Their journey together began in June of 2019, when Nick traveled to Thunder Bay to attend his cousin’s engagement party. Little did he know this trip would lead him to the love of his life. Shalyn was working as a server at the event, making her rounds with hors d'oeuvres, when Nick spotted her from across the room. Despite his reserved nature, he couldn’t resist approaching Shay towards the end of the night to ask if she’d like to grab a drink once she was off. The two met at the Sovereign Room, where they spent hours talking, laughing, and sharing stories about their lives. It was as if they’d known each other forever. There was an undeniable spark, and without saying it, they both knew it would be the start of something very special. In the months to follow, Shay headed back to Queens University for the fall semester. Keeping their connection strong, they took turns driving to see one another. During this time, the short three-hour drive made the long distance not so long after all. Their weekends were filled with adventures - exploring new cities, trying different restaurants, going to concerts, or even hiking some trails together. Every moment spent with one another brought them that much closer. Then came Nick’s deployment in 2020, which brought about a whole new set of challenges. With the distance stretching between them, they found creative ways to stay connected. They would talk for hours about their days, have dinner dates, and movie nights — via FaceTime, where they could still enjoy each other’s company and laugh together, from miles apart. Planning future trips became their way of staying motivated, knowing that one day they’d be able to explore the world together. Just as Nick was preparing to come home, the pandemic hit, and suddenly, everything they had planned seemed uncertain. The pandemic tested their relationship in unimaginable ways with lockdowns, travel restrictions, and a closed border to name a few. Nick would travel up to Thunder Bay, bypassing a few laws and regulations, to be able to visit Shay on occasion. They would savor each moment knowing their next visit wasn’t promised. Once the restrictions were lifted, Nick and Shay made up for lost time, exploring new destinations and enjoying the freedom of being together again. They were finally able to fulfill the travel plans and promises they had made to each other all along. Arguably the most memorable trip of all came in August of 2023, when Nick surprised Shay with a trip to Greece as a "graduation gift". The stunning views, rich history, and vibrant culture of the Greek islands made for an unforgettable vacation. But it wasn’t just the beauty of Greece that made this trip so special – it was the moment Nick proposed to Shay on the cliffside of Santorini. Nick asked the love of his life to be his forever, and without hesitation, Shalyn said yes. It was the perfect culmination of their journey — a promise to keep overcoming every challenge together, no matter what life threw their way.