Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu

While on a trip to visit her friend, Hannah, for her birthday whom she met while living in Belgium, Olivia found herself at a nightclub in Kingston, Ontario the same night that Dakota was in that very same spot celebrating his friend, Brandon's, birthday as well. It was completely coincidental, and because Dakota's hometown Perth is small, they both ended up at the same house party after their initial encounter. Olivia felt completely out of her element when Dakota decided to join her on the couch to talk... and the rest is history!

After spending the day exploring some of the sites of downtown St. Louis, Dakota and Olivia sat on a bench beside the Gateway Arch watching the sun begin to set. Dakota asked after a few moments if she was ready to go and they began to walk back. On the walking path overlooking the Mississippi River, the bridge, and the Arch with not another soul around, they stopped to admire the beauty of the setting sun painted across the sky. Olivia turned toward the river and expressed what a wonderful day it had been. Dakota said softly, "Olivia, you're everything to me." She turned to see him kneeling in front of her. Olivia, of course, burst into tears. The moment was too perfect to pass up, which is why the ring was in the car when it happened! After dusk, Dakota and Olivia went on a walk along the river to find the ideal place for him to give her the ring. They stopped at an aged, iron overlook along the Mississippi. After sharing many kisses and Dakota chirping Olivia for not actually saying yes, he shared yet another surprise with her. Not only had he gotten a ring with rose gold maple leaf accents, but he gave her a maple leaf necklace as well, symbolizing the journey they've taken together and Olivia's choice to join him in Canada. It symbolized the leap of faith they took together and the strength and resilience of their relationship. It was more perfect than could be imagined.