Family day is coming up on Monday and many Humber College students say they are excited to reunite with their loved ones for the holiday.
For Maeva Lee, a first-year Graphic Design and international student, this will be her first Family Day in Canada.
Maeva Lee, first year Hospitality Management and International student, is excited for her first family Day in Canada. Photo credit: Khiana Gutierrez
“To experience my first Family Day and see how it goes – I never thought that, that was a thing. And I never thought that everything is closed,” she said.
“I just want to enjoy with my family.”
Lee lives in the Humber residence and says she’s looking forward to maybe seeing people in the Arboretum, going on a walk.
And she said there are some who can not go back home to see their immediate family.
Family Day is a statutory holiday in five provinces, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan and falls on Monday. For many people the holiday is aimed towards planning activities with their families.
But while many individuals may spend the day with their blood related relatives, others have different definitions of what family means to them.
Kwamena Ealsie, first-year Sports Management student, told Humber News that he will be spending Monday with his parents, sister and cousin, however he says that “family” is not limited to those who are related to him by blood.
Kwamena Ealsie, first-year Sports Management student, told Humber News family is not limited to your blood related relatives, rather people who you can trust. Photo credit: Khiana Gutierrez
“I don’t think you have to be related by blood or anything,” Ealsie said. “It’s people you can trust and people you are close with.”
Glennish Gemperoa, second-year Fitness and Health Promotion student, also told Humber News that family does not have to be those individuals who are related to you.
Glennish Gemperoa, second-year Fitness Health and Promotion student, told Humber news that family can also be those individuals who you pick and consider to be your family. Photo credit: Khiana Gutierrez
“My definition of family, and what I learned when I came here all alone is that, it’s the people who you pick to be your family.” Gemperoa said.
“It’s sometimes the people who you grow with like your parents and who you’re accustomed to. But most of the time their people you pick to be your family and they’re going to step up too.”
Gemperoa is excited to catch up with her aunt over beverages as she has a busy schedule this semester and currently works three jobs.
The winter semester can be hectic for a student’s personal, academic or social life. So the Family Day holiday will allow them to take the time to reset and relax, and it comes just a few days before the start of Reading Week.
Savvi Sharma, a second-year Hospitality Management and International student, says she will spend Monday with her sister since the rest of her family is in her home country.
“Me and my sister are thinking of going shopping and watching movies, and spending the whole day together,” Sharma said.
Sharma told Humber News that she hardly connects with her sister because both of their schedules do not easily align, however, this Monday one day they can focus on each other and catch up on their lives.
Asima Shahid said she will make the trip to Michigan to celebrate with her loved ones.
Asima Shahid, Earl Childhood Educator from Humber Child Development, said she is excited to travel to Michigan and spend time with her family in the States. Photo credit: Khiana Gutierrez
Shahid, Early Childhood Educator for the Humber Child Development Centre, anticipates a long drive to celebrate this Holiday at her sister’s house in the United States.
“My son is coming from Vancouver, so I’m so excited,” Shahid said. “Then it’s is going to be a family trip for two three hours, going to my sister’s house. And she’s cooking amazing meals, and I’m so looking forward to it. Her food is so good.”
For Shahid, family are the people that you’re constantly thinking about, she wants her family to succeed in the development of their lives.
“And instead of expecting, expecting. You should concentrate more on giving. Give them time, care and positive vibes,” she said.
Humber College North campus and Lakeshore campus will be closed with no online/in-person classes or services, on Monday, Feb. 20 for the holiday.
Regular operations will resume on Tuesday.
The GO transit will operate on a Saturday service schedule on Monday and the TTC will operate on a holiday schedule.
Select grocery stores will be open. LCBO and Beers stores will be closed on Monday.
The CF Fairview Mall and CF Sherway Gardens shopping centres will be closed, however, CF Toronto Eaton Centre will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday.