It's A Love Story..: Our Story..

I think most people know our story..

The story of Chad & I

But for those who don't know, or those who just want to look back on it (like me), I thought I would share our story in a blog! :)

Can listen to this awesome song if you would like, while you read the blog :)

The Beginning..

It all started September long weekend of 2009.

My beautiful most amazing cousin, Amy, told me of a guy she thought I really needed to meet.

Meanwhile, Kyle (Amy's husband/Chad's cousin), told Chad of a girl he really needed to meet.

So Sept. long weekend, I decided to head out to Kelowna.

Amy, Kyle, Chad & I double dated & spent that long weekend all together!

September 18th, 2009, Chad "properly" asked me out!

CLEARLY, I said yes!!!..Chad & I were official.

How exciting!

Just a FEW ;) .. flights, greyhound trips, dates & so on later..

Chad & I decided to take a trip to the coast to visit his family there and just spend some quality time together walking around Granville Island Market & Stanley Park!

Saturday night, we decided to go for a little walk under the stars by Bruce's Market.

We walked down to the docks where all the fishing boats were and we sat on the Silver Totem boat for a little while just talking. Then Chad decided to POP the question!!

He pulled the ring out of his pocket & asked "Serena, will you marry me?"

It was the sweetest moment EVER!

Engaged May 8, 2010 at Ten Thirty pm.

My amazing mom & amazing Aunty Lori planned a fun bridal shower for me!

Everyone brought me one of their top recipes! I have tested a few out that have turned out SO yummy! I still have tons more to go through!

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Everyone also wrote out their marital advice for Chad & I :)

Here is some of the advice we got:

Don't go to bed upset. Work things out and make up before bed-Kristen

Never go to bed angry-Jacyntha

Never go to sleep mad at each other-Maralee

Make things in life IDEAL not an IDOL-Joan Cronin

Learn how to cook...No im just kidding! Learn how to talk things through & to appreciate each other even when things are bumpy. Never stop doing the little things-Christine Leonhardt

Never get too busy or too old to go on a date! At the end of the day tell your spouse one thing that you appreciate about them that day-Linette

Keep trust & honesty KEY for lasting true love!-Madison

Give lots of hugs-Tara

Don't let the sun go down on your anger. Always kiss & make up-Shirley

Tell your husband everyday how much you love him :)-Grama Donna

Be loving, always make up before going to bed, if you had a disagreement, be happy, and have a good sense of humor-Michelle

Something Uncle Jack Price told us 40 years ago: Always say "good night", never go to sleep angry at each other. Remember to be thankful for each effort the other is doing-Dona D

Say I love you at least once a day. Use your recipe cards & make a delicious dinner or whatever. Clean the house and do whatever your husband wants & surprise him-michelle manary

Never go to bed angry with each other :)-Lindsey Dreger

Always treat your husband like a King & he will treat you like a Queen<3-Aunty Kerri

Love like there is no tomorrow-Joni Goodkey

Let it be known Serena-Men are different than women. In every man is a 5 year old boy that wants to be appreciated. So keep him happy by saying I so appreciate that Chad & he will go do something else for you. Then happy you-Marj

Be nice to each other- Mikiyo Goto

When your husband say "Lets talk about this tomorrow" Don't push it, otherwise you'll end up in a fight. Its the good advise I got from my mother in law. I have been trying to do this for 4 years , sometimes I fail(When i forget to follow the advise)-Lidia Cronin

Its like a triangle with God at the top, Chad & you at the two bottom corners, and the closer to God you are, the closer you are to eachother-Amy

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Then came the wedding dress shopping with my mom, aunty kerri & amy.

The wedding dress I chose, was pretty much the first one I saw. But i didn't want to choose the first dress in case there was something better out there. So I tried a few other dresses on!

I remember when I tried on the dress I chose for the first time, Amy said "oh Rena! You literally just took my breath away! Thats the dress!"

Amy saying that, definitely 'sealed the deal'.

I knew that was THEE dress.

Getting the little top jacket for the dress was a WHOLE other story, and THANKfully I had the help of my AMAZING aunty kerri & AMAZING mom.

I wouldn't have been able to get the dress situation all figured out if it wasn't for the help of them!

My Aunty Kerri was SUCH a great help throughout the entire wedding!

When I got ready for the wedding & was in my wedding dress and ready to go, my aunty kerri started to tear up & it struck something in me and then before I knew it I was crying! ha-Great memories <3

Here are just a few 'behind the scene' pictures we quickly took while wedding dress shopping.

They were taken on a cell phone so not the best quality.