Our first date was at a little coffee shop in Edmonton: simple, sweet, and unforgettable. Curtis arrived on crutches (chivalry and a slight limp), while Carmen was so nervous she blurted out, “You have such beautiful blue eyes.” Spoiler: his eyes are green. Despite the rocky start (and the rocky ankle), we spent hours lost in conversation. On the drive home, Curtis serenaded Carmen like a scene from a movie, and that’s when we both knew: this was the beginning of our forever.
Carmen, stepped into Curtis’ world with a big heart, while his mom became a dedicated Duolingo student, his dad...ay, ay, ay! From day one, they welcomed her like family, and she quickly became one of them. Curtis’ first trip to El Salvador was nothing short of an adventure, starting with a red-eye flight and a crash course in “No hablo español.” From fireworks at midnight to unfamiliar (but delicious) dishes, it was a whirlwind of New Year traditions, new places, and even newer dance moves. Through it all, Curtis embraced a different culture with wide eyes and an open heart, and Carmen’s family welcomed him like one of their own. By the end of the trip, Curtis may not have mastered Spanish, but he definitely gained a second family.
The first proposal almost happened during a trip to Vancouver to see the orcas... but between the whales, the rain (classic Vancouver), the perfect moment never quite landed. Two months later, on a golden summer day in the Shuswap lakes, it finally happened. Just the two of us, a quiet private beach, and one very nosey seagull, we said yes!
As we step into this next chapter together, our hearts are full of gratitude, for each other, for our family & friends, and for the love that surrounds us. We believe in building a life with God at the centre. A marriage rooted in faith, guided by grace, and grounded in the values our families have instilled in us. That’s why this day means so much to us. We couldn’t imagine beginning our forever without you. So thank you, for being part of our story. Our future feels brighter with you in it.