Mel was missing family and wanting to branch out to make more friends. She reached out to her cousin and asked her if they could get together sometime soon. Her cousin invited her to a potluck dinner on a Friday evening at her friends. Brad happened to be there and she sat down beside him on the couch. They stayed in that spot all night talking, and the rest was history! They took a trip to Jasper together a couple of weeks later where the momentum continued and their story took off. They liked going on walks, painting, cooking together, and enjoying good food and drinks together all while having conversations about their shared values and plans for the future.

Brad welcomed Mel and her two children Jacobie and Dominik to nestle into his home in Whitecourt a year after dating. Brad always wanted children and in 2021 they welcomed their son Eden, who was followed by their daughter Sawyer in 2023. Together they create an awesomely chaotic blended family of six and are looking forward to a beautiful future raising their kids, sharing meals, travelling, and enjoying life's simple pleasures.