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Karen and Marc - If you want to see the sunshine you have to weather the storm -
The Day we said I DO!!
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Let me take a minute to introduce ourselves. My name is Karen and my Fiancé's name Marc. We have been together for 10.5 years and we are planning our wedding for October 27th of this year. Marc and I first met during a gruelling dragon boat practice. With both of us not looking our best we donned our journey of learning more about each other. Although when we first met I was in a relationship that wasn't going well and Marc was not looking to get into the dating scene, we soon grew close to each other on a friendship level. After a few years, I was no longer in a relationship and Marc and I were spending more time together, we had bought motorcycles and began travelling. It was August of 2007 when I attended a dragon boat race in Barrie that Marc couldn't attend but rode out to meet us after to meet up. After we spent to weekend together Marc finally gained enough courage to ask me out. We spent the next 10 years discovering ourselves and doing many of the things we enjoy such as biking, hiking, camping, paddling, day trips etc.. We try to live each day to the fullest and support each other when times are tougher. During that last several years we had discussed the idea of marriage and life plans and we knew that we always did want to move forward but after we were out of debt. We had achieved this and knew that the question could be popped at any point.
It was a cool and dreary May 24 weekend in 2017 we had booked plans to go camping at Algonquin Provincial Park however we were left at last minute racing around to get our trip prepped to go for a relaxing weekend in the park. In preparation of our trip we looked at the forecast for the weekend to discover that it was predicted to be wet and cool for the duration of our trip. With plans being left to the last minute we were debating on even going. After a short decision process, we decided to make the best of it and go because we really needed a vacation. Although the thought had crossed my mind at first when we were planning this trip, the idea of a proposal was on the back burner just based on how everything was going. At the same time I was wracking my brain that if it did happen that weekend, where and when would it happen. With the truck all packed up and ready to go we began our journey north to Algonquin. Although we have been north many times we decided to make our first meal pit stop at a restaurant that we had never stopped at before. And since we love to support local business we make an effort to try new places unique to the area. We were pleasantly surprised with the meals that we got. Marc enjoyed the best nachos ever (handmade chips *YUM*) and I had the most amazing stuffed pork. A place we would definitely go back to again? After lunch we continued to journey north making our suspected pit stops along the way. We arrived at our Camp Ground, Canisbay in Algonquin and began to check in when we found out that our camp ground was without any service of water or electricity. Many of the campers in the park decided not to stay since there was no indication as to when services would return. We made the choice to stay and endure whatever it was that we would be exposed to. There were services available at Lake of Two Rivers which was just down the road. We made the best of the situation because we knew that we didn't want to turn around and go home. After we were all set up and ready to go we made the trek to our neighbouring camp ground to get everything we needed to get through at least the night and next morning when we would journey out again. That night we had discussed what the plans were going to be for the next day and we thought that since the weather was scheduled to be the best on that Saturday that we would do our parks exploration day and hit up a few trails. However since we were still without service we decided to head to the east end of the park and went into Whitney for Breakfast (another hang out of ours) and get some more supplies before heading back to hit the trails. After breakfast we started with easiest trail, Logging Museum Trails. It was beautifully quiet and serene and a great way to start our trip. We journeyed on to our next trail, Lookout Trail. We began the trek up into the trail and Marc was starting to exhibit signs of a panic attack. He was super concerned that he wouldn't make it up the hill. He was also convinced that the trail had been changed since the last time we were there and he wasn't prepared for this kind of exercise. I assured him that it was indeed the same as it was before and had to encourage him up to the top. Although we had to make several stops along the way, and a slightly twisted ankle we did finally make it to the top. With a stunning view, amazing weather, and a perfect moment since we were the only ones there at the time (very unusual) Marc started his speech. At this point I realized what was actually happening. All I could think of at that time is OMG it is finally here. It has been 10 great and adventurous years and it has finally come. Just after his