On a brilliant midsummer’s day in 1973 while I was helping out at a swim meet at the outdoor pool in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, a young 17 year old teenager named Jim flirted with me for awhile and later asked if he could have a bite of my A&W hamburger. I refused Jim’s request and moments later was unceremoniously tossed into the noisy, crowded chilly waters of Memorial Pool. While it wasn’t love at first bite, the pool toss marked the beginning of our love story together and the thousands of adventures James and I shared over the last several decades. Shortly following the swim meet, Jim asked me out for Chinese food and had to muster the strength to be grilled by my father, mother and numerous siblings prior to this first date. He survived! The next summer Jim traveled to Montreal for French Immersion courses, returned as James, and our status as high school sweethearts was cemented.
Four children, grandchildren, grueling educational experiences, and careers that focused on healthcare shaped James and I and prepared us for the field of medical aesthetics. A few weeks prior to our wedding in 1979 we met with our minister Dean McMulkin. During one of our marriage preparation classes, our minister told us that marriage was not about love, it was about commitment. James and I both in our early twenties were flabbergasted that somebody would say this! Marriage is about commitment and not about love? Our minister’s advice has left a mark and an understanding, not about the value of love, but about the value of commitment and the responsibilities of living a life with commitment. James and I live our lives with commitment firstly to each other, our family, our community and to Nu Image. I don’t believe that Dean McMulkin knew the impact of those few words he said over four decades ago.
Summertime in Saskatchewan with long days and beautiful sunsets seem to provide opportunities for us to think about what Nu Image could be. It during those sunsets that the early ideas of Nu Image became alive. James and I bring different perspectives to Nu Image. We talk in the car, in the bedroom, in the bathroom, in the kitchen, the garage! Thousands of hours of conversation were spent pouring over good ideas, mediocre ideas, and sometimes really bad ideas. Education and informed decision making are essential elements and we believe in life long learning for us as a couple and for our staff. Emerging technologies, better science, improvements in product development and consistent care and attention have created excellent outcomes for people who come through the doors of Nu Image. At twenty-two when I walked down the aisle with my father I didn’t know about marriage, raising children or creating a home and business, but I did know that I was put on the earth to serve and help others. That day I said yes to a man who had the same vision.
Forty years later, James and I continue to dance through this life grateful that we can work with people to increase their confidence and well-being.
