Erika and Craig’s Winter Engagement

A chilly day at Scout Valley for Erika and Craig’s couples session ahead of their wedding.

Their wedding isn’t until later in June at Trillium Resort, but first things first… their engagement photos! I met up with Erika and Craig at one of my favourite local locations, Scout Valley. It’s a series of trails with different areas that are great for photos at different times of the year - especially winter.

I’m looking forward to being a third wheel again, this time on their wedding day. Let’s hear their story in their own words…

HOW DID THEY MEET:

We met online, but it took a couple months for us to actually meet up! It was worth the wait!

WHAT DO THEY REMEMBER ABOUT THEIR FIRST DATE:

Erika: Our first date was on the night of the famous Jose Bautista bat flip. We were both watching the game at home and we were waiting for the game to end before meeting up. It went late but after the game we decided to still meet up and go mini putting and we went for beers after. We talked about music we liked, hockey and our families... we hit it off right away! He noticed that I once had an eyebrow piercing, and I thought he must have a great attention to detail!

Craig: I remember the first time I saw Erika come out of the car and I thought she was super cute. And then when we were paying for mini putting I thought... she is super cute. We went to Boston Pizza for beers. I knew she was interested in me because at the end of the night she hugged me and then asked for a second hug because she didn't like where her arms were in the first hug.

WHEN THEY KNEW:

Erika: When Craig bought a house, which I picked out for him, I slowly invited myself to move in. At that point I could see ourselves together forever. And that's when I knew. I didn't know it would take another 5.5 years to get to where we are now!

Craig: One of the moments that I knew very early on was when she told me she drove standard. She owned a standard car. This could work...

THE PROPOSAL, HOW DID IT GO DOWN:

We were up in Huntsville at a Hipcamp with our little trailer. We went for a morning walk, made our coffees and headed out to the dock. Craig left to get his work phone, and I thought "really??" When he came back I was taking photos of the lake with our dog Huck. Craig took the camera to take photos of us "looking at the lake" and he said "how about this one?" and when I turned to look, he was on one knee! Of course, I said yes. It was such a surprise and perfect moment!

ONE THING THEY LOVE ABOUT ONE ANOTHER:

Erika: It's hard to just pick one thing! I love that he is an optimistic person. He's a "you don't know unless you try" kind of person. He's generally positive and uplifting (unless a car or computer repair is not going in his favour). I love that when he smiles, his whole face smiles. It's something I noticed on our first date. He's always there to listen, even if he doesn't remember.

Craig: One of the traits I love about her is her ability to think about others and how the impact of her actions can make someone else's day. Like when she donates to a charity like Christmas Cheer, she thinks about how that will help someone have a gift to open on Christmas morning.

BESIDES GETTING MARRIED, WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ON THEIR WEDDING DAY:

Erika: I am looking forward to eating, drinking, dancing and celebrating with all of our friends and family!

Craig: I can't wait to look up and see her at the end of the aisle.

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