December 31, 2018

It all started at a New Year's Eve party hosted by Amy (Alyssa's sister). It was rare for single mom Alyssa to get child care and attend an adult only party. It was not rare for Kimiko to party at Amy's place... A fun filled memorable night with friends turned into Alyssa and Kimiko prancing around like little kids trying to prank other people at the party. Some say they witnessed the spark that night.

January 1st 2019

Alyssa was out for lunch with one of her besties (in Metchosin). She started talking about wanting to ask Kimiko out on a date but had no idea how to do it. This bestie waited for the right opportunity, took Alyssa phone, and sent a text to Kimiko asking to hang out one on one.

Clueless and unaware, Kimiko in no way, shape, or form thought in any universe that her friends little sister was interested in her like that. But obviously she said yes.

January 2nd 2019

It did not dawn on Kimiko until 1 hour before this date, that it was in fact a date. Complete panic set in. They met up at The Drake downtown Victoria.

The connection between them was palpable. Sitting across from each other at a small table in a crowded pub they found each other leaning in closer and closer (insert more Kimiko panic), hanging off of every word each other was saying. Bonding over almost every aspect of their lives, wanting to learn every detail about each others past and wanting to hear about all of their future plans and ambitions. 2 beers later they mutually agreed to ditch the pub for some cheap, greasy pizza by the slice. Not wanting the night to end Kimiko ended up walking Alyssa almost all the way home (in the completely opposite direction of her own apartment). The romantic walk in the rain abruptly ended when Kimiko realized it was midnight and she had to be up in 4 hours to catch a 5 am ferry and start her 96hr work block on Mayne Island.

January 3rd-6th

They texted non-stop while Kimiko was away. Charlie and Juniper (aged 7 and 4 at the time) kept on asking mom why she was on her phone alllll the time and giggling to herself. They caught on quickly...

Alyssa learned of Kimiko's love for reading. Wanting to get back into reading herself she asked for book recommendations. After multiple deep dives into favourite musicians, authors, comedians etc etc it was decided that when Kimiko got home from work a few days later she would drop a book off at Alyssa's house and hang out (more Kimiko panic).

January 6th

Kimiko arrived home from Mayne Island around 7pm. Grabbed the chosen book - Tuesdays with Morrie - and headed over to Alyssa's. Alyssa had successfully put the kids to bed and didn't fall asleep herself (this was a big deal for her). Rookie Kimiko knocks on the door and wakes up the sleeping children (more panic).

They stayed up all night talking about anything and everything, sharing favourite songs, their first kiss, and Alyssa may or may not have told Kimiko that she loved her. But she recovered smoothly by adding "I'm not like ..in love with you... I just love love." (Alyssa's turn to panic). Kimiko stayed at Alyssa's house for the next two days before having to go back to work. Kimiko slept in Charlie's room as Alyssa was co-sleeping with the kids in her bed at the time. Alyssa's number one rule was "the kids come first, always".

Kimiko kept commuting to work and staying with Alyssa and the kids on her days off. Both of them knew a wedding was in their future, they just needed to make sure it was a right fit for the kids. Everything seemed to fall into place. Charlie and Juniper could see how happy their mom was and that they were getting a giant child as a bonus parent.

October 4th 2020

With the help of Charlie and Juniper, Kimiko got the perfect engagement ring made for Alyssa. The 3 of them tried to play it cool and convince Alyssa that they should take a day trip to French Beach. With the camera set up on the logs, trying to not make it completely obvious, the 4 of them plus the dog posed for a family photo. At the last minute Kimiko got down on one knee and she thinks that she asked Alyssa to marry her. Pretty sure a jumble of words fell out of her mouth. Alyssa said "yes, obviously!". Phew.

Through thick and thin, many ups and downs, 1 global pandemic, lice 2 times, countless camping trips, and too many commutes on the ferry, the four of them created their own quirky little family unit.