Katie's story

Some stories prove that happily ever after can happen at the least expected moment and in the least expected place.

Paul and I met in 2007 and we ran in the same circle of friends for a few years.  I'd see him at cottage weekends, movie nights and at least one epic New Years Eve party.  Eventually I moved to Toronto to attend Ryerson University and when I came home, I lost touch with a lot friends. 

Fast forward to February 2015.  I reconnected with Paul at a Sentries show at the House of Targ and we hung out and talked well into the night.  We started hanging out and going rock climbing together.  As spring turned into summer, we started dating and we very quickly fell in love.  And not just love, but LOOOOOOOVE.  

Paul and I would watch 3rd Rock from the Sun and laugh until our sides ached. We'd spend hours discussing art, philosophy and psychology and how the different fields would intersect. We planned perfect days of hiking and projects that seamlessly flowed into perfect evenings of shows and roof wine. I knew right away that this is the kind of life I wanted and that Paul is the person I wanted to grow old with. 

Throughout the summer, we planned a trip to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro. We enjoyed training for the climb in Gatineau Park, on Greenbekt trails and on camping and canoe trips. 

In September, it was finally time to make the climb. We had been dating for 6 months, but we were ready for anything the world wanted to throw our way.  The climb to the summit of the mountain remains one of the hardest things I've ever done. It was cold and damp and dark and we were tired and had to fight for every breath and every step that would bring us closer to the top of the mountain.  But Paul and I never lost sight of each other and anytime one of us needed anything, whether it was water or a word of encouragement or a song to lift our spirits up, the other one was ready to provide it. And the reward was so incredibly worth the effort. We had the opportunity to watch the sun slowly rise over the horizon from 19,000 feet above sea level and watch as the inky black sky slowly turned orange before fading to a gentle, pale blue. That image is the inspiration for our wedding colours.

After watching the sunrise, we still had a few hours of hiking before reaching the summit and feelings of awe, excitement and exhaustion battled each other. The views along the rim were so spectacular and immense, it could make you weep with gratitude for the chance to see them. As we neared the summit, Paul told me that he wished he brought a ring.  And, of course, once we reached Uhuru peak, as I was struck dumb with the beauty that surrounded me, Paul tapped me on the shoulder, got down on one knee and told me that he would never never be able to pass up an opportunity like this and he asked me to be his wife.  That climb truly convinced me that we can accomplish anything and survive everything life will throw at us as long as we stay positive and take it one step at a time; pole pole.