It was Jaymie’s second week of attending a new church in North Vancouver. She had moved from Prince George four months prior in September 2019 and was still getting acquainted with the city. The church service had just ended and she stood with her mother, Jody, in the corner of the auditorium. Upon seeing this, Colin walked directly across the room to introduce himself. After several minutes of conversation he left. Jody turned to Jaymie and gave her ‘the look’.

“Mom, stop.” Jaymie rolled her eyes — it would be at least a year before the plot developed further.

Fast forward to the end of August 2021: Colin asked Jaymie on a date. Later that week, he picked her up in the evening and they drove to Value Village and spent the first hour buying old CD’s together (Colin purchased a used boom box ahead of time). They continued to Kitsilano Beach and spent the warm summer night under the stars listening to CD’s and talking at length. From there, the stage was set. Things developed quickly and they soon became inseparable.

February 17, 2022: a Valentine’s date was booked to take a ferry to the Sunshine Coast for the day. Colin picked Jaymie up and tried to keep his cool as a ring was concealed in the compartment of the driver-side door beneath a stack of napkins. After the ferry arrived, they pulled off the road to a secluded wharf that extended 50 yards from the beach — the sky was bright and overcast. They sat down on an old wooden bench at the end of the pier; after several minutes, Colin got down on one knee and asked her the question.