There are many versions that float around when it comes to the beginning of "Mandy & Jonas's Love Story".

It all depends on who you ask!

It all started two years before they met, Mandy was trying to find herself and wanted to go back to school but she didn't know what for. She had a conversation with Ashley Tulecki who was Mandy's sister's High school best friend. Ashley had previously taken the (PSW) Personal Support Worker Program and thought Mandy would excel with working with seniors. Ashley convinced Mandy to apply to the program and was excepted for the upcoming fall of 2015.

Fast forward a year, Mandy had met and became friends with Jonas's sister Jada. The two sat in their PSW college classroom and flipped through pictures on their phones of their families. Jada was showing off pictures of her two beautiful nieces Jordyn and Layla when she came across old pictures of her brothers. Mandy asked if her twin brothers were single and sarcastically said to let her know when they were. (Exact pictures below)

A year later when Jonas was finally single, he started seeing pictures of Mandy popping up on Jada's Facebook timeline. On January 31st, 2017 Jonas called Jada and had a conversation where he said that he thought Mandy was "cute" and asked if they could all get together so he could get to know her.

On that same day, Mandy joined a dating app called Bumble. She came across a guy who looked identical to Jada's twin brothers. Mandy was curious if it was one of them and liked his profile. Minutes later they matched and started talking. Mandy told him he looked really familiar and asked him if he had a sister named Jada. While Mandy waited for a response, Jada called. Mandy told Jada about the guy she was talking to and asked if he was one of her brothers, to which she confirmed that he was NOT. Jada told Mandy, "You're not going to believe it, my brother Jonas who is a twin is interested in you". Mandy just about died! They laughed about the coincidence as Mandy logged into Facebook to creep Jonas's profile and told Jada she was VERY interested in getting to know him and to let him know.

Leading up to this day, Mandy prayed every night for God to place the man she was meant to be with in her life in a way that was undeniable. This wasn't just a coincidence, it was destiny!

On February 20th 2017, Jonas messaged Mandy on Facebook. They started to get to know each other. A few weeks had passed and they decided to plan a double date with Jada and her boyfriend (now husband Kyle) to finally meet in person. Jada canceled and Jonas messaged Mandy asking if she still wanted to go on the date just the two of them. Completely out of Mandy's character she replied, "Sure :)".

Is Ashley responsible? Did Mandy initiate the relationship? Did Jada set them up? Did Jonas make the first move? Or, all of the above? We'll let you be the judge!

On March 18th, 2017 around 6:30pm Jonas drove 45 minutes from his home in Stratford to Mandy's house in Waterloo. Jonas was nervous the whole drive down to Waterloo, 45 minutes had never felt longer in his whole life!

While Jonas was on his way, Mandy was freaking out! Clothes flew all over her bedroom as she had countless outfit changes. Thankfully her older sister Laurie showed up and was there to help narrow down the options!

Jonas pulled up in front of the house in his two door Honda Coupe. Mandy caught a glance of him from the living room through the front window and said to her mom, dad and sister "he's here". Jonas knocked on the door and Mandy greeted him on the porch and they exchanged the MOST awkward side hug. Mandy swears up and down in that moment it was like two souls who were meant to find each other finally reuniting. When she looked up into his green eyes and MELTED and knew she never wanted to stop looking into them.

Jonas being the gentleman he is, opened the car door for Mandy and drove to East Side Mario's for dinner. Unfortunately, it was very noisy in the restaurant so they spent most of their dinner leaning over the table trying to hear each other. Both were too nervous to eat and boxed up their food. When the bill arrived, Mandy had already pulled out her wallet to pay for her half and Jonas refused to let her pay and insisted to pay for the full meal.

They hopped back in the car and drove to the Landmark Cinema for a 7pm show of Beauty and the Beast. For the following 2 hours and 19 minutes they sat in complete silence looking over and smiling at each other during the movie.

