My #hockey dream came true #GoHabsGo #LifeIsGood
Sometimes a girl’s dreams can come true. Hockey. It’s in our blood. It’s in the water we drink and as Canadians, it’s in our hearts. Some of my earliest memories include my dad and his friends sitting around watching hockey on TV with the fireplace crackling and warm cups of chai steaming on the table. They’d laugh, yell at the television in Urdu/English and debate over how the Habs were playing.
Back in those days, hockey night meant that my friends and I (my dad’s friends’ kids) would lose the television for the night. We’d sit and protest, and those of us bold enough to be defiant, would stand in front of the television with our arms crossed protesting the invasion of our cartoon time. That would last as long as the commercials then we’d swiftly be tickled profusely until we giggled our way away from the television vowing to continue protesting.
Over the years, as I grew older hockey night meant the television would be on with the sound of the game melodiously melting in the background. It became a background soundtrack to parts of my youth. A warm memory and one that makes me smile to this day.
Every year thousands of new Canadians come to our country with whatever savings they could muster, suitcases full of their belongings and a dream for a better life. My parents came to Canada 40 years ago with hopes, dreams and a determination to build a better life for themselves and their future family.
My dad recently told me a story of how he would sit in his office in downtown Montreal and watch the Stanley Cup parade go by year after year. First in 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979. When some time had gone by, he asked his coworkers when the next parade would be and was told the Habs hadn’t won the Cup that year. He chuckled as he said this because this was the start of his love affair with hockey. Over the years we’d watch the game on television, play street hockey with the neighbourhood kids but somehow never managed to make it to see the Habs playing live.
That all changed this week. For those who follow me on social media, I make no secret of my love for hockey, most notably Canada’s favourite hockey team (statistically speaking of course). Therefore when the amazing folks at LG Canada reached out to me and invited me and a guest to watch the Canadiens face off against the Detroit Red Wings I practically fell over as I called my dad to invite him to join me.
There are certain memories that you just KNOW will make it to the highlights portion of your life story. Those moments that are so special that you know you are awake but are almost just as convinced you must be dreaming. This was one of THOSE nights. I sat beside my dad in our matching red Habs jerseys. We revelled in the awesomeness of the moment, took in the sights, sounds and smells around us (for those who have been to a game you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about there). We cheered our hearts and voices out, high fived one another and tried our very best to etch every single moment of that night into our hearts and minds forever. For some it might have just been a hockey game, for me, it was the evolution of a love affair with our national sport and the transition from a little girl who grew up watching the game with her father to a woman who enjoyed a game with her father, playing a familiar soundtrack but this time live and in person. For that I am ever grateful. Thank you LG Canada. #LifeIsGood
To check out all my excitement on social media that night have a look at my Storify:
How exciting. I love going to Boston Bruins games. Live hockey is always so much fun!
I’m glad you had such a great time with your Dad. We love watching hockey – especially the Devils!
That is awesome that you had a dream come true. I am a Tampa Lightning fan and loved going to their games back home.
What a wonderful memory you got to share with your dad. That is so terrific, I am a newbie hockey lover but I can understand the excitement! Congratulations!
How exciting. So happy you got to go and make this dream come true.
Your smile says it all. I love that you were able to go and invite your dad. You’re such a great fan!
Glad you were able to go! How fun of an event!
It’s so great that you and your dad got to do this! It sounds like an awesome experience.
Oh, I’m so glad you got to do this! What a fantastic experience! I feel about baseball the way you feel about hockey!
I’d love to have the San Jose Sharks invite me to a game for free! How awesome & even better that you got to experience it with your dad 🙂
What an amazing experience. We are a huge hockey family. The St Louis Blues are our home team and I haven’t been to a game in ages!
Yay for you. I am so happy you had the experience of a life time.
From the video and your pictures I can tell you really enjoyed going to see the Habs! I have yet to go see them play!!
What a great daughter daddy day. I am not into hockey but we often go to local soccer games with the family.
My husband is the biggest Habs fan! Has been since he was a little boy. What a great experience for you with your Dad!! I think you have convinced me that I should try to take my husband to a game (home game) of course in Montreal. He has also never been to your beautiful city.
I’m sure he would love that!!
What a great sounding time out! Sport seems to be one of those things that can really bring people together and has a wonderful atmosphere.
Congratulations and what an uplifting post and video. I am a lover of the Green Bay Packers so I know exactly how you feel and felt going to a game. Hope you get to go again.
I attended my first hockey game a few years ago and we had a great time. Those hockey fans don’t play when it comes to their teams.
Seems like you had a very memorable time. I have no idea what happens in hockey unfortunately. 🙂
What a fun time! We love hockey.
What an awesome time for you! We are a hockey loving family and find it so entertaining and exciting. Glad you got to experience it with your dad!
Love those pics of you and your Dad!! Glad you got to make such special unforgettable memories!!