It all started with a friend's playful suggestion. He was teasing, or so Joy thought. But when he said, "Hey, I think you and my friend would get along. Should I give him your number?" Joy didn’t take it seriously at first. Joy thought this was just another one of his classic jokes. But she shrugged it off and said, "Sure, go ahead." She had no idea that he meant it.

So, Dan got Joy's number, but instead of texting something clever, he spent two hours agonizing over the perfect message. After all that time... he sent a simple "Hi Joy." Classic, right?

But it didn’t stop there. They started texting every day, even when he was juggling three jobs and only getting two hours of sleep a night. Somehow, he always found a way to message Joy, and their connection grew stronger.

One day, Dan finally gathered the courage to ask Joy out for coffee on Victoria Day but at 10:00PM. Now, Joy love coffee as much as anyone, but let's be real—sleep is priority. So, Joy countered with the idea of grabbing a McFlurry instead. They agreed, and that became their first official date. They spent the evening sitting in Dan's 2007 Nissan Versa in the Goodwill parking lot, eating ice cream, listening to Ben & Ben, and chatting as fireworks lit up the sky around them. It felt like magic, like the start of something special.

Dan showed up at Joy's house a few days later, bringing sticky rice as an excuse to see her (lol). So many of their early dates happened in his car—sipping bubble tea, sharing childhood stories, and just being present with each other. He also dropped off numerous food at Joy's house, hoping to impress Joy but more importantly, Joy's mom.

The real turning point was June 6, 2021. Dan asked Joy if he could pursue her, and they'll never forget that day. They had bubble tea and then Dan showed Joy videos and pictures from his childhood. Before the night ended, he opened the trunk of his car, revealing a beautiful setup with lights and roses. It was simple but so heartfelt, and she knew right then that this was something special.

From there, they continued their adventures. Their next date took them to Wildwood, where Dan had prepared brunch for them, surrounded by nature. The next date was at Crabby’s, where Joy ate wings with a fork and knife. And, of course, Dan followed suit. Later, they watched the sunset in Goderich, making a game of guessing exactly when the sun would dip below the horizon. Of course, Joy won.

It’s funny how something so simple—a text, a McFlurry, a few shared moments—can turn into a love that you never expected. Now, here we are, preparing to spend the rest of our lives together. It all started with a friend’s playful nudge, and here we are, ready to start the next chapter of our story.

Wedding Day