By Brian Humphrey – Contributor
This past weekend, I felt something rare—something I think a lot of us in Norfolk quietly long for.
Joy. Real, heart-filling joy.
It started with a simple plan: take the family to Pumpkin Fest. The streets were alive with laughter, orange pumpkins lined up in every direction, and the smell of popcorn and cotton candy floating through the cool autumn air. I found myself smiling the whole time—watching my kids tug at my sleeve, my wife laughing beside me, and neighbours greeting each other like old friends.
Then came Friday night’s fireworks. What a show. Standing there with my family, I felt a lump rise in my throat as the sky exploded in colour. It wasn’t just the spectacle that moved me—it was the feeling of togetherness. In that moment, surrounded by my community, I realized how powerful these shared experiences are. Something as simple as a fireworks show can remind us how alive we are, and how lucky we are to call this place home.
Over the rest of the weekend, we wandered into local bake shops for bowls of hot soup and freshly baked bread, and of course, a few treats for the kids. These small moments—warm soup, familiar faces, and fall air—have a way of slowing time down just enough to notice what really matters.
As a father, I think often about what my children will remember most. Not the toys or the screens—but the traditions, the togetherness, the small-town weekends filled with love and laughter. These experiences plant roots in their hearts, teaching them what community and connection truly mean.
So here’s to more weekends like this. To fireworks that take our breath away, and to family traditions that remind us how good it feels to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
Small town, big energy—and a whole lot of gratitude.
Brian Humphrey is a dedicated Norfolk advocate, coach and mentor. His business, Successful Fatherhood, guides men and fathers from feelings of overwhelm, disconnection, and absence to becoming present, fulfilled fathers who are engaged with life and rediscovering their passions. You can visit him on Facebook or Instagram here at FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM
