and one TV. I was so nervous. I then found out we would be doing the puck drop too. I whispered to my dad before we went out "Do NOT let me fall" lol. I could totally picture myself pulling a JLAW circa Oscars 2013.

There was an opening ceremonies which included a video BrandHealth did, which was incredible. The gist was Heaven, with angels awaiting my arrival.... 2003, "Nope She's not coming" 2006 ... "Nope, Still Not coming." 2008 "Ok She's still not coming whats going on?" 2013- "Ok Clearly she doesnt want to come" .... Its the perfect metaphor because I wont give up my fight against cancer. I wont give up the fight for other people battling cancer and being their voice.

Everything went swimmingly, no falls. I then got to rush around the rink during the game, because so many friends and family and co workers came to support me and I couldn't have been happier. This night was not only a fundraiser to support women's health, but personally a celebration that I was ok. I may have even had a date this night, but this is for a later post, because I know you're all DYING to know why I haven't posted lately.

The event raised around $40,000 and I am ecstatic. After the game, we got to go down to the ice with the team to take pics on the ice. In true Courtney fashion... I ran... in 4" heeled boots with my honorary Pink in the Rink Jersey on. I was a little too eager. As I darted across the ice, I just about made it until at the last minute I felt my heel slip out from under me and I knew the inevitable was coming. Yoga balance or whatever, I just about caught myself, along with the goalie's lap. I figured this would be a good spot for my place in the pic and had a soaking wet bum the rest of the night.

After the arena we went to Spanky's where we had quite the after party. It didn't take long for Britney to come on and me to end up on the bar. Here are the pics from the night. Thank you to everyone who was a huge support. TO the people who supported me through the nerve wracking press interviews (which turned out to lead to something fabulous... but again more on that later) and to everyone who came out and donated. I'm truly touched by your generosity and am so proud and humbled by everyone who helped aid in the fight to support women's health!
(My assistant for the evening who kept me on track! Thank You C)

(Some Friends, Epic Boss, and more friends)

(Some Adorable Mini Fans!)

(Dad and I with Danielle from Energy 99.7 and Country 105.1- and then Britney's "Toxic" on the Bar)

Little did I realize how much this event would change my life. I say everything happens for a reason, and it does. I would not have been able to be a part of this with out my diagnosis of cervical cancer. I would not have gotten to do all of the press interviews and I would not have gotten to meet someone who has turned my world upside down, in the best way possible.
Everything does happen for a reason and although I repeat it constantly....

Pink in the Rink - Canadian Cancer Society and the Petes- Press Week!

There are those days where you wonder, what is the meaning of life? Does my life have meaning? Am I just exhausted and/or being philosophical. This week, I kind of feel awesome because I feel like my life has meaning. I'm exhausted and completely out of my element but having so much fun!

Ok but all jokes aside, when you can take your circumstances and turn them into something positive, thats what really living life is all about. For me, I've been given the honor of being an honorary co-chair of the Peterborough Petes and Canadian Cancer Society's 5th Annual Pink in the Rink event on February 6th. I'm being given the opportunity to help promote and support a cause that has not only affected me greatly, but to give back and potentially help people so they don't have to go through what I have been through. This is giving meaning to an experience that has quite frankly sucked. Even if I help one person, this will all have been worth it!

The theme is Daddy's Girls. So my other honorary co-chair is none other than my good old pops. It's awesome because he played for the Pete's and NHL so combining the two of us (because I'm a huge Daddy's Girl) and Hockey (because he's a hockey player) and Cancer (because well I kind of have experience in that field) is the perfect metaphorical fusion.

So we started out with a press tour of sorts to announce the theme "Daddy's Girls" and the honorary Co-Chairs.

While waiting to get started, I was pretty nervous. That morning, I had no idea what to wear, what to say, and my dad completely color coordinated with me... his idea!

Everything went really well, and I got to meet a bunch of really cool people. It was quite the experience. They unveiled the Peterborough Pete's (Which is Peterborough's OHL Hockey team) PitR T-shirts which are really nice! (See above)
I got to do some awesome interviews which turned out really great. Here are some of the articles...

