If you’ve been to November Project Toronto at all in the last year you’ve probably met Ban. He shows up, he throws down, he brought his kid once, he rarely seems to wear gloves, and he has a smile for everyone. He’s someone you’re always happy to see. Which is cool, because we live in the same area and often bump into each other on the street. A couple of weeks ago Ban posted about his one year anniversary (if you haven’t seen it yet, go find it) on Instagram, and I reached out to ask him if he would write a post about his experience over the past year, what prompted him to show up for the first time and what keeps him coming back.
But first, I just want to share this with you all because it makes me very happy.
“Now this is a story all about how, my life got flipped-turned upside down. And I’d like to take a minute just sit right there… Wait, sorry, wrong intro. I don’t become the Fresh Prince, but this story does include a castle.
PR day, November 2016. That’s when it started for me. Days earlier, my friend Seema told me about this “thing” she was doing. She had been working out with this group early on Wednesday mornings. She gave me the back story, how it got started in Boston, why they are called what they called what they are. It was a great story and a motivating one. But it was the excitement in her voice that hooked me, the love. Her eyes sparkled with that glow. The same kind of glimmer from someone talking about their hobby, their family or a great vacation. It draws you in and makes you want to be part of it. So that fateful morning about a year ago, I slowly marched up those steps towards Casa Loma. Toronto’s very own castle. It was dark and I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. When I made it to the top, there was a small and growing huddle of faceless shadows all decked in athletic gear. Did I get in over my head? My bed is probably still warm, I thought. It will totally take me back.
But I didn’t head back. The emerging faces wouldn’t let me. They lassoed me in with their welcome and warmth and trapped me with their enthusiasm and energy. Michelle is bright like the sun. She radiates warmth. Sam is witty and genuinely cares about everyone. They are fantastic leaders. They hug like it’s a family reunion. It’s a combination of I’ve missed you and you’re home now. I was greeted and embraced by several others. Next to bacon, that’s probably the second best thing you can have in the morning.
I survived that first PR day and the 12 since. I’ve PR’ed thrice (but who’s counting). It isn’t always easy to just show up. In addition to being weatherproof, you need to be biteproof (apocalyptic mosquito season late this summer), heartbreakproof (no one should be allowed to move away, unless they are coming to Toronto), and alcohol proof (groaner pun fully intended). If you like sweating and having fun, NP is for you. If you don’t, you’ll learn to love it.
So happy NP anniversary to me. It has been a wild year. Neither injuries, early morning work meetings nor late night have kept me away. It’s common knowledge that you’ve fully caught the NP bug when the second thing you do when planning a trip is seeing if they are a November Project site. From way too early bus rides on vacation (keep cool Seattle), to feeling the sting of missing while so close (sorry Madison), to almost not booking that trip because they don’t have one yet (I said almost, I’m still coming Maui) NP becomes a lifestyle. It’s only been a year, but sometimes it feels like I’ve been doing this forever. Amazing people can do that for you. Like Will moving in with the Banks, I have settled in with my other family. So am I good…?”
Fuck yeah, he’s good.
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