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Dear Edmonton: To a city with love from a military spouse

Dear Edmonton, In a couple months, we will be moving away. Now, I know you don’t really care.  You’re a big city.  People come and go every day.  I’m sure you have better things to think about, like trying to recruit hockey players that might help your team win. We’re just one family.  And technically, we don’t even live inside your city limits, though we shop, work and play there.  But we thought we’d let you know, we’re leaving. It’s been fun. Even though I had lived the 10 years previous in Calgary, I have to admit I had never been to see you before DH was posted here.  And living those 10 years in Calgary, well, honestly?  I wasn’t expecting much.  Once I spent 18 months back and forth visiting DH before our wedding, I learned a few things. You have a big mall.  You have a little tiny zoo.  You have roads named after hockey players and I hear you also have a team.  I never understood why but you have a really big rotating baseball bat but no baseball team.  You have Save on Foods, but no Co–op.  You have a beautiful river valley, your people work hard and it used to be really frustrating to get from the north to the south quickly.  Thanks for making that ring road right when we leave, by the way. You also have a Canadian Forces Base. And it is for that reason that in 2001, after I wed my love, I came to call you home. Edmonton, I fear I knew as little as you…