Cass' Perspective ~

Patrick and I met on August 17th, 2023 for our best friend's wedding. I was flying in from Vancouver Island, BC when I said to Hannah (the bride), "Well, since I set you guys up and now you're getting married, you need to return the favour." She said I was in luck and that there were two men for me to choose from. During the rehearsal, I immediately gravitated towards Patrick. This man was so attractive and, on top of that, was such an attentive dad to his little girl, letting her put flowers in his beard. We went through the entire rehearsal without saying a word to each other; I was too scared and couldn't figure out what to say.

After the rehearsal, we went back to Hannah's parent's Air BNB for some appys. I sat across the fire pit from him. I kept looking over to find him looking back at me before we'd both look away. Again, we went that entire time without saying a word to each other, just looking back and forth. I kept thinking about what to say, and wondering why, if he was staring, he wouldn't come over and say something to me. I started wondering if I had something on my face. Both bridal parties then left to do our separate things and we got talking about which man I had taken a liking to. When I mentioned it was Patrick, Hannah and Rebecca (the bride's sister) laughed and said, "Well that's perfect because you're sitting with him. We took a chance and figured you'd like him the best, you're the only two single people at that table." My heart jumped and I got a little nervous, now I had to speak to him and what if we didn't hit it off? It would've been super awkward. I was also really excited on the other hand. Later that evening, Alyea (my sister) told me he couldn't keep his eyes off of me all night and she thought he was also interested. That made my nerves jump!

Fast forward to after Hannah and Zach's beautiful wedding, I went to change my shoes and go to the cocktail reception. I was hyping myself up to talk to this man, because well, we were going to be spending a whole lot of time together. As I come back down, Alyea meets me in the hallway to tell me that Patrick is also interested, but he's terrified to speak to me and doesn't know how to open a conversation. She told me I may have to just go ahead and do it. So, in true Cass fashion, I walked up to him and asked him if I could smell his wine. That's right, that was my opening line - very true to me if I do say so myself and guess what? Hook, line, and sunk him haha. We didn't shut up from that moment on.

During the reception, I hear my name being called over the mic. I look up and there's Hannah's mom getting ready to stir the pot in the best way. Part of a game at the wedding was getting the Hershey kiss I got was to kiss someone in the bridal party or give it to someone else but, "We think we all know who you should kiss" she said. Before we knew it, that's how our first kiss was being caught on camera - tears, literal tears. We spent the rest of the evening dancing and getting to know each other with our best friends. It was such a special and magical evening.

The next day Patrick said he wanted to spend as much time with me as humanly possible before I left and so we did. We explored a beautiful beach in Nova Scotia, Carters Beach and continued to get to know each other. I really started to like the man I was seeing in front of me. He also handled my hanger, it was rocky in the beginning though. This guy waited five exits after hearing that I was hungry and needed to stop for food - I really wouldn't have recommended that. He rectified the situation immediately though after I told him he wasn't going to enjoy the gremlin he was about to see if I wasn't fed. "A" for the quick turnaround. Anyways, the spark was there and I wanted to keep seeing where it went. We spent the evening with my sister, her husband and my other bestie, Catherine. They absolutely grilled him with questions, and he took it like a champ - I was amazed at how well he did with my friends.

Fast forward to the next morning when we were saying "goodbye." It really sucked and I didn't want to leave. I never believed "when you know, you know" but there was just something about "us" that didn't feel like it was the end. Apparently, he felt the same way as this man cried like a baby in the parking lot. I hoped it wouldn't be the end but also thought it couldn't work with the distance, there were so many thoughts racing through my brain.

I come home, and we just didnt stop talking. We talked on the phone, facetime, through snapchat, facebook and instagram all day every day. Feelings started to grow for this amazing guy who lived across the country from me, that was the shitty part that lingered in the back of my thoughts the whole time. the next thing I knew, he was saying "I'd really like to come see you, would that be okay?" and on October 19th, 2023, he flew out to visit me. It was like no time had passed at all and the connection was still there. The few days he was out here were so beautiful and genuine in every way. The feelings were full-on grown at that point.

That's when I knew I was gonna marry this man someday. I just knew that this sweet, genuine, loving, gentle, perfect-for-me man, was going to be the human I'm lucky enough to spend the rest of my life with.

We continued all day, every day contact and facetime sleepovers every night before I flew to him for Christmas. Again, It was magical. I got to meet his family and spend time with Camilla as well. We were able to sneak away to "the camp" for a few days and that's where he popped the question on December 27th, 2023. He had asked me to go for a boat ride on the lake and then took me down through the narrows. He was telling me a story when we noticed how dark it was getting. I asked if he wanted to head back, and that's when he pulled out a ribbon-wrapped white box and asked if I wanted it. I said yes and jokingly said "Well it's not a proposal because you're not down on one knee," while I opened the box. I opened it to find a wood round that read "I love you" and when I pulled it out, I noticed the writing on the back that read: 'Will you marry me?" I looked up when he said " I am now" and jumped over to his side of the boat, in tears, saying "YES." we spent the evening dancing in the kitchen by the wood stove. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening.

We spent the next few days telling the people we were closest to, and soaking up the rest of our time together before I flew home. then, we started counting down the days until I moved to join him and our family on September 30th, 2024.

The rest is the history we're making along the way <3.

Patricks perspective ~

A time not so long ago I attended my dear friend Zach’s wedding. I remember him telling me about this cute bridesmaid who was single, I of course excited and curious checked out her Facebook profile to find out she’s more attractive than I would’ve thought. So, I kept my hopes up in what I believed would be a memorable evening.

