It all began in the chlorine-scented halls of the Kennedy Collegiate Institute in 2001, where two competitive teenagers met on the school swim team. Miron, ever the confident newbie, and Sam, a backstroker with a flair for wit, quickly became teammates and perhaps the tiniest bit of rivals. At the time, we never imagined that what started with swim caps, 6 AM training, and a stern coach, would lead to wedding vows years later. Life had its own plans, though. After high school, we both took separate paths, crossing oceans and exploring different corners of the world. Miron settled in Seattle, USA, while Sam built a life in Dubai, UAE. But fate, as it often does, was determined to reconnect us. During the holiday season, both of us returned to Windsor to visit family. A friendly swipe right on the Bumble app, followed by a brief text exchange & some encouragement from Sam’s sister Jess, led us to Wineology. What started as a casual catch-up soon felt like so much more. Nostalgia and laughter flowed freely, and as the night went on, we realized how much we liked each other, not just as old friends, but perhaps as something deeper. That realization hit Miron especially hard. After flying back to Seattle, he couldn’t stop thinking about Sam. One sleepless night, he impulsively booked a red-eye flight back to Canada—for just a one-hour coffee date. If Sam thought it was crazy, she didn’t say so. We talked and laughed over coffee, and by the end of it, we both knew this was no ordinary reunion. A week later, Miron invited Sam to spend a weekend with him in New York City. Always one for grand gestures, he arranged a surprise helicopter to whisk her from JFK to downtown Manhattan. Sam says it was the best 12-minute flight of her life, though Miron’s company over the weekend may have had something to do with it. For months, we made long-distance love work, Sam balancing the vibrant energy of Dubai and Miron navigating the Pacific Northwest rain in Seattle. Then, one evening, during a six-hour phone call that felt like mere minutes, we made a decision. By lucky chance, Miron’s seven-week sabbatical was coming up. We planned a grand European adventure, visiting ten countries and countless cities. Along the way, we introduced each other to family and friends, and we created memories that will last a lifetime. But the most magical moment came in France, at the Palace of Versailles, where Miron proposed at a romantic curated picnic by the canals. Sam said yes, and the rest, as they say, is history. We’re so grateful to have shared this journey with each other—and now, with all of you. Thank you for being part of our story. We can’t wait to see you at our wedding celebration! With love, Miron & Sam