Jelissa and myself had been dating for 11 months when I left to work in BC for the summer. I was tree planting in an area with not much service so we couldn’t talk a lot on the phone. We both counted down the days to when I was done working there and could come home and see her. However, I was planning a surprise. She thought my return date was August 14, but I actually left a week early and drove from Prince George to Calgary without telling almost anyone back home. Jelissa’s best friend was in on the surprise and of course her dad, who I had asked before I left. She had organized an afternoon walk by a river with sentimental value for the two of them on Sunday, August 8. I nervously set up a spot by the river with a blanket, some candles and champagne as I waited for my girlfriend to come around the corner. Then, all of a sudden there she was. 5 weeks later, we were embracing each other again. Turning on our favourite song, I got down on one knee and asked the question I had rehearsed so many times before. Jelissa said yes (thank God) and we are getting married in a month from now. I am so grateful to spend the rest of my life with this woman!
