The lessons of love…..
I learned a lot as a student at Mount Royal – and aside from the excellent education I received, many of my most valuable lessons occurred outside of the classroom. I learned how to be true to myself, speak my mind, stand up for what I believe in, follow my dreams, and choose true friends —and as cheesy as it sounds – I even learned how to love.
Of course I’ve loved my family and friends all of my life – but this was different. I met my wonderful husband Jason – or Jay to me – in my third year of classes —and that changed everything.
So in the spirit of higher education, I thought that I’d share our story, with some of the lessons I learned along the way…..
Jay and I both grew up in the Calgary area. We had very similar experiences in our youth but oddly enough we didn’t ever cross paths. We are constantly amazed that we didn’t meet sooner – but it took attending Mount Royal eight years ago to finally bring us together. Lesson learned: timing is everything.
We were both students in Applied Degree programs at Mount Royal. Jay was in Environmental Science, and I was in the Communications. I am a creative, sensitive, dreamer. Jay is a logical, natural-born leader. Even our stories about how we met and who approached who first are completely different – which is typical of our dynamic – but we do agree that the connection was strong from day one. Lesson learned: it’s ok to take different paths – as long as they are headed in the same direction.
After eying each other from afar for awhile, I finally found the courage to tell Jay that he should call me. And he did. Lessons learned: Trust your gut feelings.
We are each other’s best friend and laugh A LOT. The third member of our family is a large red Irish Setter named Reggie who we love hang out with. He is the sweetest dog. Lesson learned: spend every day with people (or fur people) who bring you joy.
Jay and I have enjoyed many adventures together. We have travelled across Canada, throughout the deep south of the US, through Cambodia, Vietnam and Taiwan, and soaked up sun in Cuba, Mexico and Hawaii – with many more trips on the horizon. We always come home with a new zest for life and deeper compassion for others, while having a great appreciation for our home in Canada. Lesson learned: maintain a sense of curiosity and adventure throughout life.
We both ended up taking jobs at Mount Royal after school and are still working there today. Working in an academic environment is wonderful for meeting people with a thirst for life-long learning while maintaining a healthy life-work balance. MRU is definitely a part of the fabric of our lives together – and I’m sure will remain so for many years to come. Lesson learned: work to live not live to work.
Those are just a few of the things I learned from falling in love in college. It seems I gained much more than a degree from Mount Royal. Thanks MRU.
Lara Unsworth
MRC……The Beginning
Nineteen seventy six, was the year they met
One look at each other; and their future was set.
He was looking for a girl, whose name on a sheet
Was signed up to race; in a future swim meet.
From that day forward, she remained on his mind
And he knew that she; was one of a kind.
He told her the truth, said he did not tell lies
What drew him in, where her beautiful eyes.
A handsome young man, a girl so divine
He was one year ahead; but it turned out just fine.
While working one night, at the college cabaret
He asked her out, and she thought hip hip hurray.
Their very first date, was late in the fall
She was ready to go; when he came to call.
A movie and pizza, set the tone just right
They talked and talked, late into the night.
Talks of the future, and all that could be
Made her wonder if he; thought it might include me.
Those quick meals they’d share, in the old Rathskeller
It was always a pleasure; to be with her feller.
Time went by, and classes went on,
She still had a year; but now he was gone.
How strange it felt, to be all alone
Those were they days; long before the cellphone.
The excitement she felt, she had not a clue
The day he proposed; at a fancy ta due.
College came to an end, it wasn’t too soon
One week later, they were on their honeymoon.
Careers took hold, life went on happily
Then three years later, they added to their family.
First a girl, a beauty like her mother
The family complete; with a little baby brother.
Pets and kid sports, life wasn’t at all bad
Especially as they shared; the love they still had.
Time seemed to fly, the children grew up
Now some days they sit by; and reflect with a cup.
How wonderful life’s been, they’ve now a grandchild
Some days it seems; they’re still young and wild.
Thirty five years later, and a wrinkle or two
They still hold hands; and say I love you.
They say with age, comes wisdom and knowledge
But love is what comes; when you meet in college.
Patricia Scott-Higgins
Love 101 At MRU
I would like to share how I met my best friend and now husband at MRU.
In the Fall of 2006 I was attending Mount Royal for my second year in the Bachelor of Applied Business Entrepreneurship Sport and Recreation Program. Turns out the best 
class I had chosen to take that semester was Lifetime Leisure. I enjoyed class because of my love for sports but also for my ‘new friend’ I had met in class who happened to be a cutie on the MRC golf team.
My friends and I referred to Cam as ‘golfer boy’ as although we were just friends I was falling in love. I had always been athletic but my skills shined bright in Lifetime Leisure. I could not hit a golf ball for the life of me but when Cam told me to ‘scoop the ball’ that thing flew!
I was gushing to my friend in my accounting class about this guy Cam I was secretly crushing on and she gave me a confused look and said, “I think I work with him at Nevada Bobs!” So off I go to meet up with my friend casually at BP’s where the Nevada Bobs crew was getting together and that’s where (or so I thought) he had seen me as maybe more than a friend.
Over Christmas break that year we kept in touch but it was sparingly. In the Winter semester I had signed up for a French class only to find that it was equivalent to my French 30 course so I was going to have to find an alternative. As I was walking out of my French class that evening who do I see? Golfer Boy! He was heading into his Spanish class and said “you should try to get into this class with me.” In my head I thought I won’t try I will be there! For an evening class after a long day of school and work I must admit I looked good. Spanish class preparations did not just include studying.
After a romantic ski date to Sunshine in February of 2007 we were official, FINALLY! It was then he had told me that he had remembered my favorite band from an ice breaker activity in the first day of Lifetime Leisure. He had been interested in me too since the beginning!
We married in October 2010 and went back packing in Central America for two months for our honeymoon. Those Spanish classes did pay off after all!
I now work at Mount Royal in Recreation and Cam is putting his insurance knowledge to work, working for a restoration company. We have been married for 2.5 years and have a dog named Peekay. We still enjoy making use of all that MRU has to offer to Alumni. Hopefully one day we will make use of the day-care!
Lauren Hiebert
