He completed his first year apprentice training in Prince Albert in 2013. Once done this, his company took on a contract in Redvers which meant he would travel out of town on Monday and return Thursday. The distance was hard on everyone.
Jaimie and Daniel got engaged at Christmas time in 2012. They would wait to get married until 2015 when they were further along in their careers. They moved back to the farm in March 2013 and loved the freedom and shared in the dream of what the farm would become. Dakota came into their lives in March of that year. She was a 6 month old lab-newfoundlander cross, so a big girl. She became daddy's little girl very quickly. They also had their 2 cats living in the house, Maci and Malibu. They decided to plan a trip with us to Chicago in Sept 2013, where they were originally going to get engaged. We spent 2 glorious weeks together getting to know this fine young man on a different level. We went to an NFL game, 3 baseball games, and an NHL game. We walked many miles and saw many sites we will remember forever.
When Daniel came home, he had to do another short stint out in Redvers. Then he came home and thought he wouldn't have to travel any more. He was accepted for the 2nd level apprenticeship in Prince Albert May 5. The company took on a job in Weyburn which meant driving there and back each night but at least he would be home each night with Jaimie.
On March 24, 2014 however, he didn't make it home. The roads on the highway became glazed with ice and the truck he and 3 colleagues were riding in colided head on with another truck. This was near Sedley. We were made aware there was an accident on the highway shortly after supper but unaware that Daniel was involved. About an hour later, Jaimie phoned to ask if Daniel was home because she couldn't get him on the phone. We had not seen him and his car was not home. She indicated she had a terrible feeling since hearing about the accident.    

Daniel met Jaimie Polsom while working at Grainfields Restaurant. She saw something in Daniel that we all did. The love and caring young man that was being overshadowed by his bad behavior. She began to see him more and more and his behavior began to change as well. He was more responsible, smiling more, respecting more and valuing their relationship. There were several mornings that I would go down to wake him for work and find Jaimie bopping up to say good morning. Soon they began a life of their own. They moved in together and more beneficial changes were seen by Daniel. He wanted to get his GED so he could persue a better job. He went to school and completed his studies. When he passed his exams, we had the graduation celebration we were all hoping for. A friend of his got him a job at the transportation hub doing hvac. The boss took an instant liking to him treating him like a son. That was what he needed. Someone to have the faith and instill confidence that he could succeed at anything he put his mind to. When this job ended, the boss refered him to an electrical company and there began his journey toward becoming an electrician. Jaimie and he were getting closer and closer and we could see the love between them was genuine and deep.

As Daniel entered his elementary school years, he had a quietness about him in class. His teachers all remarked that he was even shyer than his older sister and brother. He didn't lack for friends and was always invited for playdates. He had problems in French Immersion, so in about the 4th grade, we moved him to English only. He did so much better. He participated in gymnastics for a short time, then soccer for a short time, then on to basketball and lacrosse for a short time. In Gr 8, he had a teacher that believed so much in him and saw his potential, that he was the second most improved student that year. He was so very proud and so was his family.
He started high school at Balfour Collegiate and his grade 9 year seemed a continuation of the year before. He again made friends easily. However, soon those friends got into bad behaviors. Daniel followed suit. Grade 10 saw his marks drop as did his attendance. He became angry at home and lost that awesome smile we knew and loved. We endured many sleepless nights of where he was and what he was up to. 
His behavior became more of a problem.  He actually got assaulted one night while drinking and had his jaw broken. He was wired for 6 weeks and during this time, also needed an emergency appendectomy. That would surely change his behavior, we thought. But it didn't. In Gr 11, things didn't change and he was asked to leave school. Finally, someone was acting on their threats. I thought this would really help.
He found out what living on his own and earning very little was like as he left us for 3 weeks. By and by, things started to change. He met a girl and that was the biggest and best thing for him. He became more responsible and reliable and saw less and less of his friends of poor influence. 

Daniel was the third child born to us. He had the biggest dimples and endearing smile. He was a clown. Joel, his older brother, and Daniel played together just as boys will do.When Daniel was 5 we lost his baby brother, Michel. Daniel was devastated as he couldn't be the big brother he was told he was going to be. We were blessed with another child, Patrick, 2 1/2 years later. Daniel was now the big brother and decided one day to take Patrick to be his show and tell project for the class. He was so proud. As he grew, so did the bond between he and Patrick.