06/25/2026
We were incredibly lucky that one of my very best Alberta friends, whose daughter had been Bridget’s best friend since birth, also happened to move into the same school zone around the same time. A complete coincidence that felt a little like the universe giving us a gift.
So through primary school, those two girls did everything together.
Then in Grade 2, we moved into a new neighbourhood and gained Becca, another bonus kid who quickly became part of our lives. We loved them all fiercely.
Junior High brought a whole new world. We were just coming out of Covid, everyone was relearning how to be around people, and for the first time in their lives, new kids were entering their world. French Immersion had meant the same faces year after year, so suddenly there were new names, new personalities, and new friendships to figure out.
Except there was Melody.
Melody arrived in my house one day, ready to head downtown to Bridget’s birthday party. She hopped into my car and, from the backseat, started telling me stories about growing up in Kuwait and moving back to Newfoundland.
She was funny. She was confident. She had the best energy.
Nan would have said she was “something.”
And I loved her right away.
I always say middle schoolers are in the most awkward stage. Their teeth, skin, hair, and style are all trying to figure themselves out at the same time. But Melody? She walked right into that stage already knowing she was someone worth getting to know.
She was never waiting to become herself.
She introduced me to the world of charcuterie and the absolute decadence of Boursin cheese and a good baguette. She could take random ingredients and create something that would make the Food Network wonder why they hadn’t thought of it first.
She cared about her health from such a young age, and somewhere along the way she left the awkward stage behind and became the extraordinary young woman she is today. She inspires me to be better and treat myself better every day.
One of my favourite things she has ever done was for Bridget’s birthday. She reached out to friends and family and gathered dozens of letters from people who love Bridget, all sharing what she means to them.
In 45 years of life, I have never seen a gift quite like that.
Only someone with the sweetest heart would think of it, organize it, and put that much love into something for someone else.
I ugly cried watching her compete in the District Lions Speak Off in Gander after winning Regionals. She was incredible, and my heart was bursting watching the woman she was becoming.
When Bridget went to Quebec for the summer without us, I slept a little easier knowing Melody and her level head were there.
A lot of kids have passed through these doors since Bridget started school. More people than I can count have our door code, and honestly, I love that. I love that kids feel comfortable here. I love that Bridget has built a community of friends who feel like family.
But I also like to think that some of them have become my friends too.
And Melody, I hope you know you are absolutely one of them. Congratulations sweet girl. You will go far. ❤️
