Our story started in the middle of a mass pandemic…

Val’s Perspective:

January 29th, 2022

I was invited to join a zoom meeting for ministry letter writing at 6 AM. To no one’s surprise I woke up late… Once I connected I thought I had the wrong login or maybe I wasn’t that awake yet because everyone was speaking FRENCH! I was soooo shy, I didn’t know anyone in the group. One by one the friends were sharing names and where they were from. This is when I saw Aimé. 👀 He was the most talkative of the group. As we continued on zoom, there was no way of not noticing Aimé, his warm charisma, big bright smile, and easy going persona. Although he caught my eye… I was not interested.

Aimé’s Perspective:

January 29th, 2022

During the pandemic, I was searching for ways to maintain my focus on my goals. I believed that joining the friend’s zoom would create an exchange of encouragement.

I heard of this zoom through people and thought of joining, which I did. I analyzed the group to see if I should stay longer or not. I thought; Am I being spiritually encouraged right now? That's when I saw Valerie. Oh Oui!!! Beautiful, really beautiful, but at the same time I didn't know her. Later on, she joined the conversation. She really listened to others, not just spending time but she cared, I felt it. She listened more than she spoke, I found her very genuine and thoughtful- All I needed to see to be curious about her.

Fast forward 8 months…we realized how much we had in common and without noticing, we started observing the inner person of the heart.

Aimé: “I feel butterflies”

Val: “I feel sharks”

With new fluttering feelings arising , there was no doubt something was unfolding.

We became official and maintained a long distance relationship flying 2,175 mi (3,501 km) back and forth every month!

Narrated by Aimé...

On September 6th, 2023 I was told that the engagement ring would not be ready for another month, I was a little bummed out, but still motivated. I started planning my proposal, I wanted to be ready to go as soon as the ring was finished.

The morning of Thursday, September 14th, I received a call that the ring would be ready sooner than expected. At 5pm the ring was ready. Perfect timing to surprise Val because I knew she did not expect me at her familys event that Saturday. Prodige (my brother) and I booked our tickets Friday afternoon to fly from Buffalo, NY.

September 16th, 2023

Saturday morning we started our road trip at 4 am, crossed the border, and flew from Buffalo Airport to LAX. As soon as we landed, Emily, (Val's sister) helped us to find a location for the next day proposal.

It wasn't easy to find the spot with the privacy Valerie would have wanted. Time was going fast and there we were at the family event. I surprised Valerie with my presence, but I informed her I couldn't stay longer, I would be flying back Sunday. During the party, Sam (Valerie's Uncle) suggested a location and I loved it.

September 17th, 2023

Valerie was under the impression our flight was at 4:30 pm and will be missing her family's scheduled dinner that night. By 2:30 pm we were on our way to LAX. While she's driving us all sad, her Uncle Sam was driving right behind to pick us up. We left with Sam while I kept texting Val until my flight took off hehe. Meanwhile, Val gets home and even though I left my duffle bag hidden under her bed she finds it and gets all suspicious. Esme (Val's mom) comes up with a reason to distract her, clutch as always.

On their way to dinner, Esme and Emily planned to stop for a random errand. This gave Valerie's friends and family time to be ready. Val finally arrived to the park where Emily would like to take pictures. (They were feeling themselves.)

As I stand in the spot waiting, there is a lady sleeping on the grass, Isabel, (Val's family member/photographer) who was ready to take pictures, Val has no idea. While she's walking she looks to her left and there I was walking towards her. She didn't have her glasses so she saw a tall man and she knew it was me. We met in the middle, I shared why I love her and why I want to spend my life with her. I pulled out a purple flower from my pocket and put it in her hair. I grabbed her hands and got down on one knee, at last I asked, Would you marry me? With tears of joy she answered yes.