(story written from the point of view of Stephanie)

Our story starts in the era of covid in the year 2021. I was online shopping on Etsy and ordered a bracelet costing me way too much. I started thinking… maybe I can just buy the materials and make myself some bracelets for cheaper and even open my own Etsy store and sell them! So off to Beadles I went. I was able to find products for cheaper than Etsy but not cheap enough for my liking. One google search later and I landed on The Bead Store. Naturally, off to the bead store I went on a cold day in January 2021. I was delighted with all of the variety of beads and friendly staff. I went home that day to make myself some bracelets and even left the store a 5 star review!

I visited the store once a week on Sundays after hiking in the mountains. Messy haired, dressed in outdoor clothes, I explored the aisles of the Bead Store looking for a bargain, when one Sunday I noticed Adam. What a familiar face he had… Where did I know him from? I recognize this man… THAT’S IT! We went to high school together! All meanwhile Adam is thinking: Why does this girl keep looking up at me? What is she stealing over there… I should go talk to her to see if she has put anything in her pockets… We started talking and I reminded him that we went to high school together but he seemed to have forgotten me. We soon realized we had a friend in common; Elissa Nadeau. I went home that evening and looked him up in my year book. That’s right, Adam is the guy who had a strange mullet and his hat barely hovered on top of his head. I have to say I was a little troubled by our interaction that day. This guy’s smile is not something you come across every day and his genuine, happy outgoing personality left quite the impression on me. I made a point to look for him every time I was in store after that encounter. When we ran into each other at the store, Adam would sometimes tell me that he was going to hang out with Elissa. I thought maybe they are starting to see each other… I need to give him my number asap…

On February 12th 2021 I boldly left my number on a piece of paper to the girl at the till. Well, I had nothing to lose. My number sat on his computer for his whole family to see for two days until Adam went to work, it was Valentine’s day. He messaged me that very day and I played it cool. I obviously wasn’t going to reply right away, I waited patiently and held back my excitement for a whole 5 minutes.

The first time we saw each-other outside of the Bead Store was at Sue Higgins off leash park with Kito and Indy. We looped around the entire park twice since we had so much to talk about. Back at the parking lot we planned to see each other again and play games on my retro Nintendo64 console. Adam went to his car, I went to mine, not a hug or kiss in sight. I loved that. Next time we saw each other was at his house we ordered skip the dishes and played video games and sat at complete opposite ends of the couch. Day came to an end, not a hug or kiss in sight. Ok, I like that… We saw each other again and now I was pondering… Does this guy even like me? What if I’m just a client to him? What is he just wants to be friends? How come he's not flirting with me? Meanwhile Adam is asking himself and his friends the same question: Maybe she just wants to be friends. I’m sorry to inform you Adam but I don’t hand out my number looking for friends...

Finally, Adam took me out to dinner for our first official date; Blanco Cantina. He made it clear this time he was taking me on a DATE (we also kissed for the first time after dinner). Soon after we went on another date: Late night dinner in Banff! We drove late in the evening to go have steak at Saltlick. Trying to impress the new girl Adam was seeing, he decided to speed on the way home in his BMW M2 landing him a very impressive 1300$ ticket. Very impressive Adam ;). I was hooked. I fell in love with Adams attentiveness, caring and loving personality, his ability to get along with anyone and his outgoing cheerful personality.

Three Mexico trips, a Bachelors degree, a breath taking proposal and a beautiful baby boy later, our journey together has only begun.