Sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to board, Vancouver bound, a family of five set up camp across from me. I have never seen people so fully decked in Canada gear. Each kid from head to toe was sporting red and white and their parents were no exception. If that's not Canadian pride, I don't know what is. Suddenly, my mere 2010 hat and scarf combo seemed embarrassingly inadequate.

I couldn't help over hearing how anxious these kids were to get to the Games. Clearly, this was something that had been marked on the calendar for a long time. Gushing over their favorite sports and athletes, they were practically bouncing off their seats. As I eaves dropped on this spirited family, I couldn't help thinking about mine. We have always been an Olympic family or a sporting one I should say.

The Games have a special place in all our hearts and not because my life for so long revolved around qualifying for one.

Throughout our lives, my parents instilled the values of respect, team-work, fair-play, dedication and loyalty within my sister and I. Sport embodied each and every one of them.

Instead of admiring celebrities, I looked up to athletes. Every Olympics my sister Victoria and I would pull out all our clothing with Canada splashed across it, much like these kids in front of me, and would fall under the Olympic spell.

From such a young age, I always knew I was meant to be an athlete. I didn't know exactly how I was going to do it or what sport it would be, but that didn't matter. For years I watched the Opening Ceremonies to catch a glimpse of our Canadian team. I dreamed of what it would feel like to be out there, as if stepping into that stadium would change my life forever. Two years ago in Beijing, it did.

With the 2010 Opening Ceremonies hours away, I wonder how many other first time Olympians are feeling the same way. The moment they've waited for is finally here.
 
It's no surprise that most athletes say the Opening is one of their favorite memories. It all suddenly becomes so real. You become an Olympian.

Nothing can describe the pride, the honour, the emotions that flow through you. You won't remember what band played or how the fireworks measured up, but you'll remember the feeling. Whether you're an athlete or a coach, a spectator or a volunteer, a friend or a parent, the feeling stays with you forever.

Let the Games begin!