Side by Side with Amber Marshall: A Special Visit from Granny Sheila

Welcome to the first-ever edition of "Side by Side with Amber Marshall"! In this inaugural post, we're thrilled to feature a very special guest - none other than Amber's grandmother, Sheila. Join us as we explore the highlights of Granny Sheila's recent visit to Amber's home in the Canadian West.

A Family Reunion in the West

For those who might not know, Amber Marshall, star of the long-running series Heartland, originally hails from London, Ontario. Her move to the West for the show meant leaving most of her family behind. That's why visits from loved ones, like Granny Sheila, are extra special.

This year's visit was particularly memorable, coinciding with Granny Sheila's birthday. Despite Amber's busy schedule, they managed to pack a lot of activities into their week together.

Highlights of Granny Sheila's Visit:

• Delightful dinners and lunches, including a trip to Canmore
• Attending a rodeo
• A beautiful horseback ride in the mountains
• A visit to the Heartland set

A Birthday Tradition

Granny Sheila's annual summer visit has become a cherished tradition. Last year was extra special as she celebrated her 90th birthday with Amber. This year, they continued the celebration, proving that age is just a number when it comes to adventure and family bonding.

Granny's Heartland Moment

One of the highlights of Granny Sheila's previous visit was her opportunity to be a background actor in Heartland. Amber shares, "Granny has always been a fan of Heartland, and a few of my family members have had the opportunity to be background at Maggie's Diner. Granny always puts little hints out, 'I've come to Alberta, when am I going to be background?'"

For her 90th birthday, Amber arranged a surprise. Granny Sheila got the full star treatment with hair, makeup, and wardrobe, and even got to choose her outfit. Chris Potter, who was directing, gave her a prime spot in the scene.

"It was awesome," Granny Sheila recalls, clearly cherishing the memory.

Rodeo Adventure

This year's visit included a trip to the Stavely Pro Rodeo, a more intimate experience compared to the grand Calgary Stampede. Amber describes it as "very small town, local rodeo. We got right up close and personal... you're sitting right where you're getting dust in the face."

It's Never Too Late to Ride

One of the most inspiring aspects of Granny Sheila's story is her late-in-life introduction to horseback riding. Amber shares, "Granny, the first time she got on a horse was at the age of 80, on her 80th birthday!"

This revelation serves as an encouragement to anyone who thinks they're too old to start riding. Each year during her visit, Granny Sheila rides Hawk, one of Amber's gentle and caring horses.

The Highlight: A Mountain Ride

Both Amber and Granny Sheila agree that the highlight of this year's visit was their horseback ride in the mountains. Granny Sheila's favorite part? "The lookout where you could look out at the Foothills and the mountains, and everything was so green," she recalls fondly.

Life Lessons from Granny

Reflecting on her childhood spent with her grandparents, Amber credits much of who she is today to those formative years. She remembers exploring the ravine behind her grandparents' house, bringing back various critters, and always being encouraged to explore and learn.

When asked for advice for parents and grandparents, Granny Sheila simply says, "Let them go. Keep an eye, but watch them." This philosophy of supervised independence resonates deeply with Amber, who believes in the importance of allowing children to explore and make their own mistakes (within reason, of course).

Looking Forward

As the visit comes to an end, both Amber and Granny Sheila look forward to next year's reunion. It's clear that these annual visits are more than just a tradition - they're a celebration of family, adventure, and the timeless bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.

We hope you enjoyed this first edition of "Side by Side with Amber Marshall." Stay tuned for more heartwarming stories and behind-the-scenes glimpses into Amber's life on and off the set of Heartland!