Five years ago, on a crisp Friday afternoon, Darren and I met for tea. As we sat across from each other, I was instantly struck by his kindness, intelligence, and charisma (Darren wrote this part ;). Darren later told me he felt the same way. There was an immediate connection, a spark that hinted at something extraordinary.


Conversation flowed effortlessly, and we discovered a deep alignment in our values and outlook on life. Darren eager to see me again and asked for a second date within minutes after the first one ended.


It was clear we had found something special.


One of our favourite memories is from a winter adventure at Hecla Island. We decided to ride bikes through the freshly fallen snow, laughing and enjoying the serene landscape. It was in these moments that we began to recognize the depth of our connection. We loved our time at Hecla so much, shortly after our trip, we bought our Little Deer cottage.


Purchasing a cottage together was a big step and it offered us a shared home. In the middle of painting the living room, I turned to find Darren had written a special message, covering an entire wall.


Blending our families was a significant step, and we were thrilled when our children—Bennett, Evan, and Nya—got along wonderfully. Their happiness and acceptance are vital to us.


Darren and I share a love for sunsets, often taking the time to watch the sky transform with brilliant hues as the day turns to night. These moments of quiet beauty have become a cherished ritual, symbolizing our shared appreciation for the simple yet profound joys in life.


Supporting each other’s dreams and ambitions has been a cornerstone of our relationship. Darren has been my rock, supporting my dreams and vision for the business, always encouraging me and believing in me. In turn, I strive to be his biggest supporter, celebrating his successes and standing by his side through challenges.


We knew we were each other’s person—the one who would always be there, no matter what.


The culmination of our love story was Darrens proposal. On a beautiful beach in Hawaii, under a setting sun, Darren got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. It was a moment of pure happiness, surrounded by the sound of waves and filled with love we felt for each other.


As we look forward to our future together, we are filled with gratitude for our incredible journey. Our friends and family have been our greatest supporters, and we are thankful for the values instilled in us by our parents, our amazing siblings and their partners, and our wonderful friends.


Thank you for sharing in our joy and celebrating this next chapter with us. We love you all!


With all our hearts, Willow & Darren