I met my beautiful wife Karen in September 2002 at the fall fair in Port Alberni BC. We began dating two months later on November 11. Our relationship over the next five years was mainly long-distance, involving long hours on the phone, emails, and weekend trips.
We also went through some long and difficult times apart when Karen went on a foreign exchange to Japan for 10 months in 2003 and when I went for my 1st year at Peace River Bible Institute in Sexsmith Alberta in 2006. During those times we went through some great times, and some very tough and challenging times. God was shaping and molding both of us through these years. It was only Christ that kept us together; it was our goal to put Him at the very center of our relationship – as the focus. I think we failed to do this more often than not, but God is faithful. During my 1st semester at PRBI I felt God calling me to face my fears, take responsibility, and move forward in our relationship, or break it off. I bought an engagement ring the day before I flew back home for Christmas, and on New Years Eve during a long walk on Wickininish Beach, I asked her to marry me. We were married 5 months later on June 2, 2007 on a beautiful beach on the west coast of Vancouver Island. After the reception in Port Alberni and free starbucks drinks, we were off to Mexico for three weeks of beaches, sun, adventure, and lots of tortilla chips and salsa.
We moved to Sexsmith, Alberta in July 2007, where I am attending PRBI. Karen went to the school for a semester in early 2008, and now works as a teller for ScotiaBank. We just celebrated our 1st anniversary together. Marriage has definately had its challenges, and even a few “what have we gotten ourselves into” moments, but we are learning and growing and staying focused on Christ. My wife is outgoing and enjoys baking, knitting, reading, playing games, and having people over, but she is also very shy and tenderhearted. I am so blessed to be married to such a wonderful girl!
