By Eloise Greenfield

“I went to George Washington for university. I wanted to be in the capital of the country, I always liked the city. Originally, I wanted to get a Master’s in writing, and then teach it. When I finished school I took a year off and spent that year working in Chicago. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do anymore. Eventually I took the entrance exams and went to Northwestern University, where I met my wife. I became a lawyer like my father.

We moved to Toronto near the end of 2002, I wish that we had been closer to my family, but I am happy living in Toronto. Just recently, I got my Canadian citizenship which was a big deal for me. In Toronto, we live very close to where my wife, Julie’s, parents live. We’re very close with them and we see them multiple times a week. Family is very important to her and it’s a big part of why we moved here. We spend every holiday together; Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and all of winter break. If we still lived in Chicago we wouldn’t be as close with most of our relatives. We visit my parents once or twice a year.

I miss Chicago because it’s where I grew up, but I love being here. It’s a great city. They’re similar cities. Except I’m raising my family in Toronto, and not Chicago. What has always mattered to me is having my own family, and my family is here in Toronto. It’s a great place to raise them and I wouldn’t change it at all.”

#FamilyFirst