Once the movie was over Mandy suggested going to the Tim Hortons closest to her house to spend time talking. The two spent the next four hours getting to know each other next to a fireplace. They asked each other every question they could think of as they took turns playing 20 questions. The most memorable conversation of the night was when Mandy asked Jonas, "Do you like Christmas?" Jones responded with a big smile on his face, "I love Christmas, it's my favourite holiday." Mandy replied, "Me too! When do you celebrate Christmas? Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?" Jonas replied, " Christmas Day". Mandy took a sigh of relief and said, "Good! Mine celebrates it on Christmas Eve and Santa usually shows up." Jonas replied, "I can't wait to see that!"

The two had talked all night as if they had known each other their whole lives and were old friends catching up. That night Mandy fell in love with Jonas and little did they know, their lives had been changed forever.

After a tea, hot chocolate and Boston cream doughnut later, they noticed it was close to 2am and decided that since Jonas still had a 45-minute drive home it was smart to call it a night even though they wanted to stay. Just before they left, Mandy suggested to take a picture together where they spent the evening getting to know each other to remember the night. Jonas then dropped Mandy off and was on cloud nine all the way home. When Mandy got home, she immediately crawled into her mom’s bed and woke her up. The first thing out of Mandy's mouth was, "Mom, I think I just met my future husband!" Her mom shot straight up and said, "Tell me all about him!". The two talked about Jonas until the sun came up.

From that day forward the two have been inseparable ever since.

On March 24th, 2017 Mandy’s cousin Angele drove her to Stratford as Mandy had planned to visit Jonas that evening. Jonas had planned a game night with a few of his closest friends so Mandy could get to know them. Once the game night was over Jonas walked Mandy to Angele’s house where she would be staying that night. On the walk there, Jonas had confessed to Mandy that he really liked her and was committed to only pursuing her. Mandy was flattered and told Jonas she was romantically interested in him as well and haven’t been talking to anyone else. Both agreed that they would only pursue each other. As Mandy walked in the house, they waved goodbye. The following day Jonas picked Mandy up from Angele’s house and drove them to the Cambridge conference Centre where they had planned to have a paint night date together. The painting was called love undercover; they painted a couple holding a red umbrella while kissing at a lake and a city silhouette in the background. Once they finished painting, they headed to a Spaghetti dinner hosted by a non-profit organization called Sertoma that Mandy’s mom belonged to. When they arrived, they sat at a table with a Mandy’s aunt, uncle and family friends. Later on that evening Mandy’s sister Laurie showed up as well as her grandma and aunt and sat at the table with them. As Jonas was getting acquainted with everyone Mandy received a text from her dad saying that he had arrived. Mandy and Jonas excuse themselves to greet her dad outside the hall. Mandy gave her dad Peter a hug as she introduced Jonas. Peter put out his hand and gave Jonas a handshake. The first thing out of Peter’s mouth was “so, you’re the one my daughter won’t stop talking about”. Mandy and Jonas both blushed and chuckled at the comment. Peter than changed topics and showed Jonas his moose wall paper on his phone. Jonas replied, “That’s a nice moose Pete!” Peter smiled and said, “I like him!” When it was time for the spaghetti to be served Mandy walked up to the counter that her mom Julie was standing behind. She quickly introduced Jonas and Julie said she couldn’t wait to get to know him later. Once the event was over Jonas, Mandy and Laurie went back to the house. The three played a board game as they waited for Mandy’s parents to come home from takedown. For the next hour Laurie was able to get to know Jonas. When Julie came home, she greeted Mandy and Jonas on the couch. Julie sat on the floor in front of them and ask Jonas rapid-fire questions to get to know him. To seal the deal Julie asked Jonas when he celebrated Christmas. When he answered, “Christmas Day” Julie smiled and replied “good answer!” As Julie got up and walked away, she said with a sign of approval “So when are you too getting married?”. Both Mandy and Jonas turned beet red. Mandy’s family loved Jonas from the first day they met him.

The following weekend Jonas took Mandy home to meet his parents. When they arrived in Stratford, they greeted Jonas’s father Matthew at the school he worked at as he was coaching his basketball team. Matthew greeted Mandy with a handshake and said, “It’s nice to see you”. Jonas and Mandy stayed and watched the practice. When they arrive back to Jonas’s house his mother Shannon greeted Mandy at the door with open arms and gave her a big hug. She said how great it was to finally see Mandy again as it had been too long. With a confused look on Jonas’s face he replied, “Again?”. Mandy smiled and told Jonas that she already knew some of his family because his mom and his grandmother Beverly had attended Mandy and Jada’s PSW pinning ceremony as well as his dad, mom and twin brother Caleb attended their graduation.

