Mara’s 50th!

A Ladies Night Out

February 21, 2025

5-7pm: Milestones Restaurant

Separate billing

7-11pm+: After-Party

w/ “Passengers” Movie / Games / Desserts

Location: Private House @

124 Valley Meadow Close NW

All-paid

Hey Friend of Mara’s!

UPDATE 2/20/2025: Hey, it’s almost Friday…

  • We have the location for the after-party finalized! So, after a delicious and relaxing meal together at Milestones, you’ll travel to the Valley Ridge area and have exclusive access to a private house for the movie / games / desserts. The house has all the amenities, a cozy but spacious movie-watching area, and full kitchen and dining areas, etc. - everything you’d need to see for a fabulous time together. See the house here; find address above

  • Note: There was talk of a hot tub at the after-party, but we’ve settled on a place with better pricing / options / location

  • (Very) Optional: If you’d like to contribute to the after-party costs please e-transfer rowan@gatewayvictory.com. Thanks!

  • Please contact me 403.816.1684 if you’d like be a part of decorating / serving at the after-party location, or if you have other ideas for any part of the Ladies Night Out you’d like to see incorporated. I will likely put you in touch with Yvette who has been spearheading the planning and set up this event with me

That’s about it everyone. Thanks so much for your friendship to Mara over the years. Have an absolutely glorious time together tomorrow, and thank you for helping make Mara feel super-blessed on her 50th!

Rowan

PS. Please take pictures tomorrow night, and any you forward to me, I’ll put them up here on the site for posterity afterwards. rowan@gatewayvictory.com - Thanks!

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UPDATE 2/18/2025: Wow, thanks everyone for sending in pics and bios of how your paths crossed Mara’s. We almost have 100%. Feel free to browse below to get to know your fellow Ladies Night Out attendees.

Thanks all. For your friendship to Mara most of all, and to those of you who can come (9 at last count) thanks for helping celebrate her on the day of her 50th!

Friday is coming fast. Please take note of the following:

  • We’ve found an amazing couple of choices for the after-party. This is for after the restaurant time together and will include options for the movie, desserts, and even possibly a hot tub (stay tuned on if we’re able to add this!) We will be giving full details soon. Does anyone want to contribute to the cost of the after-party? There’s no obligation to do so, but if a few of you wanted to contribute $25-100 it would help a lot. Thanks! Send to rowan@gatewayvictory.com

  • Some of you have asked for gift suggestions - probably because you know “giving gifts” is one of her love-languages. But so is quality time and you’re all giving that! So no pressure here; honestly your presence and friendship is the best gift! Some ideas:

    • Chocolate, lol, any higher quality or unique kind :-)

    • Décor: Mushrooms is her new theme (but, of course, any kind of strawberry themed mug still works!)

    • Flowers. She loves flowers

    • Games. Those too.

    • A thoughtful card goes a looooong way for Mara

    • Mall Things: She loves shopping at Laura and similar; kinda needs new winter boots / booties; if someone got her socks she’d laugh; earrings / jewelry are always a winner; she loves a great novel, or cooking how-to’s…

    • Other: Painting supplies,

    • Starbucks cards. That place is her go-to treat when she’s out by herself or with a friend

  • Could you all take a few pictures of the event throughout the night and forward to me at rowan@gatewayvictory.com / txt? I’d like to archive them here on this site for her after the event

  • If you have a minute please txt Mara and let her know her husband must really love her to be doing all this planning (lol) and you’re looking forward to this time with her! Mara 403.988.8830. Anticipation is half the fun for Mara.

  • Thanks again everyone!

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UPDATE 2/15/2025: Hey all, the “favorite movie” of Mara’s has been picked for the Ladies Night Out after-party. It will be none other than:

Passengers

starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt

This movie has been a long-standing go-to for Mara and she’d love to share it with you. Watch the trailer below to whet the appetite!

For prior updates on this Ladies Night Out Event, to see the original event invite, and to browse the GROWING list of pics and bio’s of all those coming, scroll down.

