Free Wedding Photography Entry//Kristen & Mike

On Family Day 2009 I showed up for drinks in a bar for a buddy’s birthday party. I noticed a beautiful girl that was a friend of my buddy’s girlfriend sitting at the end of the table with an empty seat beside her. I quickly scooted past a few of my friends, perhaps even shoving them gently out of my way, and grabbed a seat next to her in hopes of sparking up a conversation. I walked into that bar a general skeptic on love and relationships and walked out three hours later, unknown at the time, having met my future wife.

Our relationship hasn’t always been what Kristen signed up for, as when she met me I had a steady job, a car, and all kinds of hypothetical “grown up and arrived” type qualities. However, two years into our relationship I made a career change based on a physical injury and a desire for a more fulfilling career. I returned to school to pursue a career in Child and Youth Care on the college level. I am now 3 months away from a university degree from Ryerson University in CYC after 5 long years of schooling. The decision to go back was one of the best decisions I ever made as I love what I have been studying as well as my two jobs as a educational assistant for the Hamilton school board and my position at various foster homes in the city.

The ability to change my career and path in life was inspired by, encouraged by, and made possible by the love and support of an amazing woman. Kris had every right to reject the idea of me going back to school, and then reject the idea of me jumping to university after my three year diploma program. However, not only did she approve, she encouraged me to chase my dreams and dealt with my horrific school-stress related freak outs over the last five years! She put many things on hold for me including our wedding as we have finally set a date for the summer of 2017 after being engaged since 2012.  

I’m writing and submitting this behind her back in hopes of surprising Kris with the amazing prize that is offered. Everything you are reading here I have expressed to Kris verbally for years, but I feel something this valuable would be an amazing way to truly express my appreciation. Kris has sacrificed an incredible amount in order for me to pursue my dreams and I would love to win this contest for her as a display of my gratitude for all she has done for me, and for us as a couple.

Thank you for your consideration, 

Mike (and Kristen).

Three quirky facts about us:

1) She calls me every day on her way home from work, and despite my hatred for talking on 

the phone I’ve never missed a phone call. 

2) I’m generally up later because of our schedules, so every night (that we’re both home) for 

the last 6 years, I have tucked her in. Even if we’re fresh off an argument, sick, tired, etc. 

we never miss a tuck in. It also makes it super satisfying for me the rare times I go to 

sleep first and get to demand a tuck in!

3) We leave small notes around the house for each other constantly. Select ones we’ve left 

stuck to doors or written on the chalkboard in our kitchen for months and sometimes 

years to which our friends mock us and claim to be appalled by our sickening love for 

one another.