tanja 20 years

Tanja Krajcinovic came to Canada with her mother Danica and brother Niki from the former Yugoslavia.

Tanja and her family came to Canada as refugees.

Today, to celebrate 20 years of friendship, I’d like to share a few memories of Tanja and how much she’s brought to me personally, and to Canada as a citizen.

This is my friend Tanja (in yellow) and that’s me standing behind her…back then!

For 10 years, I volunteered as advisor & youth leader for CIP, a Citizenship and Immigration sponsored program aimed to build confidence, skills and friendships in Newcomer youth (ages 14-24).

Tanja was one of those youth & she soon became a leader and then a staff member.

Her journey and friendship has inspired and changed me.

YMCA COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM

In 1997, I decided to create the COMPANY OF FRIENDS.

The Company of Friends was a retreat idea for the staff working together at CIP.

It was intended as a way for us to recharge our batteries. But, these annual retreats nurtured friendships that went far beyond our work.

Our First Road Trip to Cape Breton

Founding Members (left to right): Dina Desveaux, Tanja Krajcinovic, Cristina Rafales, Brian Walker, Stephanie Tarr and Firdaus Bhathena.

On every one of these trips, we learned new things about everyone…

For example, on our first road trip I learned how much Tanja loved waterfalls…

And, that Firdaus takes his consumption of lobster VERY seriously!!

Another Road Trip Retreat to the Cape d’Or Lighthouse

That year, we brought a new member too: Heather Asbil (curly hair; top left):

Some time later you may have learned things about me too…

Remember this?

The Infamous Sleepovers & Interventions…

In 2000, Tanja got her Canadian Citizenship! Woo-Hoo!!!

We celebrated with our own unoffical citizenship ceremony –a spoof theatre piece about the challenges of coming to Canada!

Then again, we celebrated all sorts of life events, birthdays, showers….

The year 2000 brought baby Benjamin Oseas Rafales-Nordoff into our extended family….this is Ben’s 1st camping trip (3 months old):

2002

2004: Here’s a spot we gathered quite a bit– my old apartment, which Steph & Firdaus dubbed the Cultural Centre of Halifax – such a happy place, so many memories (this pic was taken the night before my book launch).

That same year Tanja got her Social Work Degree

Crystal Crescent was another of our favourites…

AGAIN…

…and again…

2005Shubenacadie Wildlife Park

2006Bringing in a New Year

In 2007, Tanja married Jason Matthews. And because of a last minute changes, their marriage in Cuba inadvertently led to my own marriage proposal.

Our friendships include all sorts of traditions & rituals…

Camping being our favourite way to connect

Tanja and Jason start their family with the birth of Nikola!

2007: First Christmas at our new house on Morris, my fiancee, Peter and I had all the Company of Friends over including the newest member, Nikola…

2008: The Girls on a Night Out

2008: Another holiday; another gathering…

More Christmas memories & Amina is now part of the extended family….e

In 2009, when I got married Tanja was by my side…always supportive and full of surprising advice before I walked down the aisle!

And then came Sasha!!!

With growing families, it became more challenging to spend as much time together, but Christmas holidays remain a time when we do our best to gather….

One of our Company of Friends traditions was an annual ornament exchange – every year at Christmas, whether they are present or not, I always feel them around me as I hang those ornaments on the tree – that flying mermaid was one I got from Tanja…

In 2013, Tanja shared her story with the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.Tanja’s is a success story that inspires not just me, but countless newcomers who walk through ISANS every day.

This quote, a favourite of mine, reflects the beauty of my friend Tanja. She has overcome much and now helps other newscomers to Canada. Tanja works at ISANS (the Immigrant Settlement Association of Nova Scotia).

Meanwhile, with busy lives and families, we continue to try our best to carve out time to spend time together and catch up…because these friendships run deep.

We truly are like family and I, for one, could never have asked for a better second family than our Company of Friends.

My life is unbelievably rich because of each one of you.

2015: A Christmas Brunch bringing together old friends!

2016: Dinner with the gang!

2016: And just 2 days ago, our dear old friend Stephanie was in town visiting from BC – a great excuse to meet and catch up!!

Tanja & Jason’s Gorgeous Daughters: Sasha and Nikola!

A Canadian Family

Happiest 20th Anniversary to a Dear Friend & Amazing Canadian…