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UPDATE 2/12/2025: A few updates for your Ladies Night Out with Mara, just 1-week away on Friday…

Reservations have now been made for the dinner portion of this event. It’s a favorite spot of Mara’s and she’ll love the time shared w/ you all.

Milestones Restaurant

90 Anderson Rd. SE, 5:00 p.m., Reservation under “Mara” // Separate billing

Also, all but three of you fabulous invitees are currently able to attend - thanks everyone! Those who can’t make it, thanks for being such a blessing to Mara over the years, and please still send in your pic and bio anyway. Feel free to find a way to connect with Mara and bless her on her 50th - thank you!

Mara 403.988.8830 // mara_fraser@hotmail.com

Regarding your pics and bios, they are trickling in - thank you! See the section below to begin to get to know your companions for the 21st, and how you all have the Mara factor in common.

Please submit your pic and bio asap if you haven’t already and I’ll share this page with Mara soon - she’ll want to see you and your submissions.

So fun! Thanks all :-)

Rowan

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UPDATE 2/7/2025: Most of you have rsvp’d and can make it! She’ll be so glad! As requested on messaging, please provide 1. A profile pic; 2. A brief bio and how yours and Mara’s paths have crossed in life. I’ll post them here so we can all see who’s coming and how you all have the Mara factor in common :-) Thanks!

Remember - this event is NOT a surprise, so feel free to connect with her and let her know you’re looking fwd. to the time. 403.988.8830

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ORIGINAL POSTING: Yes it's true, the big 50 for Mara is later this month and she'd like to celebrate it with you on the day it all began, February 21st!

You're part of small circle of friends she'd LOVE to have a ladies night out with - Just dinner, connecting (re-connecting!) and some games, desserts and a favorite movie afterwards. 

More details need to be finalized but we'd love at this stage to see if it works for you and get you onboard. 

Can you make it?

February 21st, 2025 -  Ladies Night Out

  • 5pm - Meet at a fun, casual dining restaurant w/ sectioned off area (ex. Moxies in Deerfoot Meadows; each pay for own bill)

  • 8-10/11pm - Drive / carpool to reserved setting for relaxation, maybe some games, desserts (ie. Cheesecake) and a favorite movie of Mara's; (no charge for this afterparty, location TBA)

Please let me know asap if you can come. Thanks in advance for helping to bless Mara on her special day!

Rowan

Txt me / Email me: 403.816.1684 / rowan@gatewayvictory.com

PS. This event is not a surprise, but please rsvp to me as myself (and a small army) are arranging things. Thanks!

  • Cora

    My name is Cora McDonald and I live in NW Calgary. I met Mara about 20 years ago through Bible College / church. She had 2 young kids at the time and as a young, single woman I was amazed at the confidence and grace with which she parented them. It was inspiring!

    As life went on we drifted apart but over the years I would run into her at various worship events throughout the city. She was always full of encouragement and hope and deposited those things into me, even through short interactions.

    Now I am married with 3 young kids of my own and I recently reconnected with Mara and once again I am receiving hope and courage (and wisdom!) from her and marveling at the grace with which she loves her friends, her family and her city.

    I can honestly say that throughout the years my life has consistently been made richer through interactions with Mara and for that I am profoundly grateful. 

  • gvc-leadership-blog

    Yvonne

    Mara and I met in the mid to late 90s. We were starting a family and Mara was believing God for her family to come. We met at church and became dear friends...enjoying many evenings of chats and puzzling. Happy Birthday OLD dear friend. Much love xo

  • Marta

    I have had the joy and pleasure of having Mara in my life since 2015, and it still amazes me how God sets things up!

    Mara and my paths didn’t cross accidentally, because there are no accidents or coincidences where God leads. My husband, Shane, was a member of Southside Victory Church’s youth group some years ago, and Rowan and Mara were his youth pastors.

    When we made the conscientious decision to find a new home church where our children could thrive, at that point we had just had our fifth child, God used a friend of my husband’s to let us know that Rowan and Mara had started a church right in our neighborhood!

    We have been so blessed by Rowan and Mara’s pastoral care, and even more so by their friendship.

    Mara is steadfast, thoughtful, kind, always willing to lend a helping hand, and never afraid to give a gentle word of encouragement or to correct your thinking. 

