Josh and Janel's story begins long before they even knew it was their story. They grew up just a street over from each other in a small neighbourhood in West St. Paul, both unaware of the future that would unfold between them. As kids, they spent time playing at the same park—Janel swinging on the monkey bars, Josh running around with his siblings—but Josh claims he doesn't remember those moments. For Janel, though, it was a different story; she had noticed Josh even back then, with his wild energy and infectious laugh. Still, neither of them realized the significance of their shared childhood playground. They went through the motions of their early years, each unaware that their paths would continue to cross. In high school, they ended up at the same school, but their worlds remained on separate tracks. Janel, however, had started to notice Josh again. By Grade 10, she had developed a bit of a crush on him, but she was nervous and unsure of how to get his attention. Josh, ever the laid-back guy, was more focused on his friends and his hobbies than on any one particular person. When they finally did connect through text in Grade 10, Janel couldn’t believe her luck. She had mustered up the courage to send him a message, only to have him ghost her. She tried again in Grade 11, hoping for a different outcome, but the silence was the same. Then came August 2013, the month right before they started Grade 12—when everything changed. They ran into each other at a bonfire hosted by a mutual friend. This time, something clicked. They started talking more, their shared history of growing up so close finally sparking a deeper connection. Josh even asked Janel for a ride home since she was the DD that night. They continued texting after that night, and they began to spend more time together—laughing, talking, and sharing their lives in a way that felt easy. By the next month, Josh and Janel were officially a couple. They had gone from childhood neighbours to high school acquaintances to something much more meaningful. Their bond only grew stronger when they both ended up attending the same university for their undergrad years. They navigated the ups and downs of university life together, supporting each other through late-night study sessions, sports games, dance performances, and all the new experiences that came with adulthood. But as their journey progressed, life threw a curveball. In 2018, Janel left for grad school in Minot, North Dakota. It was a difficult decision, but it was a new chapter for her, and Josh supported her from afar. The two of them kept in touch, navigating the distance between them over the next couple of years, but the absence of daily life together was a challenge for both. They made the best of it, visiting each other when they could, and their bond remained as strong as ever. When Janel graduated in 2021, Josh was there to cheer her on, and that same year, they moved in together. The timing felt right—they had both grown, matured, and figured out what they wanted. They were ready to take the next big step in their journey as a couple. Then came January 5th, 2024. Josh had planned the perfect proposal. They were on the slopes at Lake Louise, surrounded by the beauty of the mountains and the quiet of a winter day. They decided to hike up to their favourite secret viewpoint that their friends had shown them on their last ski trip. After setting up the tripod to take a photo together, Josh turned to Janel, got down on one knee, and asked her to spend forever with him. She said yes, her heart full of joy and love as they stood in the breathtaking Canadian landscape, a far cry from the small neighbourhood park where it all began. And so, from childhood neighbours to high school sweethearts, they have created a beautiful life shared in a house they have transformed together. Josh and Janel's story is one of patience, growth, and the kind of love that only comes from knowing someone for as long as they have.