Google tells us that the distance from Toronto to Kingsville is 361 km with a driving time of 3 hours and 46 minutes, that is, of course, if you’re not tempted to stop by the colourful and bountiful roadside vegetable markets.

This journey to Kingsville, however, is a six decade plus journey filled with much nostalgia and barrels full of laughs. It is October 18th when 7 couples come together to spend 4 days at a beautiful Lake Erie shoreline VRBO house rental.

It is not very often that you hear of 7 childhood buddies that have an ongoing friendship for as many as 70 years.

Each year the annual Grey Cup and Superbowl parties keep us anchored in maintaining our friendship.  It began in 1950 when a new subdivision was built in the northwest corner of Toronto. An era where friendships are formed through ball hockey, local outdoor ice rinks, baseball diamonds, boy scouts, nicky nicky nine doors, a game of marbles or popsicle races in flooded street ditches.

These 7 guys (five living on the same street) took their fort building on the banks of Toronto’s Humber river seriously. Underground units with household furnishings were not out of the picture.

All of this leads to a ton of reminiscing that our wives have been listening to for decades. What is especially challenging for our wives is the fact that Wayne, one of us seven, has given each of us guys various nicknames that makes this band of brothers a collection of who is who.

So, off we gather to Kingsville: Wayne and Debbie Bagshaw, George and Joyce McEachern, Ken and Donna Huntington, Peter and Joan Goodhead, George and Judy Gibb, Greg and Debbie Steers, and Steve and Donna Farrant, with the intent of extending a heart of thanksgiving for our lengthy friendship.

Oh, we load up board games, and various things to keep us entertained. But there is no need for any of those distractions. The conversations around school days and our teenage employment bring tears of laughter that at times is humorously painful. Uniquely, we were all employed throughout our teen years together at a local neighbourhood nightclub. This only adds to our kinship.

Two couples are residents of Kingsville and proudly guide us to local shops, wineries and various points of interest. The highlight for the men is a tour of the Kingsville Military Museum where Wayne Bagshaw is the chair of the board.

The Kingsville Military Museum was established to promote interest, education and research in the Military and Civic History of the Kingsville Essex County area.

Our visit to the museum made me proud to be a Canadian. We also enjoy a perfect sunny autumn day in the nearby historical town of Amherstburg.

Our four day hideaway was the antidote needed for the past twenty months of a global pandemic. It has been said that a merry heart doeth good as medicine. All I can say is that I am feeling mighty fine.

Photo courtesy of George McEachern, provided by Kingsville Military Museum