It was July of 2020 and I was at a picnic with my colleagues at the time (shout out Elisa, Sam & Jill). We were swapping stories of trying to meet people on the dating apps, and there were a few anecdotes that Elisa thought were worth sharing at her next family dinner. Her younger brother, Michael, wondered why she hadn't set up her single friends with his single friends.

She shared Chad's name with me - letting me know that he was a great person but it was up to me to decide if we were compatible. Naturally, I immediately tried to lurk him on Instagram but since his profile was private, I shot my shot and requested to follow.

We chatted for a few weeks before meeting in person because it was early in the pandemic and you had to really trust someone before getting within 6 feet of them. For our first date (or as I told my dad, "just a walk") we met up at Trillium park. We laughed, we walked (little did Chad know that would be the first of many walks I would gently encourage him to join me for), we star gazed, and there was absolutely a spark.

A little over 2 years later, Chad proposed to me in that same park. It continues to be the place that brings me the most joy, especially when joined by the person who has now become my everything.

I was sitting in my room when I got a text, “Do you know who Brittany MacLean is?” from my friend Michael I. Being the curious person I am, I googled her to find she is a two time Olympian who won a bronze medal in 2016. I told my friend that I googled her and went on to say “she ONLY won a bronze” (very sarcastically as the only thing I have won was most improved in my second year of house league hockey). There was some back and forth between him and I, and between him and his sister who was telling Britt all about me at the same time. Next thing I know I get a follow request on Instagram from Britt and she is verified. Being the quick witted writer I am, I DM her saying “A blue check mark following little ole me? How special!”

We talked over DM for a while before I expertly maneuvered the “Here’s my number if it’s easier to text”. From there it was a courtship over text, waiting for her name (Brittany MacLean *Bronze Medal Emoji*) to come up on my phone. I shared my love for music so she could learn about me while on a trip up to Tobermory with her family and we made a plan to go for a walk at Ontario Place when she got back. My plan was for it to be a date, her plan apparently was for it to be a walk with the guy she was talking to nonstop for 2 weeks with. Not sure where the wires got crossed.

So we walked, after trying to find each other because we have different versions of what constitutes Ontario Place, we chatted about everything from family, to relationships, the stars and the moon. I walked her back to her car, SWIM MOM to be specific, and we talked about hanging out again, date #2 for me- not sure what she would call it.

As I made my way home, I texted Michael and simply said “She’s special”. A statement that I find to be more true every day. That’s why I knew when I proposed it had to be special and what’s more special than where we went for our first date-walk, with her favourite view, the CN tower in the back, promising forever to one another.