While Mandy and Shannon stood by the front door catching up, Jonas went into his nieces’ room and brought them out to meet Mandy. Both girls were nervous at first and stood behind Jonas, Mandy got on her knees to be at eye level with them. Jonas introduced Layla and Jordyn to Mandy and scooted them towards her. Mandy asked the girls how old they were and they replied, " FIVE” Mandy asked if they liked princesses and Layla responded, “I do!” Mandy asked Layla which princess she wanted to be and Layla responded, “Belle!” Mandy asked Jordyn what she liked and she responded, “Spiderman!”. Mandy sat on the floor with the girls to get to know them and by the end of the night they were all over her. From day one the entire family made Mandy feel welcomed and accepted.

On April 1st, 2017 was Jonas and Mandy's 3rd date. Jonas took Mandy to tour Dundurn Castle in Hamilton. Jonas planned this date as a complete surprise for Mandy and all she knew was the time he would be picking her up and the dress code.

On the drive there, Jonas and Mandy discussed what their relationship status and if they wanted to make it official. Mandy told Jonas that she wanted him to formally ask her to be his girlfriend when it was the right time and place. Jonas agreed that he wanted to make that moment special for Mandy and to have it be a meaningful memory. As Jonas was driving, he looked over at Mandy and said, "Can I ask you something? Would it be ok if I held your hand?" Mandy smiled and said, "Of course!" Jonas slipped his hand over to Mandy's lap and they interlocked their fingers. This was the first time they held hands and they didn't let go until they arrived at the destination.

Once they arrived at the castle Mandy was in awe, and Jonas explained what they were going to do there. They had arrived early and had enough time to tour the gift shop. Once they looked at all the souvenirs, they decided to purchase cards that had old pictures of the building on the cover.

They waited outside the castle for the tour to begin. Standing alone with Mandy, Jonas grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes. With a grin on his face he said, "Will you be my girlfriend?" Mandy smiled back at Jonas and said, "Yes!" Talk about prince charming asking her at a castle!

Their tour group was quite large, Jonas and Mandy stayed behind the crowd and took their time looking in all the rooms and couldn't resist touching anything they could get their hands on. They discussed what it would be like to live in that era and what furniture they liked.

Once the tour was over Jonas and Mandy explored outside the castle and walked through the Kitchen Garden. They then came across a small military museum on the premises. Inside they found enclosed artifacts of weapons and clothing. Off to a corner was a basket of props and clothing for guests to try on. Mandy put on a hat and jacket, she made funny faces and possess in the mirror. This was the first time Jonas saw the goofy side of Mandy. He chuckled and grabbed some clothing to try on and joined her. He was so happy that Mandy felt comfortable enough around him that she could be herself. Both danced around the mirror and made each other laugh while they tried to act like people from that era.

Jonas says he fell in love with Mandy when he, "Saw her be 100% authentically herself, bursting with joy, laughter and beauty."

On April 8, 2017 Jonas and Mandy were parked in Zhers parking lot. Jonas and Mandy laughed at the Zhers sign as the “E” flickered on and off and joked how it read “Zhrs”. Jonas looked over at Mandy and asked “I was wondering if I could kiss you yet? “. Mandy replied “right here? In a Zhrs a parking lot?” Jonas blushed and said,” No, I was wondering if we could kiss soon.” Mandy chuckled, “yes”.

That night, Jonas slept over on Mandy’s couch. All night Mandy tossed turned thinking “tomorrow’s going to be the day I’m going to kiss him and I want to make the special!”

