I am an Alberta Appointed Marriage Commissioner serving the City of Calgary and surrounding areas. I am 45 years old and the youngest person to receive this prestigious appointment from Minister of Service Alberta ~ ever! I have officiated over 3000+ Marriage Ceremonies over the past 11 years and truly passionate at what I do.

This path chose me. It truly was a calling - then my husband and I were married 14 years ago - it was a "light switch moment" in the actual Marriage Ceremony that THIS was what I needed to do. And I frankly went for it - ALL IN.

Family support was huge and still is. When I was appointed, I was working in the the People Department at WestJet Airlines. Weddings seemed to get busier and busier - to the point where I had to make a decision - WestJet or Weddings. I chose Weddings. Leaving WestJet was very difficult, not only leaving the culture and friends, but also the stability of a paycheque with benefits. We had 3 boys to raise. It was a massive risk - and I went all in. I would not be able to do what I do without the support of my family. My husband was working full time at WestJet as well, started another company on the side to make extra money and we started to 'flip"houses for extra income - which became a passion itself.

I get asked this a lot - and man is it hard! Sometimes there is no such thing. But usually there is. For example, you may see me with a laptop at the hockey rink, showing up to soccer games in full make-up and business suit - and sitting on the grass cheering them on. My 2 younger boys understand that their dad and I cannot be at everything (this was hard to come to terms with - I used to go to everything) but 1 of is will always be there. We rely on teamsnap, lots of texting (updates on games). I even try to plan weddings around boys schedules as much as possible and block vacation time. Grocery shopping between weddings sometimes - make every minute count. Communication between my husband and I - and the boys is essential.

This year I started travelling 1on1 with my 2 younger boys and will continue to do this until they allow me to breathe the same air as them (they are pre-teens now lol). I enjoy spending time with my Mum at the spa and walking my dog JuJu. Prayer, meditation, positive mantras are key.

Kindness, determination ( you can be both). Be ready to put long hours in, help others succeed. It is ok to say No - if it does not feel right - don't do it. Be ready to fail - learn from it, brush it off - no lingering, MOVE ON. Listen to your inner voice.

Treat others with compassion and empathy. Try to slow time down every once in a while to look around for a moment and take it all in....Be grateful. Listen to your inner voice. Help those who are in need.

Being a single parent for many years was tough. But I would never trade it in for anything. My oldest son and I were unstoppable and we were a team. He is now 21, He is no longer in my life and this is a massive loss - I have grieved for the loss of a child even though he is alive and well. It has made me want to help others in various capacities in the same position as I - that this is also an epidemic.

Being as survivor of domestic domestic violence does not define me. It is only a small part of my story and a part of my journey. I have been referred to as a liability, damaged, and a failure in the past for what has happened ... and this is simply not true. It was not my fault and we were victims of serious crimes.

Surviving parents are blamed by their children for putting them in harms way sometimes. I did not have a choice back then, we were removed from harm. This has made me more compassionate to others in a whole - that no matter how much good you do for others - sometimes - life gives you the hardest moments to cope with. I will continue to speak out about this and help others in my community wherever and however I can.

My Mum. She and my dad married very young and they are still going strong! Married for 45 years, hardest working woman I know and always puts family first. She has recently been appointed as a Marriage Commissioner - she has changed professions in her 60's - WOW! So proud of her.

My Grandmother (my Mum's Mum). She is the head of the family. She is lovely, elegant and beautiful She treats all of her grandchildren equally, has volunteered and given back to Calgary charities and hospitals for too many years to mention. She is whitty, funny and plays a great game of bridge and golf, She enjoys a big glass of red wine, puts family first, taught me how to write cursive and that a young lady should always have manners.

I see my myself continuing to serve Calgary as a Marriage Commissioner. I really do work with AMAZING people within the wedding industry and many have become extended family members. My position allows me to meet wonderful families in Calgary and I could not see myself changing this.

I will continue to wear all of the hats that I have created - and #1 will always be the Mum hat. I will continue to do charity work wherever possible and always put family first.

I have been asked many times to throw my hat in the ring for local politics and write a book of past experiences. All in timing!

Women of Inspiration - I absolutely love the concept of recognizing other women in our community for amazing contributions to our great city.

Well this is tough.
Summer - a sharp Chardonnay with crushed ice.
Winter- Châteauneuf de Pape.
The end of wedding season - a great cosmopolitan martini.

Family, faith.

Being a Mum, helping others, embracing diversity, sharing my voice.

Tulum, Mexico
Central London, England

Calgary YWCA, Alberta Children's Hospital

Hysteria - Steve Aoki