We met during a Trivia Night hosted by Edward's sister-in-law Susie (our "best man/maid of honour"), who discreetly set us up on a blind date. We played together and talked through the entire event. And then Michelle (the braver one) asked for Edward's number before we parted ways. We continued to speak online that night and over the next several days. High school yearbook photos were among the first messages we shared. But there were also puns, nerdy in-jokes and flirty compliments exchanged. No, it didn't take long for us to fall for one another.

We continued to speak multiple times a day online, intermixed with a series of multi-hour phone calls. We went on a casual lunch date (after which Edward met Willow, Michelle's daughter). Got together at her sister's house for a movie night and so Edward could meet Hunter (Michelle's son). We met each other's parents and other family. Toward the end of July, we got dressed up and Michelle accompanied Edward as his "plus one" to a friend's wedding. This adventure involved us driving together, socializing as a couple, sneaking away for photos and one or two songs on the dance floor. It was a wholly unique test of our shared chemistry and confirmation of our commitment to one another. It felt effortless.

More and more time together. Deeper conversations. Some larger family gatherings. Trips to local parks. Hanging out with the kids and more than a handful of sleepovers. And even a larger day trip and picnic together at Dorset Tower with Hunter & Willow. In short order, we were becoming a family. Edward began treating his condo as the place where he kept his things and Michelle's apartment as his home.

Visits with friends. Taco nights. Video chats. Grocery trips and chore lists. LEGO lessons and puzzle nights. An official "first day of school." Tantrums, flu shots and bike trails. Colouring books and sickness; baked goods and holidays. Homework, bowling, potty training and an IKEA trip. We even concluded our first four months together with a "couples costume" inspired by Edward Scissorhands (wigs styled by Susie; hands crafted by Michelle)

After Hallowe'en, hockey for Hunter and a birthday party for Willow, we were preparing for our first Christmas together when we received a diagnosis. An undernourished Willow (due to a refusal to eat anything but breast milk straight from the source) would bring about six months of turmoil. At a year, she weighed less than she did at six months, so she was fitted with a feeding tube and we settled in for months of confusion, near-calamity and cuteness. Similar to us attempting to build a gingerbread house kit together (which would become a yearly tradition), we tackled Willow's recovery head-on. We learned all about how to manage feedings, how to introduce solids, how to re-install an untimely ripped tube, and how to sleep through the night.

Over the course of our second half a year together, Michelle learned what having a supportive partner is really all about and Edward learned he was with a talented, confident, forthright person who excels at taking charge and being a caring, empathetic, devoted mother. We also experienced a Christmas, New Year's, an Easter and a handful of various other monumental firsts -- but few compare to the stress test that was Willow's tube. We survived our first Winter together, built on the foundation of our relationship in 100 different ways and Willow was tube-free by Summer. To celebrate together and acknowledge our one-year anniversary, we attended a much-nerdier "Lord of the Rings" Trivia Night.

In June, Michelle threw Edward a party, complete with food, decorations, and a Scott Pilgrim cake. Little did she know, however, there was no need. Edward had already begun devising his proposal plan in early Spring. He had originally planned to propose on our one-year anniversary, but when the ring wasn't ready in time, he moved the day to an upcoming concert we would both be attending in late August. We kept busy with a family zoo trip, pool parties, a day trip to Santa's Village and the usual family get-togethers, park visits and one or two meal dates. All the while, our forthcoming concert evolved into a full-on day in Toronto, complete with a love lock, eyeball art, pizza plans, special socks, and an invigorating rickshaw ride (long story) -- all leading up to a memorable night.

Edward prepared photos of our first year together and employed the help of his parents, brother and sister-in-law to facilitate the proposal he had in mind. The custom-designed ring completed, he constructed a LEGO Pokeball holder and elaborate Pokemon-themed prop using Pokemon keychains (Michelle's first in-joke gift to Edward). While they were at the concert, Susie set up Michelle's living room: hanging photos, lights and placing flowers. This way, upon arriving home, Edward could read his prepared words and propose we take things to the next level. Michelle gave an elated "yes" and a few days later we took this engagement photo.

Since then, we've been through a major renovation together, the pure chaos of combining households, Hunter transitioning to a new school, Willow becoming a fully fledged toddler, applying for a mortgage as a couple, and coordinating both a Stag and Doe and Wedding in a little over nine months. That, and a whole mess of smaller holidays, special occasions, difficult hurdles and photo opportunities. There have been squabbles and miscommunication, full-on arguments and meltdowns, stubbornness and the odd misstep or faux pas. But there has also been love and affection, growth and compassion, as well as enough patience, understanding and humour to mitigate any unanticipated relationship stress test. Through it all, our foundation of respect remained intact and we're excited to make this more official!