Whitney and Steven's paths first crossed on a bright, sunny day in 2006, under rather unusual circumstances—Whitney had stolen his dog, Butch. Ok, so it was less dramatic than it sounds. Whitney and her friend saw a cute Jack Russel Terrier on the side of the road, picked him up and took him for a joy ride down Consort Main Street. They were embracing a bad-girl persona when guilt set in quickly, compelling them to return Butch to his rightful owner. This impulsive act marked Whitney and Steven's initial meeting, but it was not until years later, in 2014, that their story truly began.

Their first date was far from conventional. Whitney was moving into a trailer in Consort, and her mom and stepdad Bruce helped her move her things into her new home. In the middle of moving, Steven showed up to assist with Chinese food take-out in tow. Amidst all the moving boxes and half-built furniture, they all took a break to share a cozy meal on what would be Whitney's dining room floor. This grounded beginning foreshadowed the simplicity and warmth that would define their relationship.

Steven introduced Whitney to his daughter Logan and his son Maddox in the summer of 2014 — Whitney immediately fell in love. As the year unfolded, she bonded with Logan and Maddox and watched Steven embrace fatherhood. By 2015, Steven and Whitney moved in together, and in 2016, they found their dream location that quickly turned into their forever home. Sharing memories from over the years, their fondest ones include camping trips to Big Knife Provincial Park as a family: hiking the Hoodoos, playing outdoor games, going fishing, tubing on the lake, and enjoying S'Mores together by the campfire. In 2021, they began adding more little campers to their family by welcoming their son Bryer, and again in 2023 with their son, Quade.

I know what you’re thinking (we all were!), “We have made it to 2023, and Steven still hasn’t asked Whitney to tie the knot?”. Little did we know, Steven was keeping a big secret. For months Steven was working closely with Whitney's mom and a ring designer to create something that would perfectly depict how much she meant to him. By incorporating diamonds from her mom's wedding band, Steven was able to create the perfect ring. There were a select few people who knew this was happening and that a proposal was on the horizon, including Logan and Maddox - who knew since the beginning but didn't dare let the beans spill.

The day finally came. It was December 22, 2023 and Steven picked up Logan and Maddox from their moms and brought them home for an early Christmas get together. The evening rolled around and Steven whipped up a delicious dinner, which they all enjoyed before gathering as a family in the living room. Steven was sitting close to Whitney as she was cradling a sleeping Quade, Bryer was playing on the floor and Logan and Maddox were entertaining conversation. Steven quickly got up and left the room, returning moments later with a dozen roses and a card for Whitney, asking her to read the card out loud. Thinking it was just a loving Christmas gift, Whitney sniffed the roses and began to read. As she read, feeling full of love, Whitney began to cry. Finally realizing she wasn't just reading a heartfelt message --it was a proposal; crafted together by Steven and the kids. Steven dropped to one knee and asked, "Will you marry me?" and without any hesitation, Whitney shouted, "YES!".

Now here we are in 2024, eagerly waiting the day they will finally say "I do" surrounded by their closest friends and family.