We have chosen to have an intimate ceremony with our immediate families that is separate from the rest of the festivities. We're an understated couple, and we felt this would be the best choice for us so that the focus will be on our commitment to each other and not on all the fuss of a big wedding. So while our winter ceremony won't be for everyone, we appreciate the love and support we feel from our family and friends and we can't wait to celebrate with everyone when the summer rolls around.

We started chatting online after Jessica made a post. A short, friendly conversation turned into talking into the night getting to know each other. With Bryan in Vancouver and Jessica in Washington, it started as a long-distance friendship. We would text all the time, about anything and everything, and eventually decided to make the leap into a long-distance relationship After almost a year of being apart, we finally met in person and started a REAL relationship. Jessica went up to visit for a weekend and was supposed to head up to Whistler to meet with her parents after a couple days, but we were having so much fun that she decided to stay in Vancouver. The visits continued whenever possible while Jessica was finishing up her degree, with the intention of moving to Vancouver so that we could be together after graduation

Bryan had always said that he wouldn't propose until I moved to Vancouver. We were out on a walk with Lynden (our dog), surrounded by the serene forest of Pacific Spirit Park. As we walked, he asked if I knew how much he loved me. In my usual fashion, I flung my arms wide to tell him that I knew he loved me "this much!" and of course I accidentally smacked him in the face. As we entered a grove of evergreen saplings that we both love, he grabbed my hand and stopped me and said "I have a question to ask you." He got down on one knee (in the least-muddy spot he could find) and asked me to marry him. The first words out of my mouth were "Are you messing with me right now?" before I saw the ring in his hand and realized he was being serious. I never thought he would change his mind about waiting until I moved, but I was completely surprised! Of course I said yes, and now I can't wait to spend the rest of my life by his side