yes is a world
and in this world of yes live
(skillfully curled)
all worlds”

~ e.e. cummings

Here’s a list of the best 12 yeses I’ve ever said:

1. Saying “yes” to dating a second year political science student from a rival university who was already dating a girl back at home. Even on the first day we met, I knew in my gut, I knew he was “the One”. Even better: saying “yes” to his marriage proposal three years later.

2. Saying “yes” to adopting a sweet, mild-tempered beagle when one of my students moved to England.

3. Saying “yes” to going ziplining at Hunter Mountain, New York with my husband and kids even though I’m terrified of heights. It was one of the most fun experiences of my life!

4. Saying “yes” when my kids wanted to start getting an allowance. They can now save for the “extras” they want, and closely guard their hard-earned savings. No more “Pleeeease, Mommy!” at the store anymore.

5. Saying “yes” to a new job when I was perfectly happy with the one I had and despite the fact that the move meant a pay cut. Turns out, I like the new job even better and now, years later, I’m making twice as much as when I started and I have summers off.

6. Saying “yes” to trying Indian food back in my university days, even though I couldn’t stand the smell of curry. Today it’s one of my favourite foods in the whole world.

7. Saying “yes” to spending thousands of dollars on a trip to Europe when our kids were young. The experience was life-changing for our whole family, and they’re proud they’ve been to many of the places they’re now studying in school.

8. Saying “yes” to my principles when everyone around me seems to be changing theirs.

9. Saying “yes” to an epidural during my first childbirth experience.

10. Saying “yes” to a new hairstyle after 20 years of being stuck in a rut.

11. Saying “yes” to small indulgences that boost my spirit and make me feel special — like buying the latest book I’ve had my eye on or getting a facial or slipping a Hershey’s bar in the grocery cart among the apples and granola bars.

12. Saying “yes” to writing this blog, because the reflection has really been an eye-opener for me.

YES #16: Yes I will fill out an online survey about your boring technology company just so I can receive a free $10 gift card for Amazon.ca.

YES #17: Yes, I will buy my favourite almond Hershey bar in the grocery store line-up. Really, that wasn’t a very hard decision to be honest.

YES #18: Yes I will throw out the expired condiments in my refrigerator, despite my mother’s insistence that expiry dates are merely “suggestions.”