A quick history of our amazing seven years together.​

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Graham and Kristie met the first day of college, and soon formed a small group of friends which allowed them to grow closer. Neither of them were looking for a relationship at the time, but some things are just meant to be.

Kristie quickly fell head over heels for Graham and his beautifully kind heart. Graham took a little longer to be persuaded, but shortly came around. They began dating near the end of September 2010, and have been inseparable ever since. They spent many nights walking the campus together hand in hand, taking in every moment, while Graham would teach Kristie about all the plants he learned about that day, and how to identify them. She remembers not one.

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After only 3 months of dating, Kristie spent her first Christmas in Qualicum Beach with the Cave family. Immediately falling in love with Vancouver Island, she knew she would be back! When summer came around they knew it would be difficult to spend 4 months apart, so Kristie and Graham's mother, Adele, worked together to plan a surprise trip for Kristie to visit Qualicum for a few days. Graham was very surprised, and his face - priceless!

Returning to college in the fall of 2011 Graham took on campus employment as a Residents Assistant (RA) in the dorms. Second year was tough, but they stuck together and continued to grow and learn about one another, deciding that when summer came around this year, they would move in together somewhere in Calgary. How exciting! It was a scary but very thrilling step. They spent the summer exploring the city and everything it had to offer, before returning back to Olds for their third year.

Graham continued his employment as an RA in the dorms, while Kristie chose to live off campus. This was their final year in Olds, as Kristie's program was being transferred, and she would need to postpone and continue her studies in Calgary.

In the following years, they moved apartments a few times, both working locally. Fall of 2014 Kristie began to finish her diploma at her new campus downtown, graduating in 2015. It was in these years that their relationship really began to mature, and they would discuss the important stuff - marriage, buying a house, and moving to BC.

 

After Kristie's graduation they made the decision that they were ready to make the big move to Vancouver, after Graham's peak season was over. They decided in order to maximize their final 6 months in Alberta, before moving in November, Kristie would move home to Athabasca and work for her parents while being close to her family. While Graham moved in with a friend in Calgary to save money.

The plan didn't go quite as expected and Kristie was offered a job in Vancouver, but needed to begin work in October. Terrified (but brave) to move alone, Kristie made the 15 hour drive with her mom, Tracey - to Vancouver. Graham moved as planned in November, and they have spent the past two years working, and trying to soak up all that the coast has to offer.

 

September 2017 marks 7 incredible years together. To celebrate, they took a quiet weekend getaway to Campbell River. On Sunday morning before they headed home, they made a stop at Miracle Beach to explore. It was a cold, beautiful, crisp, sunny day. They wandered the beach for about an hour before Graham began telling Kristie about how he can't imagine a lifetime without her.

And you guessed it! He got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. Through all the tears she replied, "Of course!".  After ecstatically sharing their news with close family and friends (and champagne of course) they made their trip home. 

Best ferry ride, ever.

 

They have been joyfully planning their wedding ever since, and have plans to move to the Island shortly before the big date.

The excitement never ends! And this is just the beginning.