Peterborough This Week

Sports Xpress

The Peterborough Examiner

Go Petes Go

We got a Chex News Segment which can be seen here:

and a few radio interviews. The one with Miles Gibney which one can be heard here.
I wish I could post all of the radio interviews because the one with Bill Porter and Mel Hannah on Energy 99.7 was so much fun. We were also on Country 105.1. Despite the 7:30 am wake up- it was really cool to get into the studio and see how its done.

Soooo there was lots going on.
Here are some pictures from the press conference:
(Pictures courtesy of Dale Clifford from the Peterborough Examiner)

So after all of this fun jazz I got to go to a Pete's Game to meet some people and do another radio interview on Extra 90.5 with David Foot and Colin Teskey for the Petes Tailgate show. That was a blast because I got to bring my friend Caprice with me, or as we joke- my mini me/psuedo sister. We got to actually watch the game which was kind of a nice break. Veggies, hockey, wine and boys- My kind of night!

Then... there was the commercial. BrandHealth was nice enough to shoot a commercial for us. They gave us a FABULOUS creative team and we got to work. I met with them the Monday before the press conference to go over the concepts and scripts. I can honestly say after this entire process, I have so much more respect for anything film, tv related, its not even funny!

I was so nervous on my way to the commercial... trying to memorize my lines... again.

I will update with a clip of the commercial when it becomes available.

UPDATED: Here is Commercial!!!!

So we got to film at my highschool Lakefield College School which was so much more reassuring because it felt like home. That place was where some of my most crucial developmental years were taken from me by disease and they still managed to make some of the best memories of my life happen, including my graduation. I honestly have a connection with that place that is beyond describable and of all the privileges in my life, being able to attend there is pretty high on that list.

I got to bring lots of clothing changes...

I got to visit a few teachers and staff, but wish I had more time to go and visit more. I'll be back soon.

The shoot was amazing. I got to work with Denise Oucharek (She was the lady in the Philadelphia Cream Cheese commercials!) I was so intimidated because she totally knew what she was doing and I could barely remember my 5 lines. #Starstruck. Everyone made it so much easier for me, which is great because it probably wasn't easy working with an amateur.

At the end of the day we got the shot...I hope. We had to improvise with a few things but I'm hoping it came out ok. I can't wait to see it.

Oh and because its me: My mic didn't even need a mic holder... lets just say I had a built in pair ;)

I still have another press conference and a voice over for another commercial to do but all in all, I'm so excited and can't wait for this event!

Here is the event page to donate to Daddy's Girls.

To buy tickets.... February 6th against the Oshawa Generals and make sure to use the Promo Code "PINK" so that 4$ from each ticket goes to the cause!!!

There will be silent auctions, chuck a puck, bucket passes, and tshirt sales, plus hockey- I mean hello thats a lot of fun!
Some of the Jerseys from the last four years.

I really wanted to be more detailed with this post but this is basically the end result of my week... NEED SLEEP.

and I am working on the updates from all of my doc appointments this week in philly! I'll be flying home tomorrow!

Cant wait and remember to follow @SassyBlondeCBG on Twitter for up to date posts on whats going on, pics and all around fun.

Thanks for all the support everyone! This event is going to be a HUGE success because of all your support and that means the world to me, and Daddy's and their girls every where dealing with Women's Health Issues.

I'll leave you with this, because it has been my philosophy through this journey....

I had to miss the second day of the commercial shoot because my body basically shut down for the week. I felt terrible, because my biggest fear is letting people down, but my best friend K, sent me this and reminded me, that I'm still in recovery. I can't do it all. I'm trying and I want too but I have to be careful. J, my guru love reminded me that

"Yes you want to do your best and be your best.. But.. Are you at your absolute best at this moment? No, you're healing. Being authentic is the best way to live your life. Live with truth and purpose. It's ok if you're not 100%."

So I'm going to continue to try and be the best, but be gentle with myself in the process.

Love and Light!
xoxox
C


*All of the slightly darker texts are links. When you click it will take you to the site in which it is referring too, or personal twitter accounts for the media and their people mentioned.*