Remember 2020? Richard does. Amidst a global pandemic and political upheaval, he felt a strong urge to explore life beyond the USA. Working in Higher Education, he became curious about how institutions in Toronto were supporting their students during such challenging times. Bianca's employer, Toronto Metropolitan University, was hosting a virtual town hall on student support during the pandemic. Although Richard couldn't attend live, he eagerly watched the recording later. The town hall was hosted by Bianca's friend and colleague Carly Basian-Baer, with Bianca facilitating the Q&A session. You can still watch it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnxVq28HVk4. As Bianca appeared on screen, Richard was captivated. Her radiant beauty, deep chocolate brown eyes, and lush curls left a lasting impression. Despite his admiration, he wasn't actively pursuing her at that moment (at least, not out loud). Motivated to connect with Black professionals in Toronto's Higher Education sector, Richard reached out to Bianca on LinkedIn. You can see his initial message on the "Gallery" tab of our wedding website. It took Bianca several weeks to respond to Richard. Weeks prior, she had left a toxic and damaging relationship. Richard's patience paid off, and they soon decided to switch to FaceTime for a more seamless conversation. Their first FaceTime call was on June 19th 2020, the day Bianca's scholarship launched at TMU. Bianca had chosen this day intentionally, knowing she'd look her best. When the call connected, Bianca was pleasantly surprised—Richard looked even better than his LinkedIn photo, complete with facial hair and a warm smile! Richard, too, was struck by Bianca's big, beautiful eyes. They started with professional talk but soon moved to more personal topics about travel, interests, and hobbies. They sealed their connection with the golden question: "Do you play Grand Theft Auto?" It was only up from there! Their connection grew, though neither openly admitted their feelings at first. Bianca enlisted her friend, Steven Kavaratzis, to subtly evaluate Richard's suitability for Bianca. Steven had a front row seat to Bianca's past relationships, and she trusted his vetting process. Steven said he passed with flying colours. Richard's thoughtful gestures, like wearing his mom's bonnet during FaceTime calls so Bianca would not feel the need to always be "done up," made her feel comfortable and cherished. Late-night conversations became their routine, filled with sweet nothings and laughter. Check out the "Gallery" for a glimpse of those special moments!

As Richard's 30th birthday approached, he invited Bianca to his virtual Zoom party. With dozens of friends and family logging on, Bianca saw firsthand just how loved and loving Richard was. Stories of his kindness filled the virtual room, and the night was full of games, laughter, and joy. In the private Zoom chat, Bianca and Richard were playfully flirting while party-goers enjoyed the entertainment. As the party wound down, Richard asked Bianca to stay online a bit longer. With teary eyes and a heartfelt smile, he asked her to be his girlfriend. This special moment happened across two time zones—midnight in EST and 11:00 pm in CST. The anniversary is celebrated on July 3rd, Richard's birthday, marking the day our journey as a couple officially began.

Our proposal, much like our love story, was wonderfully unconventional and deeply meaningful. We were visiting Calgary together for the first time. The day started with errands and a casual chat about our future. The topic of engagement came up. Bianca mentioned, "Richard, you'll know when the time is right." That afternoon, we set out for a kayaking adventure on the Bow River in Calgary. Why we, two non-kayakers (and Bianca, who can't swim), chose a river over a calm lake is beyond us. Despite discovering the three-hour course with no return transport, we decided to go for it. Bianca told Richard to put his belongings in her purse - a crucial detail. For first-timers, we managed well, avoiding rocks and enjoying Calgary's scenic views. About an hour and a half in, we let the gentle river current take over, turned on Jill Scott, and relaxed, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Suddenly, a strong undercurrent whooshed our kayak! Despite our efforts, the current steered us toward a giant rock. We almost avoided it, but the kayak tipped over. Remember, Bianca can't swim! Thankfully, we had life jackets. As she bobbed in the water, extending her arm to Richard for help, her luxury purse started floating away. Determined, Bianca grabbed it with superhero-like reflexes. If she was going down, the purse was going with her! Richard, meanwhile, was trying to save Bianca, but the kayak separated them. With impressive strength, Richard maneuvered the kayak around Bianca, pulling her to safety on a rocky shore. As Bianca watched, Richard was swept away by the current, eventually making it to shore. Amidst the struggle, he lost one Croc, his wallet, and a bit of dignity. Bianca, however, had everything intact, thanks to the purse. Remember when Bianca told him to put his belongings in her purse? As they say in the Caribbean, "Those who don't listen must feel." Remarkably, Bianca's iPhone survived the plunge, and she called 911. Despite poor reception, help was on the way. While waiting, we noticed a baptism happening across the river. Bianca quipped, "How ironic, one life being saved while we almost lost ours." Soon, the fire department arrived, rescuing us by speedboat and land. Though embarrassed, we were grateful we wore life jackets, as many underestimate the Bow River's power. Back at our Airbnb, still smelling of river water and seaweed, Richard was overwhelmed with emotion. He looked deeply into Bianca eye's, and started tearing up. Hugging her, he said, "You told me I’ll know when the time is right." He went to the bedroom, returned with a small box, and there - he got down on one knee and asked Bianca to marry him. Bianca, shocked and tearing up, exclaimed "YES!" and just like that - we became an engaged couple.

In our relationship, we both wear engagement rings. This mutual commitment is a way to express our love and devotion to each other, even before marriage. Richard was thrilled when Bianca surprised him with his ring—an all-black band featuring star-like artwork, reflecting his love for astronomy. She even engraved it with a special message for him! He's even more excited to get a second ring for the wedding, doubling his joy and commitment.