My love for the outdoors started with him. My dad and I spent so much time together in the woods—on trails, fishing, exploring, and just being outside. The outdoors was a place of peace for both of us. It became our place. Even though I couldn't fly fish to save my life, and he, he made it look like a beautiful art... I'd still go with him just to soak up the outdoors and marvel at how amazing of a fisherman he was and to watch him and spend time with him in his happy place.

Even after his passing, the outs still is my happy place, our place to spend time together. There's something about being out on a trail, surrounded by trees and mountains, that makes me feel close to him.

This weekend, I'll be hiking in honor of his birthday and completing my hike as a virtual Heart & Stroke Walk in his memory. I'm doing it for him, for the memories we made outdoors, and for the life he should have had more time to live.

Every step this weekend will be for you, Dad.

Happy birthday. I miss you endlessly.

The woods were our place then. They're still my place now. And somehow, out there, I know I'm a little closer to you and that you're with me every step of the way papa.