From big to small, blood related or chosen, family forms an important aspect in all our lives.
That is why Family Day, celebrated on February 16 this year, is a delightful honour to those we hold so near and dear in our lives. Family Day in Alberta was first celebrated in 1990 and introduced by then Premier Don Getty. In fact, Alberta was the first province to declare Family Day as a statutory holiday. Over the years, other provinces followed Alberta’s example. They include British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
The aim of the day? To highlight the importance of family values. Moreover, Family Day gives us a much-needed break during one of the coldest months of the year. Before Family Day there was a large gap between statutory holidays (New Year’s Day to Good Friday).
So, what exactly is family? Family can be defined in many different ways depending on the person you ask. From nuclear to single-parent families, adoptive to chosen families, blended to extended families, and even work families – we all find a way to be part of a familial bond. With such a diverse population in this province, a single Albertan’s family could be separated by five kilometres to 15,000 kilometres.
And with Family Day falling so close to Valentine’s Day each year, February truly is solidified as the month of love in Alberta. Remember this Family Day to call that long-distance relative, hug the ones close by, and celebrate all the family memories created over the years, and while you do all that you can create even more long-lasting memories.