Along comes rehearsal day. Who do I see but an absolutely stunning woman in a floral romper, it was like the lights grew dim and all was shining upon her. She stood out like a sore thumb. Could I say anything to her? No. I was way too nervous to make a fool of myself and wind up stuttering or fumbling my words.

The evening went by and the wedding party gathered together that night at a little fire at Hannah’s parent's air b&b. I looked and looked over at her and still did not have the courage to go talk to her. Even Zach gave up his seat so one spot was available to sit beside Cass, and could I take it? Absolutely not. All I could do was just look at her and hope she wouldn’t think I was weird.

The night passed and along came the wedding day! While we the groomsmen were standing along with Zach I watched as this breathtaking, elegant, and just absolutely stunning woman came down the aisle. I was making comments to Ryan (a fellow groomsmen) that Cass looked so good. I couldn’t take my eyes off her, peeking around the shoulders of the other men just to catch a glimpse of her.

After that was said and done during a little cocktail hour I was chatting amongst some of the groomsmen and other folk while still looking at this gorgeous woman with the bridesmaids. I was speaking with the guys and Alyea, she told me that Cass was interested and I was in disbelief. Not even thinking she would have any interest in me. I was nervous. I had no idea how to open to this girl.

So here comes miss strong and independent asking me to smell my wine. Yup. That was her icebreaker. I was more or less shocked and said “Yeah, of course, yanno you can have a taste too if you’d like?” She did. But white wine wasn’t really her thing.

From that moment on to the reception, we didn’t stop talking. We talked and talked. Even during dinner, sitting beside each other and chatting it up, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. But wait there’s more.

A little game where you pick a chocolate and depending on the colour, you do the activity. Lo and behold, Hannah’s mom pulled what I believe was a blue one. Cass had to kiss somebody of her choosing. Me not thinking she was going to pick me cause we only just met. Nope. Here she comes. I stand up she places a finger on my cheek leading me into a wonderful passionate kiss. Luckily enough, it was caught on camera! Me doing what I do, smiled and cheered and threw my hands up like I won the lottery! (In my heart I think I did) after a night filled with dancing and laughter, we continued to enjoy each other's company while she was here.

So the following day after a little Starbucks coffee, we decided to go on an adventure. Off to Carter's beach, we go! A few hours pass in the car singing and laughing the whole way. We got to the beach and it was wonderful. Walked the beach up and down, and even wrote our names in the sand (gross).

After our beach date, we were driving back but somebody was getting a little bit hungry. I, not even paying attention to how many exits I’m passing that apparently had food at them, apologize to Cass and tell her we’re almost to Hammonds plains so we can get McDonald’s. So 1 large fries fixed her right up, I may have taken a few.

Once we got back to Halifax we knew the day wasn’t done yet. Off to the boardwalk, we go! We hung out with Cass’s friends and we decided to head across the harbour on the ferry. I’ve never been on it before but I’m glad I was able to experience that for the first time with her. We headed to an Irish pub, ate some food and enjoyed some live music. After that we were heading back and I noticed a beautiful yellow flower in a garden bed. I didn’t even second-guess it, I jumped straight in and grabbed that flower ripping it from the others and giving it right to her. Totally worth all the dirt on my clothes.

After heading back across on the ferry I knew the night was, sadly, coming to an end. When bedtime came I wrapped my arms around her and never let her go the entire night. I stayed in that exact position for hours keeping her in my arms. When morning came I wasn’t doing too good. Not cause of the lack of sleep or the dead arms, but the fact that I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to see her again. I walked her to the car and I may have shed a tear or two. Knowing there were feelings for her so quickly seemed so silly. But maybe my heart knew something I didn't. We continued to talk and just 2 months later I had a flight booked out to BC! So excited, after the many FaceTimes and phone calls I got to see her again.

So excited to fly across the country I got to take many different methods of transportation. But one will always be on my mind. When I was on the ferry across from Vancouver to the island, I was expecting Catherine to be there to pick me up, as that was our plan because I thought at the time Cass couldn’t get off work for a few hours later. So I exited the ferry walking towards the parking lot looking for Catherine when this little 5ft 3” little piece of heaven came around the corner, as I was overly excited dropped my bags and maybe used explicit language. So excited to see her, I pick her up and kiss her.

Feeling so full of joy I couldn’t believe I was there with her. It was like no time passed at all. We took an adventure up to Port Renfrew and took in so many gorgeous sights along the way. From beautiful trees to amazing waterfalls.

That evening after enjoying a fire and a warm supper we were getting cozy in bed while gazing into each other's eyes. That’s when those three magical words were said. “ I love you”. We both knew we meant it. A feeling I’m so sure of.

After a few days of exploring and meeting some of her family, I sadly had to return home. But I knew I was coming back soon. It wasn't long after I got home that we were talking about when the next flight would be booked. Sure enough, Cass was able to come out for Christmas!

SO excited to share a wonderful holiday with such a wonderful person. After the presents were opened and time with family spent, we headed off for a little getaway to the camp. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. We even decided to go for a little steam in the boat.

The lake was so calm like glass. I knew I had to do it. In my pocket was something I’d been hiding. She hadn't noticed it yet, even with part of the packaging hanging out of my pocket. We headed for the narrows. Beautiful and still, the evening was just right. I asked her to marry me. And before I even finished getting the words out, she was nodding yes! Tears of joy were shed, and smiles, and love for one another were not short. We knew right there, we were meant to be. As for the rest, well…I guess we’ll just wait and see, let’s make history.