I was born in Australia, grew up in England, and come from an Italian family.

Maybe that's part of the reason I've always been fascinated by places. By culture. By the little things that make one country feel different from another.

I've never really felt the need to choose a single identity. I've always felt fortunate to carry a little piece of each place with me.

Eventually, that journey brought me to Canada.

Over the years, Canada became home. It's where I've built businesses, raised a family, made lifelong friends, and created the kind of life I once hoped for.

Every year around Canada Day, I find myself reflecting on that.

Not because Canada is perfect. It isn't. No country is. Canadians complain about housing, healthcare, taxes, weather, and politics with a level of enthusiasm that could probably qualify as a national sport.

But after living in different countries and travelling extensively, I've come to appreciate something that feels increasingly rare.

Canada is a remarkably good place to live.

One thing I've learned over the years is that most people are pretty great.

The internet can make it feel otherwise. Politics can make it feel otherwise. The news certainly profits from making it feel otherwise.

But when you actually meet people, most of those divisions disappear.

I've spent a lot of time in the United States. I have American friends, American family, and enormous love and respect for the country.

Most people are trying to do the exact same thing.

Build a good life.

Raise a family.

Do meaningful work.

Spend time with people they love.

Enjoy the years they've been given.

That's why I've never really understood the instinct to treat countries like rival sports teams. 

The relationship between Canada and the United States is one of the great success stories of modern history. The world's longest undefended border. Deep economic ties. Shared culture. Shared values. And at the end of the day, we all love Drake. 😂

Millions of friendships and family connections crossing between both countries every year.  That's not something to take for granted.

And perhaps that's why I've grown to love Canada so much.

Not because of politics or headlines.

But because of everyday life.

It's summer weekends at the cottage.

It's lakes so large they feel like oceans.

It's watching your kids jump off a dock for the hundredth time and somehow enjoying it just as much as they do.

It's the Rockies, which remain breathtaking no matter how many times you see them.

It's small towns that still shut down for parades.

It's backyard barbecues.

It's Canada Day fireworks.

It's neighbours who wave when they walk past.

It's communities that still feel like communities.

As I've gotten older, I've found myself appreciating those things more and more.

When you're young, excitement tends to matter most. As you get older, you start valuing stability, safety, friendship, and the simple ability to spend time with people you care about.

You begin to realize that a good life is usually built from ordinary moments repeated over many years.

Canada has given my family the opportunity to do exactly that.

I was born in Australia.

I grew up in England.

My family is Italian.

And after all these years, Canada is home.

It's where my children are growing up.

It's where we've built friendships, memories, and a life.

Canada means a lot of things to different people.

To me, after all these years, it means something very simple.

Home.

Happy Canada Day.

Love,

Pete @ Mojo 🍁