Shifa and Vik's journey began in elementary school at Doncrest Elementary. It was 2005 when Vik arrived in Grade 6, and from the very start, he wasn’t exactly kind to Shifa. Despite his tough exterior, Shifa couldn’t help but develop a little crush on him. Their paths crossed again in high school, where they found themselves in different social circles but with a shared group of mutual friends. Though they were always part of the same group, they never spent time alone, keeping their interactions light and casual.

That all changed in Grade 12, when Vik asked Shifa to prom. However, the catch was that they both already had dates. So, in a playful and unexpected twist, Vik suggested they swap dates. Shifa, not one to back down easily, turned him down. But fate had other plans. The night before prom, Vik’s date threw a party, and, since they lived so close to each other, Shifa and Vik ended up sharing a ride home with their friends. The evening took a magical turn when they reached a park near their homes and decided to walk the rest of the way. Under the vast sky filled with stars, they sat on a grassy hill and, while gazing at the stars, realized that the most beautiful thing they could see was the light in each other’s eyes.

That night sparked something neither of them had expected. Their friendship blossomed into something deeper, and they started spending more and more time together, growing closer with every shared moment. However, that summer, Shifa traveled to India for the entire break. Back then, long-distance communication wasn’t as easy as it is today, so they relied on long-distance phone calls to stay in touch. Despite the challenges, they found ways to connect, and those conversations only strengthened their bond.

When Shifa returned from India, they were inseparable. Soon after, Shifa moved to Carleton University in Ottawa to live in the dorms. Once again, the distance between them was a challenge, with a five-hour drive separating them. But Vik, never one to let distance come between them, made it a point to visit often. He started by taking the train, then the bus, and eventually, he bought a car just to make those trips easier. One particularly memorable Valentine’s Day, amidst a heavy snowstorm, Vik drove solo across Canada’s treacherous 401 highway to be with Shifa, carrying a stuffed animal and chocolates in tow. Though he had an exam the next day and couldn’t stay longer than the night, he made that dangerous journey just to be by her side. It was in that moment that Shifa truly understood how deeply Vik cared for her, and their relationship began to evolve into something more serious.

As the years passed, both Shifa and Vik graduated and eventually found themselves living separately in downtown Toronto, taking their time to explore the city on their own. But life had more adventures in store. Vik’s career took him across the globe, from Singapore to the San Francisco Bay Area, and finally to New York, where he now resides. Despite the distances, Shifa traveled extensively to visit him, and their bond only grew stronger.

Throughout their relationship, they discovered a shared passion for adventure—whether it was skiing, hiking, long-distance cycling, surfing, reading, or most recently, scuba diving. They became true kindred spirits, seeking out new experiences together in every corner of the world. Their shared love for travel and outdoor activities continues to define their relationship.

They're preparing the vows and continuing to building a life full of love, adventure, and shared dreams. You're invite you to be a part of this next chapter.

Q + A

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