As parents we all love our children unconditionally…no if’s, and’s or but’s about it!

My daughter Sam has been on my mind a lot lately.  I’m so proud of her and all of her accomplishments, she truly is the perfect triple threat!

You’re likely scratching your head trying to figure out what a triple threat is….am I right?

Well, there is no question that Sam is super smart (threat 1).  As you may remember she’s attending the University of Waterloo which is one of Canada’s most prestigious and doubly difficult Universities to get into.

Then layer on that she’s studying Mathematics and Computer Science with a minor in Fine Art…. well, you get the drift.

She’s just completed her second year of her five-year co-op program.   This means that she goes to school for one term, then works for one term without a break over the five years.

This program has really set her up in terms of both getting her degree but also enabling her to use her skills and capabilities in a real-world environment prior to graduating.

She was lucky enough to get her first work term at Quandal, which provides data analytics for the NASDAQ stock exchange in New York.  Not too shabby for her first job!

Not surprisingly after she completed her first work term with Quandal she was offered a part time job on an ongoing basis.  She now splits her time between full time school and working for them 20 hours per week.  Such a great opportunity to build a strong resume while at school.

She just started her third work term with them on a full-time basis and has been assigned to a new team and although a little nervous I’m sure she’ll do great!

Now you’re curious as to why Sam would choose Fine Arts as her minor.  One of the benefits of coming from parents with both left and right brain attributes is that she also got a strong balance of both.

The mathematics and analytical side coming from my ex and the creative art and design side from me.  Prior to University Sam spent a summer attending Columbia University in New York City at the School of Architecture.

She’s always had such a strong affinity with art and design so it made complete sense that she would add Fine Arts to her course load.

Who knows, perhaps after her undergraduate degree she may pursue her Masters in Architecture.  Anything is possible!

Sam’s second threat is her attractive and loving nature.   Yes, she’s very attractive, but it’s more than her physical beauty it’s her emotional intelligence, empathy and caring that people connect with that make her remarkable.

From an early age she’s always been able to read the mood of a room, break the ice and make friends irrespective of how big and/or intimidating the room is.  Quite the skill really…

Now add her ability to put people at ease while being inclusive.  Often bringing in those on the fringe of a conversation to ensure everyone is actively part of what’s going on.

This attribute has enabled a diverse and strong network of friends.

Sam is also a confident public speaker and was her High School’s Valedictorian in her graduating class.

I was so proud!

I still get goosebumps listening to her speech as it was on the mark in terms of tone as well as being entertaining.  I’d like to say a “chip off the old block”, but she’s a better speaker than me… by a country mile!

I suppose her final threat is her athletic ability.

While at high school she won the Athlete of the Year award for her school.  Partly it was because she made the senior Varsity soccer team when she was 13, but also because she was on the school’s softball and volleyball teams as well.

In her first year at Senior Varsity her school was runner up in the Canadian Private Schools Soccer tournament with her scoring several goals to lead them into the final.

Outside of school she was recruited by the Sanjaxx Soccer Academy where she played in the Ontario U21 competition.  As well she often was chosen to play in the academy’s Ontario Women’s Premier League team, incredible for a 14-year-old to be playing in the Provincial open women’s competition.

It wasn’t long before she was scouted by the Head coach of the Canadian Maccabi U18 team.  After practising with the team, she was selected for the squad which then participated at the World Maccabi games in Israel in 2017.

She made the starting eleven for each of the games in the tournament.

Although I’ve had many proud moments with Sam, one my all time favourite moments was watching her score a goal in the Semi Final match against South Africa that sent Canada into the Bronze medal game.

Her effortless poise in that moment was just magical as she slotted the ball into the back of the net and her teammates engulfing her in celebration.  It still brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it…

They ultimately played Australia in the Bronze medal game which Canada won 3-0.

Additionally, she was actively pursued by a couple of American Universities to play soccer but chose to focus on her academics rather than pursue her athletic career.

Yep, one smart and multi-talented young woman!

All I can say is that I’m blessed to be her dad.

Until next week

Ciao