Editor’s Note: The Following is an abridged version of a story written as part of a collaboration with The Globe and Mail. The story originally appeared in print on March 19, 2016.

After finding out I got the job, my family and I came to visit Toronto in February of 2014. Just to get a sense of the city.

We were coming from the Miami sunshine to a city that was just getting over the 2013 ice storm. Toronto looked like the Canada we had always pictured.

My family and I stayed just off Nathan Phillips Square. The wind on Queen Street was bitter, but we saw some ice-skating going on in the square. So we decided to join in! Then we all had hot chocolate at the snack bar.

Thanks to Kevin for sharing his story!

Hogtown Stories is a project by Jeremy Korn. Follow Hogtown Stories on Facebook and Instagram!