Lethbridge has been home base for Bri for her whole life. That's where this story starts. In the early summer months of 2024, she had set a goal for her introverted self: make more friends. Not an easy feat in your late 20's as a busy business owner and single mom. Bri has always loved music and singing. Years ago, there were voice lessons, and bands, and stages. As time had worn on, music became less of a focus, and just a fleeting childhood memory, save for long showers and an empty house. She had rediscovered that passion in the form of karaoke. Unfortunately, the typical friends Bri would have brought to go with her were all in busy stages of life. She did recall one acquaintance that might be of help in this situation. Bri had met Galen 7 years ago through her maid of honour and best friend, Rylan, and her fiancé, Cole. One winter night, months before June of 2024, Bri had ran into Galen and his brother Lincoln at karaoke. Remembering that, she sent a message to Galen. Asking if she could come along with him and his group of friends. Being ever the cupid, Galen had mentioned his friend, Ryan, had just gotten into town that week, and that Bri should meet him. Ryan had spent less time than Bri in one place. He had been living in Medicine Hat at the time and working on the road. Between Fort MacMurray, and Saskatchewan, Ryan had been moving between different places on a regular occurrence. He found himself in Southern Alberta, not too far from home, when he ran into childhood friend, and fellow welder on a work site, Galen. A total surprise, it had been years since the two had found themselves in each others company, and neither had expected the other to be there. With a generous spirit, Galen asked if Ryan would like to stay with him while they worked on this job together. As fate would have it, Ryan accepted. It would be 5 days later, that Ryan and Bri first heard of each other. In a funny turn of events, Ryan could not attend due to a missing licence, Just Galen, his girlfriend, and Lincoln. A few drinks, and slot wins later, everyone was fast friends. They were having a BBQ on the Sunday. Bri said yes, excited to make new friends. It was clear to both Ryan and Bri that all parties had ulterior motives of setting the two of them up with each other. Both Ryan and Bri were skeptical. Both happily single, both fiercely independent. The day came, and it was great fun. Food, drinks, friendship, and sunshine. Bri finally met Ryan. It was a quick hello. With all the outside pressure, Bri and Ryan both felt very nervous. The two sat beside each other, shy, not a word spoken between the two. Bri recalls the warmth of Ryan's energy, the way he thoughtfully listened to others. A moment that had stuck out to her was when the group sat down to dinner, he removed his hat. A small, but important gesture that spoke to the kind of man Ryan is. Ryan recalls seeing Bri for the first time, and thinking to himself that his dream woman had just stumbled into his life. He remembers the nerves, the elevated heart rate, and feeling his words caught in his throat, unsure of how to proceed. Feeling a pull to each other, and knowing that nothing would be the same if they followed this path. The night wrapped up. Bri said goodbye to the group, and when she moved to Ryan to say goodbye and their eyes met, there was a spark of electricity between the two. Bri’s stomach flipped as Ryan mentioned that he hoped to see her again soon. See each other soon they would. They spent the next week texting. Morning until evening. Sharing hopes, dreams, music, and discovering their shared interests and similar backgrounds. Nothing ever was the same after the next Friday, where they fell in love with a backdrop of music, nerves, and an understanding that the pull they had to each other was a once in a lifetime, head over heels, soul connecting kind of love.