The next morning was a bright and sunny day. Mandy told Jonas that she wanted to take him somewhere and that it would be a surprise. The two hopped in his car and Mandy put the location on GPS. Mandy had taken Jonas the Kissing Bridge in Conestoga. Once they arrived, they held hands and walked towards the bridge, as they got closer Jonas noticed a sign that read "Kissing Bridge" and began to blush. They walked through the bridge and onto the grass beside the lake. Mandy told Jonas that the location meant something to her. She told the story of when she was a kid her Grandpa took her family there and they counted her sisters’ steps as they walked through the bridge, which of course weren't the same.

They enjoyed the scenery for a while and walked around for a bit talking. Out of nowhere a large dark rain cloud blew above them and started pouring rain. Jonas and Mandy ran as fast as they could inside the bridge to stay dry. They held each other laughing and watched as cars passed through the bridge. As they waited for the rain to stop, Jonas and Mandy looked deeply into each other’s eyes, Jonas asked Mandy if he could kiss her and Mandy said yes. Jonas then put his hand on Mandy’s face as they leaned in for the kiss. The rain lasted long enough for them to have their first kiss and then the sky immediately returned to blue. Needless to say, butterflies were felt that day.

It was as if a force wanted them finally kiss.

Fast forward to March of 2018, Mandy had asked Jonas if he would ever consider buying her a promise ring. Mandy said she like the idea of having a ring on her finger that represented she was taken and that they were committed to work towards a real future together. Jonas agreed and the two went shopping at the nearest jewellery stores. After many stores, both settled on a dainty gold ring with tiny diamonds along the band and a small diamond in the middle. It was perfect! It didn’t quite look like an engagement ring but similar enough that one day it could be replaced as one. Mandy was aware that Jonas had purchased the ring, he told her he would give it to her when he felt the time was right.

On December 16th 2018, Jonas and Mandy had spent the afternoon in Stratford with Jonas's parents. Jonas had spent the afternoon helping his father Matthew run errands while Mandy stayed at the house with his mother Shannon and two nieces Layla and Jordyn. Late into the evening after the girls had gone to bed, Jonas told Mandy he was going to help his dad with “one more thing” in the office and not to bother him. Not thinking anything of it Mandy and Shannon sat in the living room and exchanged pleasant conversations for the next hour and a half.

It was around 9 o'clock when Jonas finally finished up and was ready to leave. They said their goodbyes, gave hugs and hopped in the car. In the driveway Jonas looked over at Mandy and said, "Do you trust me?" Mandy taken back replied, "With my life." Jonas then proceeded to tell Mandy he wanted to blindfold her and take her somewhere. Mandy cautiously agreed, and helped him blindfold her. Jonas then drove to McDonalds, parked under a streetlight and told Mandy not to peak. He went inside and purchased two ice-creams for them to enjoy after the real surprise. Jonas hopped back in the car placed them in the cupholders and told Mandy not to feel around. He asked Mandy if she had any idea where she was or what she thought Jonas was up to. Mandy told Jonas she had absolutely no clue.

Jonas then proceeded to drive downtown to Victoria Lake in Stratford. He parked the car, opened Mandy’s door, guided her out of the car and took the blindfold off. Mandy looked around and was disoriented. Jonas took her hand and guided her over a large steep bridge that led to Tom Patterson’s Island. Jonas and Mandy sat down on the nearest bench. Jonas pulled out a hand written letter from his jacket that promised their lives together and everything he would continue to do to make the relationship last a lifetime together. Once he finished the letter, he pulled out the ring from his pocket and asked Mandy if she would promise the same things. Mandy said yes and he put the ring on her finger and gave her a hug and kiss. They were both on cloud nine!

The two then hopped back into the car and drove to Jonas’s parents’ house. Shannon opened the door for them confused as she thought the two had left for home. Jonas asked his mom if she would get his dad because he had something he wanted to share with them. When Matthew came to the living room Jonas told them that he had just given Mandy a promise ring. Both were shocked and excited as they didn’t know that was happening and gave them hugs and congratulations. Their faces were in awe as the ring sparkled under a light on Mandy’s hand. Jonas admitted that he in fact was not helping his dad with anything in the office and that he was writing and rewriting his promise letter. As they left, his parents congratulated them once again.

