by Angela Sanford
There are many women I admire in different ways—celebrities who are phenomenal in their own right and family members who have played a significant role in my personal success. But this week, I want to acknowledge a woman who may not even realize the impact she has had in inspiring me to be a better person, mother, and friend.
I first met her at the age of 13 during a 4-H leadership weekend in Paradise, NS. That weekend, I was introduced to dozens of new faces, but one stood out instantly. Despite the time that passes between our visits, she still means the world to me. She continues to be an incredible role model in many facets of our parallel lives.
As teenagers, our paths crossed often—usually at 4-H events, always by chance, never by design. One of my most memorable moments was the first day of university when we unexpectedly found ourselves in the same Family Studies class at MSVU. We had never discussed our future plans with each other, so the moment of realization that we shared the same path was both surprising and deeply affirming. Our bond in that instant felt unbreakable, like it was meant to be.
As life progressed, our connection remained strong. She and her mother surprised me by attending my wedding, a moment I still cherish, though I deeply regret being unable to attend hers due to unforeseen circumstances. We had our first children just months apart, and it was during that time that I truly began to recognize the qualities that made her such an extraordinary presence in my life.
I won’t detail the hardships she has faced; they were mountains making my own struggles feel like molehills. She navigated medical complications with one child, legal battles against an educational team, bankruptcy, and even heartbreaking trials with another child. Yet, through it all, she met each challenge head-on with unwavering determination and grace, schooling the rest of us by example.
She smiled through tears, frustration, and anger. She chose to believe in the goodness of the world, despite the unkindness she encountered. She fiercely defended her family when necessary, embodying the true spirit of a Mama Bear. She sacrificed every cent she had to ensure her children received the medical care, education, and support they needed. And just when she could have been looking ahead to a new chapter, she made the selfless decision to legally adopt a family member’s child. Without hesitation, she welcomed him into her life, raising him with the same boundless love and devotion.
Through the years, she never sought sympathy. She wore every challenge as a badge of honor. No matter how much time passed between visits, she remained the kind of friend who could pick up right where we left off, as if no time had passed at all.
Her strength comes from strong role models—her parents, her spouse, and others. Her dad made a mean stack of pancakes, and her mom was a trusted confidante to many of us in our younger years. Her partner, her high school sweetheart, shares her same values, though in a quieter, more reserved way. I admire them both as individuals and as the dynamic duo they are together.
Neither of us followed our original career paths after earning our degrees, but we both became teachers. Though her time in the classroom took a brief pause, she has remained an educator in the most profound ways—leading by example, showing resilience, and demonstrating the power of compassion. As Kenny Rogers sang, “She wasn’t holding nothing back—she let ‘em have it all.” And while she’s had every right to hold a grudge or sink into despair, she refuses. She is the lioness of the valley, and I’m grateful to be part of her pride.
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