speech Marc manage to hobble down to one knee on the cliff ledge (I had to hang onto him) and he popped the question. Although I had thought about playing a game and having him sweat, yes blurted out. We were both overjoyed but as soon as the proposal happened Marc needed an uppy uppy. He needed assistance in getting up from the rock he had just proposed from. If I didn't help him up at that time there was quite a possibility that I could have taken advantage of the life insurance policy that I had just taken out on him as he could have easily fallen off the edge we were that close to it ? We were able to enjoy the moment for a good 1/2 hour before anyone else showed up in the area. After THE moment and reflection time we could hardly wait to tell the world of our news. Knowing that there are normally certain protocols to follow in terms of who to tell first we were the first to both say we are not the norm and want to be different. So we decided to post it for the world to see followed by messages to direct family to check out our posts. Calls/posts of Congrats started flooding in. Next we headed to East Beach where we had planned to have a picnic lunch. We took in the beautiful scenery, letting the wind blow through out hair and even dipped our toes is the ice cold waters of Lake of Two Rivers. We managed to claim this area to ourselves for our lunch hour or so giving us much need time to reflect and reminisce over the past years. Right then and there our first thought (we both said it at the same time) for our wedding was no other than Algonquin Park for our wedding. Where else more perfect for us then the place we love the most. As soon as we said this, we decided to tour around and see if we could make it happen. We did absolutely love what was available to us and all that was left was to figure out logistics. We knew we wanted a fall wedding and at that point we wanted in Algonquin. As the weekend progressed we could wait to get into planning. Both Marc and I were like little school kids super happy and gitty that we were finally able to get to a point in our lives together where we have achieved a point of being debt free and were able to get affairs in order/complete to be able to move onto our next stage in life. It was a big life accomplishment we were basking in the glory of for that moment in time. After lunch we hit up Hemlock Bluff trail which was also a beautiful trail. We took in as much of the scenery and experience as we could. It is also the home of Jake Lake and from what I am told was the secondary spot of where the proposal could have happened. We spent probably another hour sitting on a big rock at the water's edge just talking more about life and how we got to where we were. What a day!! After our last trail we headed back to our camp ground via a pit stop at the Visitors Centre at Sunday Creek. And much to our surprise all services had been restored and we were able to have a more comfortable end to our trip. We spent the last two days on cloud twelve. When Marc and I ventured out into town on the Sunday we couldn't stop thinking about what we could incorporate into our upcoming nuptials and how we could incorporate some of the surrounding of the area. We visited Erika's Bakery & the Trading Post in Dwight, Robinsons General Store in Dorset, and toured the town in Huntsville. After our day trip we headed back to camp for our romantic meal that included scrumptious steak and of course wine. We also had our last campfire of the weekend where we enjoyed the like of not only toasted marshmallows but a yummy concoction of Hot Chocolate and Crown Royal. If you haven't tried that combo, you need to. YUM! The next morning was not the best weather wise but we managed to get everything down. With a bit of let-down happening, like at the end of any trip, we were all packed up and ready to journey home. We made one final meals stop on our journey home in Hillside at Muskoka on the Rocks. Of course upon arrival home we started instantly planning for the wedding. Within a few days and struggling with logistics/availability of having our wedding at our dream location, we started expanding our horizons a tiny bit. We took some time to think where we both enjoyed visiting a lot throughout our relationship and not too long after we came up with the idea of Niagara on the Lake. It is a beautiful place and it is a lot easier for everyone involved to get there. After several visits and phone calls made, Marc and I finally did decide on NOTL. With it deep engrained history, beauty, and meaning to us we thought it would be perfect place to say I DO. Our ceremony is scheduled for October, 2018 at Brocks Monument in Queenston Heights, followed by our reception at Navy Hall in Fort George. Although, like everyone, we have had our share of challenges and hiccups along the planning way such as not only having to move in the middle of planning but also having to contend with older home plumbing issues but alas we are super excited to finally be wed later this year and look forward to all future endeavours, challenges, and whatever comes our way together. Thank you so much for stopping by to read our story and giving us a vote ? |
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