  • Candace

    I don’t remember officially meeting Mara, but we met at Southside Victory Church in 2004. I've always admired her calm personality, and it's always a pleasure to hang out with her. She is a true friend. I sure love her

  • Ania

    Mara and I met at GVC in 2013. 

    We went to a conference in Lake Louise some time after that and shared a room. We went for a walk around the lake and chatted all the way there and back. Mara was pregnant with Charis at the time but she didn’t complain about being tired she just kept marching on. 

    Mara was so interesting to get to know with so many talents. Singing, playing piano, her paintings, teaching everything she knows makes her one of the most interesting people. She keeps surprising me with her knowledge and the many great stories she has told me so far. I can’t wait for more…

  • Candice

    Mara's and my life crossed paths in the beginning of the Year 2011. I was looking for a new  church and I was just starting to go to Southside victory. I decided to attend a marriage class R&M were offering and that’s where we met.

    It was here Rowan and Mara purposely took the time to get to know me. Soon after, they started Gateway Victory Church and I was invited to start that journey with them. 

    At one point we were at a funeral together. I was somewhat emotional, and afterwards, Mara came up to me and gave me a big hug and told me that I was so sensitive but she said it in a loving way. My entire life I have never been told that in a loving way. It was always said to me in a way "why are you like that?" or "What is wrong with you"

    This interaction became such profound moment in my life. It became part of my healing process of who I am in Christ.

    More recently I've gotten to know Mara better. She is a wonderful woman, a teacher, a wife, a mother, a woman of God. She loves to laugh and to sing. She's always ready to give a hug and to lend a ear to listen. When she does hug, she has a tendency to release the tension in my body and I feel much more relaxed when I'm with her. God's influence in her and surrounding her, it affects everyone around her. I am so glad and blessed that I was introduced to her and the rest of the Fraser family

  • Emily

    Ohhhh the times we had! Painting with David kilter, building frames together, having coffee, a trip to Canmore! It was all so much fun.

    I treasure the times we had and the conversations. You were such a wonderful support when I was struggling with things and you always beat me playing boggle. Ha ha. You always were the smart one.

    It has been a long time since I left Calgary and you were one of the relationships that I knew I would really miss. I’m so happy to see your family grow and love you to bits. I wish I could have come to Calgary to celebrate you. But let’s get together the next time I’m up.

  • Christina

    I met Mara MANY moons ago when I was 18 years old.  I had the privilege of working with and being taught by Mara at the church, and then the ultimate opportunity of living with her and Rowan before I was married.  

    I really got to know Mara in the season I was in her home, and anyone who has ever really gotten to know Mara knows what a gift that is.  From cooking and homemaking to marriage and parenting, to her walk with God, she has graciously shared her wisdom and life experience with me over the years, and I am absolutely more equipped in my role as a woman, wife, and mother for it.

    Mara you have been a beautiful treasure in my world, and you are absolutely worth celebrating.

  • Julie

    I first met Mara at Gateway in 2013 when our family started going there.  Soon after, we discovered that we were actually neighbours, living in the same neighbourhood.

    I have fond memories of visiting with Mara over the years.  Her calm, caring, and thoughtful personality always made this a pleasure and her heart for the Lord is a blessing!

  • Deb

    My prayer for Mara is that turning 50 will be like a yummy treat and she will continue to “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8. 

    I met Mara around 13 years ago and have noticed over the years the depths of God she carries within. I’m not able to join in on her celebration but trust the evening will be sweet….just like a yummy treat.

  • Yvette

    I met Mara 20 years ago when I was helping her and Rowan with bookkeeping for their property management company and she quickly became an older sister to me.

    She and the family hosted me for weekly dinners before I got to work trying to make sense of Rowan’s receipts and then we would chit chat till much too late in the night.

    My most vivid memory with Mara is sitting at their dining room table and doing a puzzle together, and building a beautiful connection as we shared about life challenges and facing them together.

    I remember celebrating Mara’s 40th with her and I’m excited to celebrate 50 now too! Happy Birthday Sister! 

  • Helen

    loves God, loves people, very loveable