Blake's Journey to Brookfield

As you already know, I currently live in Peterborough Ontario with my boyfriend Blake. We have lived here for a year now and it’s perfect. We love everything about Peterborough so far. Neither one of us are big city people, but I also don’t think that we would cope well if we lived in a rural community. Let me rephrase that, I don’t think I would cope well. So, Peterborough has proven to be a perfect mix of big city amenities with small town feelings.

We decided to move in together after I was offered a position at the Peterborough Hospital. Blake had just finished his post-secondary schooling in Durham for Power Engineering and was unemployed at the time; so, it seemed like the best opportunity for us. It took us approximately 3 months to find a rental place to live. Lucky for me, I had a friend that was able to take me in while I was working and homeless in Peterborough.

So, as I said previously, Blake and I are currently living together. We both consider “home” to be

Peterborough. We both contribute to creating better lives for ourselves in Peterborough. Most of our possessions are here (sorry Mom and Dad, I will be back for the rest soonish). In every sense of the word we are living together. In every sense except for the fact that Blake doesn’t actually live here with me. Our relationship has always had hurdles that we continuously have to hop over. It has never come easy to us, though we make it look effortless.

When we first moved in together, Blake spent many months job hunting with no success; while also studying for his 4B Power Engineering examination. I worked full time at the hospital, so he was home alone most days. This isolation took a toll on his emotional and mental health. He went through a state of depression that hit its peak after he failed the test and still hadn’t had a single interview. Most people that know Blake know that he is quite stoic and laid back. Most people don’t know him like I do. During this dark period in his life I was tasked with the job of being the light in his life and it did strain our relationship. We had to struggle together through those tough times.

Blake eventually took a part time job in Whitby and then new struggles presented itself. Blake had to commute from Peterborough to Whitby a few times a week. His schedule was flaky at best and he would be given less than 24 hours’ notice for his next shift, then he’d be gone. I’d find out that night if he was coming home or not. Working for minimum wage in those conditions weren’t ideal, but it was a job that kept his mind busy. After that, he was able to find a job in Peterborough working at a call centre for little more than minimum wage plus commissions. Anyone that has ever worked at a call centre can tell you that it takes a very strong person to be successful in that kind of environment. Blake lasted about 2 months before it began to dishearten him, which is better than most.

Then, in June 2017, after a year of searching for a career and being through life’s rollercoaster, he was given a break. Through family connections, he was able to find a 6-month contract position at Brookfield. Unfortunately, it is located in downtown Toronto, so Blake has moved back in with his parents and we are apart yet again, but he is so happy. This job allows him to utilize his knowledge and be immersed in challenging situations that strengthen his problem-solving skills. The days are long when you factor in the commute and it is hard being apart from each other, but Blake’s happiness makes it all worth it. When his eyes light up as he describes his day and the new challenges that were presented, it warms my heart.

As for what we will do in December when the 6-month contract ends, we have decided to tackle that hurdle when we get to it. For now, we are trying to enjoy every weekend and day off that we have by being together and loving each other even more than we already do.

One hurdle after the other.