Then & Now: Back at Springridge Farm Two Years Later

There's a particular kind of nostalgia that only shows up in the fall. The air gets crisp, the pumpkins start appearing on porches, and suddenly we're scrolling through old photos from two Octobers ago. This year we decided to do more than scroll. We went back to Springridge Farm and recreated the day.

If you'd rather watch than read, the full video is here: Then & Now: Back at Springridge Farm Two Years Later. Below is the longer story, along with some tips if you're planning your own visit.

Why a "Then & Now" Trip?

We've always loved documenting our life, but we don't often go back to the same place on purpose. Most of our travel is about somewhere new, whether that's a city we've never seen or a street food stall we can't pronounce. Returning to a familiar spot is a different experience. You're not discovering the place. You're discovering how you have changed.

Springridge Farm is a perfect spot for that. It's an easy drive from Mississauga, it's the same kind of fall day out that thousands of Ontario families do every year, and it doesn't change much from season to season. That's the point. The farm stays steady, so everything that's different about the day is us.

Standing in the Same Spots

The best part of the trip was finding the places where we'd taken photos before and trying to line up the shots. We were a bit obsessive about it. We dug up the old pictures on our phones, held them up, shuffled left, shuffled right, and argued about angles. (Samantha is usually right about the angle. Amir is usually right about the lighting. We've made peace with this.)

What struck us was how much of the change isn't visible in the background. The trees, the barns and the fields look about the same. It's the two of us who look different: our routines, our energy levels, and the way we move through a day. A farm outing used to be a spontaneous afternoon. Now it involves a plan, snacks, and a very honest conversation about nap timing. If you've read about welcoming our son Kai, you'll know how much our world has reorganized itself around our little family.

What We'd Tell Anyone Visiting

You don't need us to tell you that a pick-your-own farm is fun. But after going back, a few practical lessons stand out.

Go early, especially on weekends. Fall weekends are busy at any popular Ontario farm. Arriving close to opening means easier parking, shorter lines, and better light for photos.

Dress for mud. Even if the forecast looks dry, fields are fields. Wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty, and bring a spare pair for the car ride home.

Bring layers. October mornings can be chilly and afternoons can turn warm. Being able to add or remove a layer makes a long day far more comfortable, especially with kids.

Check what's open before you go. Activities, hours and ticketing can change by season and by year, so look at the farm's official website and social pages before you leave. Don't rely on what we did two years ago.

Bring a little cash and a tote bag. You'll almost certainly leave with more than you planned, whether that's produce, baked goods, or a pumpkin that was definitely not on the list.

Food Is Half the Memory

We're a food-focused couple, so of course a big part of the day revolved around what we ate. Samantha grew up with Vietnamese flavours that are bright, fresh and herb-heavy, while Amir's Punjabi upbringing leans toward rich, warm and spiced. A farm visit sits in a lovely middle ground for us. Fresh-baked treats, seasonal produce, and the simple pleasure of eating something outdoors.

It's also a reminder of how much our families shaped our idea of a "good meal." Both of our cultures treat food as a way of showing love, and that carries into how we think about days like this. The point isn't a perfect itinerary. It's sitting together, sharing something warm, and being in no rush.

Doing This With Little Ones

If you're visiting with small kids, our honest advice is to lower your expectations and raise your snack supply. You may not finish everything on your list, and that's fine. We learned this the hard way on other outings, including our Toronto Zoo day with a toddler and a baby. Choose one or two things you really want to do, and treat everything else as a bonus.

And if the weather turns on you, have a backup plan. Our indoor guide for rainy days in Toronto with toddlers has saved more than one of our weekends.

Why These Small Trips Matter

It would be easy to think of travel as only the big, passport-stamping kind. We love those trips too. But some of the most meaningful days we have are close to home, where we can slow down and notice things.

Going back to Springridge made us realize how valuable it is to create a "Then" for our future selves. Two years from now, we'll want to know what this season felt like. So we filmed it, took the photos, and wrote this down. Next time, we'll be the "Then" in someone else's comparison, and that feels like a pretty good thing to look forward to.

Try Your Own Then & Now

Here's a small challenge. Pick a place you visited a couple of years ago, a park, a restaurant, a lookout or a farm, and go back. Bring your old photos. Try to match the shots. Then notice what's different, in the scenery and in you. We promise it's more emotional than you expect.

Thanks for coming along with us, as always. If you've got a favourite fall spot in Ontario, tell us in the YouTube comments. We're always looking for our next place to revisit.

---

Watch the full video: Then & Now: Back at Springridge Farm Two Years Later on YouTube

Follow along with KhelaMeetsWorld:

• Subscribe on YouTube
• Keep exploring the blog for more travel, food and family stories from Samantha and Amir