Strange how a phone call can change your day

Taylor and Paul met in the most 2018 way possible: Tinder. Taylor had recently emerged from a bad breakup and entered what they affectionately call her “Bachelorette Phase” which for her, was a time of saying yes openly, keeping things light, and definitely not looking for anything serious. It wasn't too long into her swiping spree that she met Paul. Newly back in Newfoundland after finishing school in Toronto, Paul was scrolling the apps to see what he’d missed while away from home. He swears he was carefully vetting profiles and not just "idly swiping while on the toilet," but either way, he saw Taylor’s bio ("Drinks Tetley tea by the case") and made his move. "I’m more of a Red Rose guy myself”, he messaged, and from there, they headed to Starbucks for their first date.

It didn't take long for Taylor to realize she was in over her head. She was falling fast for the gentle giant with the sweetly crooked smile, mesmerized by the way he talked so passionately about his dreams and the radio industry. Paul was immediately struck by Taylor in her yellow jacket and her calm, confident energy. They talked until the sun went down, and as Paul nervously walked Taylor to her car, he was actually about to turn away until she intervened: “Are you gonna kiss me?” He did, and a whirlwind romance followed. Paul was at Taylor’s apartment so often he basically lived there, and when they weren't together, they were glued to their phones (though looking back at those early Snapchats while building the wedding website was a truly humbling, cringe-inducing experience for us both).

A trip to Disney cemented things, and after a year together, they decided to get an apartment. Right before the move, Taylor "lost her mind" (as Paul likes to recount) and they adopted their first cat: a tiny calico kitten named Lady Josephine Jolene von Catto… ahem, Josie. When the pandemic hit shortly after, the world slowed down, but they grew closer. They found comfort in the quiet moments and figured out exactly what kind of partnership they wanted to build, which led to them taking the plunge into homeownership in 2020. Shortly after, naturally, Josie "needed a friend" (according to Taylor), and thus Violet the Ragdoll was welcomed into the family.

Skipping forward to 2024, Paul bought a ring. Then he told the sample girl at Hickory Farms in the mall. Then he called his mom. He immediately started planning an elaborate pre-Christmas proposal, but Canada Post went on strike and his custom Australian-made ring got stuck in mail limbo. Change of plans: Paul got the call on New Year’s Eve to pick up the ring and it started burning a hole in his pocket after approximately 3 hours. The anticipation starting to wear him down and he couldn’t wait a second more. Taylor likes recounting this part because Paul’s chaotic, joyful way of looking at life is one of her favorite things about him. After getting the blessing from Taylor’s mom and sister, Paul recruited his best friend, Paddy, to capture the moment at Bannerman Park.

What Paul didn't tell Paddy was that the chosen picnic spot was right next to the playground. Undeterred, Paddy spent the afternoon awkwardly hiding in the bushes dressed incognito with his phone camera out, waiting for the big moment. What Paddy also didn't know was that while he was staking out the shrubbery, Taylor was at home stubbornly telling Paul she didn't want to go for a walk because she had laundry to finish. The rest of the details will be theirs to hold, but Paul eventually managed to get Taylor out of the house, Paddy emerged from the park in one piece with the perfect photos, and Taylor said, “Of course.”

It’s hard to write a love story that spans almost eight years. Sometimes words fail to describe how complete a life becomes by the addition of one special person. Love may transcend language and art, but even when it can’t be explained, it can be felt. Taylor and Paul hope to see everyone at the wedding to witness their love, and to celebrate the fact that, in the end, the Red Rose guy officially won over the Bachelorette.