It was my first full day in Alberta when I met and photographed Patricia and Barney. We met in the afternoon just a few hours after my first session with Ewa and Jamie in Johnston Canyon. The time between the sessions, I spent in Banff – the second highest elevated city in Canada. Right now you may wander what is the highest elevated city in Canada. I will help you, it is Lake Louise, 1661 m and just after that is Banff, 1383 m.
I was walking on the streets of Banff and still couldn’t believe that I drove here. It was my third time in Banff but it was different compare to the other visits. Right now, I knew how many hours you need to spend in the car, how many kilometres you need to drive and how tired you will get by driving from Toronto to Banff.
When I met Patricia and Barney the weather got a little bit worse. The sun was almost gone and the temperature dropped significantly. It also started snowing a little bit but the views were breathtaking and I knew that we can create something magical.
Patricia and Barney live in Calgary, Alberta. They have two daughters and very busy lives. What I love about them is that even their busy schedules didn’t stop them from pursuing their dreams. Patricia is a dentist and she trains for World Beauty Fitness and Fashion in Las Vegas this year. Barney is a doctor and he also runs a charity for underprivileged kids.
This is how Patricia and Barney answered to my 8 questions after the photo shoot when we were warming up in the car.
What is your dream and what is your biggest dream together?
Patricia: For this year my dream would be to make it to the world championship for the WBFF, World Beauty Fitness and Fashion in Las Vegas. I’m hoping to bring my whole family to come with me and support me and hopefully be in the top 10th place in the world.
Barney: We have a cheerily organization called the Troung Education Foundation. It’s turning into the charity this year. Before we were running it as a non profit. My ultimate goal is to make it big enough to provide support and education for children from non privileged backgrounds.
Barney: our dream as a couple is to travel all over the world to lots of exotic places. We needed to be at school for so long and now having kids we never really have time to go somewhere just two of us so we are thinking about traveling more.
Patricia: Yes, traveling and also growing old together. I can see us when we are elderly and you still take care of me by giving me your socks to wear because my feet are cold. Note: after the session Barney gave Patricia his socks because her feet were freezing!
2. If you could go in Canada anywhere right now without any limitations of money and time, where would you go and why?
Patricia: I would go over to Vancouver because that’s were my parents are and family is everything to me. It’s nice for my parents to see our daughters and see how much they have grown since last time they came to visit. I do miss them a lot and I wish they were closer to us. That’s number one for me.
Barney: I would probably go somewhere out east maybe to the Maritimes because I have never been there before. Canada is so big that it takes some time to see the entire country.
3. Patricia what is the best thing about you which Barney brings out in you?
Patricia: I have always been a free spirit and I think he keep bringing this out in me because he lets me be me and we do a lot of exciting, interesting things together. He never holds me back and he always encourages me to follow my dreams. I’m very lucky to have him support me!
Barney what is the best thing about you which Patricia brings out in you?
Barney: Because our personalities are different, I like the fact that she is much more spontaneous. I’m very regimented and I like things to be in a certain way but I don’t expect everyone to be like that and I like the fact that there is someone in my life like Patricia who pushes me to do things which I normally wouldn’t do. It makes my life much more exciting.
4. What is the most difficult part of your relationship?
Barney: We are both so busy that it is hard to find time to do things together. We used to try schedule date nights so we could have a separate, dedicated time just for two of us but this idea kind of felt apart.
Patricia: I think our personalities are different in some ways. I see that as a strengths. We try to support each other in our dreams.
6. Patricia what do you love the most about Barney?
He is very kind, patient and gentle, very smart and he always makes me laugh. He is an amazing husband, wonderful father and I’m very lucky to have him.
Barney what do you love the most about Patricia?
There are so many things. I love the fact that she is fearless. I never see her think about something and say that it is too difficult. I love that because it is such a good example not only for me and for kids but also for people who meet her. They often ask her: how do you do so many things? I love that attitude in her because it teaches me that we shouldn’t hold each other back, we should really try to push ourself. We only live once and we only regret the things that we never try.
7. How would you describe Canada in only two words?
Patricia: multicultural, culture.
Barney: inclusive, friendly
8. What wakes you up from the bed every day?
Patricia: Knowing that every day is a gift. You wake up and you never know when will be your last day so it’s a really a gift to be able to open up your eyes and to do something. You have the day to do something what you want and there are so many possibilities.
Barney: I love having people to take care of. I love having Patricia and the kids. If I would need to wake up and think about how to satisfy just my own needs, I don’t think that I would be feeling fulfilled.
Thank you Patricia and Barney for being a part of my Love Across Canada Photography Adventure! Stay tuned for more images of couples and their stories from Across Canada.
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This Alberta couple session was photographed by Monika from Everglow Photography – Voted as Best Wedding Photographers in Toronto, Canada.
International Wedding Photographer for Adventurous Couples.
