The date was October 29, 2019. I had relocated to Canada recently and my newly-made girl-friend, Ibukun (yes, same name 😂) had invited me to her birthday party. To be honest, I didn't feel like going for it but then I thought to myself, "How would I make friends in this new environment, if I don't socialize?" Safe to say, even though I was reluctant, I made my way over to her house and that's where I met him. Ibukun (him 😂) was standing near the kitchen, and in a way that I wouldn't normally do, I went over to introduce myself. Some minutes into the convo I asked him, "What do you do", and he responded, "I'm currently doing my PhD". Now I immediately thought I sensed a "pride vibe" 😂 but thinking about it years later, it's probably because I had been trying to do the same thing and was a bit salty he was already doing it 😂 He asked me the same question and we chatted for a bit about my move and background. The party began and we didn't get to chat much again that night, in fact the next time we got talking was about 3 or 4 months later, but that's another story for another day 😂 I got home that night and realized that Ibukun had found me and followed me on Instagram....and so it began. I sometimes get asked, "How did you know Ibukun was the one?" I will say that it was a gradual knowing, but before we even began our relationship there were things I and God had settled concerning this marriage thing 😄 I had a "rough sketch" of who my husband would be and so it was easier to make a decision when Ibukun came along - of course I still prayed and sought God for the green light. I'm grateful to God that throughout the course of our relationship, He kept speaking to me and reassuring me. 3 years later, our wedding is approaching and I often have to pinch myself and recalibrate to the fact that this beautiful man is about to be my husband! As his name rightly says, he's my very own blessing from God in human form. What an amazing journey it has been and we're just about to shift gears! Whoop!

We met at a mutual friends' birthday party on October 29, 2019. I remember walking up the steps to the house and seeing Victoria right away sitting by the dining table with my friend, Ibukun's, mom. we started up a conversation and I was fascinated to learn she lived and grew up in the Philippines. We exchanged Instagram info and so the story began... Fast forward about 3 months later (yes, I was that slow) I eventually asked her out...on Valentines day...on a group date. Though unconventional, it was successful and we commenced a more formal relationship several weeks after. Here we are 3 years later and I am head over heels and so excited to begin this journey of life with the love of my life and most importantly with God by our side!

V: Fall Season 2022 had come upon us and I knew I wanted to do a photoshoot. Even though we weren't engaged yet, we estimated that our wedding would most likely be in 2023 and I knew this was our last chance to do a fall photoshoot. I'd seen so many and they were always so pretty. I: Victoria had always hinted that she wanted professional pictures and videos whenever I proposed to her. When the idea of a photoshoot came up, I started planning. First I started laying the idea that we should get someone who can do video as well so we have "candid" shots. She agreed! We also looked for a date that could work and October 29th turned out to be the day! exactly Three years to the day that we met! V: I honestly didn't realize until much closer to the day that the date we chose for our photoshoot was our "first-meeting anniversary". What perfect timing right! I knew the exact look I wanted so I shopped for our beige/camel coats, and white shirts. Our friend James had agreed to take our pictures. I will say though that at the back of my mind, I figured that IBK might use this opportunity to propose. I was right. I: I organized the photoshoot and purchased the required materials. October 29th also happened to be the birthday of one of our close friends. We headed to the photoshoot after our friend's birthday celebration. I had gotten a nice haircut. Purchased the ring a few months before. We drove up to downtown Calgary, walked toward the area I had some of our friends setup. I stopped her just before and reminded her that it was exactly 3 years to the day that we met and I had written her a letter that I wanted her to read before we did the shoot. She read the letter, and we walked together to the location where a sign had been setup asking her to marry me. Throughout the walk to the location I spoke some secret words of love and joy about how God had brought us together and how we have arrived at the next stage (Honestly, I don't remember exactly what was said, but I know it was along those lines). I got on one knee and proposed. She said YES! and the rest is history :-)