Loves to Help, Serve, and Protect

Meet Lori & Mark – Adventurous Couple Loves to Help, Serve, and Protect   We first met Lori about a month ago when she sent us a few photos to post on Pictou County Life. During our relatively short conversation, I quickly got the sense that she is a wonderful and interesting person. She crossed my mind the other day, so I decided to reach out to get to know her better.   “I am a gamer, cat lover, part-city part-country kinda girl, and new to the area. We bought a home here about a year and a half ago. We are a military family and decided to retire to this spot. Well, my partner did, I am still working,” she continued proudly, “Mark served 26+ years! He was in the Artillery, a Paratrooper. We have moved…a lot. Slowly moving East over those years,” she laughed, “Starting in Ontario and almost every province East on the way here since.”   I commented, “Wow! That is amazing! Sounds like quite the adventure. I guess that means you guys have been together for a long time?” She smiled, “Only 10 years! We were both previously married. I wish I would have known him from the start though. Divorce sucks! but the second time around is a blast. A little knowing what you want, and who you want to spend it with, goes a long way, “she suddenly lit up, “And, we are getting married in July! Very exciting for us.” I busted out, “Congratulations!” She quickly replied, “Thank you! And we are getting married here in Pictou County in our new community.” Isn’t that wonderful I thought to myself.   We continued chatting where I learned Lori likes Thai food, chocolate, scary movies, the ocean, cats, and loves gaming. She has worked in the tech industry for 26 years, and interestingly, in the game industry for 15 of those years. She shared, “I worked in the government, then I worked in the private sector, specializing in game security.” Fascinated, I asked her to tell me more. “As a member of the High Tech Crime Investigation Association, I led a few case studies that included threats to games.” Curious, I asked, “What kind of threats?” She continued, “Threats can be what you would come to expect from any IT service, disruption, availability, a breach. And then there are threats in the world like child exploitation, money laundering, you name it!” I exclaimed, “Wow, you were on the front line of fighting crime. Like a superhero!” We both laughed. It was easy to see why her, and Mark fit together like two peas in a pod; both kind, passionate and adventurous with an innate need to help, serve, and protect others.   Lori may have switched capes, but her desire for safe gaming continues. Her eyes lit up as she shared, “The GameHERS is a place for women in the game industry to connect. A safe place! It's a social platform to chat, meet, and play with other gamers, game developers, streamers, etc. I wish it was around when I started gaming years ago.” Her passion was contagious. “Seeing a women-led initiative creating a safe space for women in games, I had to get involved! I am now an App Production Manager,” she beamed.   I believe this quote by Robert Clancy sums it up best, “We all have the capacity to be a superhero. In order to become one, you just have to find your unique power or ability and exploit it for the greater good. The cape and mask are optional accessories, but a kind heart is essential.”