Mandy texted her mom and told her not to go to bed as she wanted to talk to her when she got home. On the way home the two enjoyed the ice cream’s Jonas had gotten earlier and talked about the evening. When they arrived at Mandy’s house her mother Julie greeted them in the kitchen. Mandy told her that Jonas had given her a promise ring just before they drove home. Julie was so happy, she grabbed Mandy’s hand, looked at the ring and gave Jonas a big kiss on his cheek. She said that she was so happy that Jonas was one step closer to being her son-in-law. She gave lots of hugs and congratulated them. They then went into the living room and stood by the Christmas tree where they took pictures of the ring. Mandy couldn’t sleep at all that night as she mostly stared at the ring sparkling on her hand.

That was the best Christmas gift Jonas has ever gotten Mandy!

Leading Up To The Proposal

Jonas had purchased the engagement ring three years before he decided to propose, with the exact ring setting Mandy had said she liked. He kept the ring at his parents house for safe keeping so Mandy wouldn't accidentally come across.

Jonas planned the proposal months in advance, he knew where he wanted to propose but wanted help executing his plan perfectly with help from family. Jonas asked his parents Shannon and Matthew, his sister Jada and Mandy's parents Julie and Peter to help him with the proposal, on the day of. The plan was for Jonas to propose at Dundurn Castle, where Jonas fell in love with Mandy back in 2017.

On September 19 2021, Jada sent Mandy a text asking if she was available on Oct 2nd around 11:30am to go to a nail salon for a girls day. Jada's text said, "I know this really cute place in Hamilton I've been wanting to check out for sometime. I was thinking if we meet up for the afternoon, have some good time just the two of us, grab lunch. Explore the town and catch up. Then maybe a double date with the boys later on that day?"

Mandy was confused as to why they weren't planning on going to a salon in town but shrugged it off as it would be more time they would spend together. The plan to get Mandy to Hamilton for the proposal was a piece of cake as Jonas knew Mandy wanted to get together with Jada and would easily say yes to girl time.

October 2nd 2021 - The Proposal

Mandy and Jada were on the road by 11:30am for their 12:30 appointment. They had accidentally missed their exit on the highway and had to take the country route. Unfortunately they were caught in traffic due to an accident that had delayed them 45 minutes. Worried they were going to miss their appointment Mandy was able to call and notify them of their status and were told they would be seen once they arrived.

Jonas was quick to start loading the vehicle with the supplies he wanted to bring to set up after Mandys departure. Jonas and the parents met up at Dundurn Castle to decorate the exterior of the the small chapel locate on site. Later that afternoon, the photographer named Jen that Jonas hired arrived to capture the proposal.

Once Mandy and Jada were done getting their nails done they sat in the car and caught on lost time. They lost track of time while talking and were late to the proposal. Mandy was under the impression that they were going to meet up with Jonas and Jada’s husband Kyle at Dundurn after their appointment. Upon arrival at Dundurn, they walked around the building and were greeted by Julie and Shannon who hid behind a bush not to be seen. When the two popped out Mandy was stunned! Jada quickly started the GoPro she was carrying to capture the moment. Julie told Mandy to change into the flats she was holding. Mandy was in complete disarray and kept asking, "this is it?" while crying happy tears. Julie had Mandy's sister Laurie on FaceTime in her hand as Laurie was out of town during the proposal. The four walked down the hill to Jonas while Mandy cried.

As Mandy walked the path leading to her down down the hill to the chapel with Julie and Shannon alongside her, she noticed Matthew with a video camera recording and her dad Peter taking pictures waiting for Mandy to embrace Jonas.

When Mandy got to the bottom of the hill, Jonas stood tall in his Navy Blue suit with a grin on his face. Jonas grabbed Mandy's hand and waked to to the top step of the chapel. Jonas spoke from his heart and knelt down on one knee and proposed. Mandy cried with excitement and said “Yes”. The two embraced and and took in the excitement. The moment Mandy had been waiting for, for five years had finally come.

Jonas had planned for an immediate engagement shoot following the proposal with the photographer he hired to capture the proposal. Thankfully Jonas and had brought a few change of clothes for Mandy to change into. The two were able to walk the whole exterior of the castle for their pictures capturing the love and excitement from the day.