How it all started?

First... Virtually...

Since 2018, Mike and I were members of an artist Facebook group called "Virtual Animation" for creating Virtual Reality art. We had seen our work and posts in the group from time to time, but not much direct communication.

On the fateful day of September 18, 2019, Mike posted a video showcasing a 3D VR Scene depicting the entire city of San Francisco! It absolutely blew my mind. His artwork captivated me, revealing his deep passion for the city, his craft, and the countless hours he must have poured into creating this mesmerizing scene—my love for San Francisco and the Bay Area. I couldn't resist striking up a conversation with him!

Here are some shots below of his amazing scene!

And then...?

We started to chat online, which was around at the start of the pandemic, from January to March of 2020. We even created a 3D world together, 'Hyacinth Treehouse,' in Virtual Reality to try to connect with each other! (2000 miles away from each other! The power of VR is crazy!)

So... you planned to meet in real life of course?

I really wanted to meet him in person, and I secretly booked a flight ticket in March to San Francisco to meet him in real life.

Alas, we could not meet in person... then.

I had to cancel my tickets because the borders to the U.S. were closed from March 21, 2020.

So? What did you do then?

In July 2020, Mike drove ALL the way from California to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada to try visit me in real life. (Wow...!)

He tried to go across to Canada, denied..

I tried to go across to United States... denied...

He went all this way! Please tell me you met!!

Mike was staying at Aune Osborn Campground, which was along the St. Mary's River on the U.S. side. I was at my parents' house, which is also along the St. Mary's River but on the Canadian side. If I stood at the end of my parents' dock, I could literally see his campground!

So we made a plan...

There are two buoys in front of my parents' house.

We each found ourselves a kayak and kayaked to the buoys.

(There's a screenshot of Google Maps below.)

My paddle from my parents' house was much easier, but Mike was kayaking across much more difficult waters! Major freighters and ships go through this river, and the St. Mary's River is the world's busiest canal in terms of tonnage that passes through!

Well??

We were so happy and enjoyed every moment on those kayaks and we knew we wanted to be with each other. Mike was also getting cheered on by the lovely campground folks of Aune Osborn Campground!

From then on, our favourite quote to define our story:

"Where there's a will, there's a way..."

- quoted from a man from Aune Osborn Campground, the campground where Mike stayed at during his visit (**ask us about this fun side story and we'll tell it at our wedding ;) ** )

Tell us about the dress!

I feel so honoured...

I have the opportunity to be able to wear my Grandma Priddle's (Anita) dress that she wore on her wedding day on May 21, 1955.

The emotions and stories this dress brings to life--it's truly something beautiful. Lots of love to you Grandma! <3

** Link below to the wedding invitation video I animated :) **:

https://youtu.be/bs5V7TlSMI8?si=NIH7lZN8Y1HOn8q9

And yes... inspired by our "Hyacinth Treehouse" VR world we made together, we made our own "Hyacinth Garden" in our house in California.