How We Met

Whenever we introduce ourselves as a couple, we're always asked how we met. People hear Will's distinct southern drawl or find out that Jaime's from Canada, and are curious to discover how our paths crossed; seeing as how our homes are well across the continent from each other, no natural assumption comes to mind regarding our beginnings as a couple. So in case you don't know our story, read on...

The story begins with two friendships, the first between two young boys, growing up as neighbours in the Deep South. Will Fenwick and Michael Stewart were just in grade school when their friendship formed, and as they grew up their friendship solidified. Everything from common interests like baseball and football, to passionate debates surrounding Scripture and Faith were shared; they tied for high school valedictorian and even both caught the same fish on the same cast (a dramatic tale best heard when told by both). Both went to Mississippi State University in Starkville after graduating from Terry High School in 2000, and often escaped to the local wildlife refuge to hunt during the fall. It was during this time that Michael began dating Elizabeth Shehane who was to become a mutual friend of theirs. 

Elizabeth Shehane had started dating Michael Stewart while at home in Mississippi on a break from school in New York City. Liz was studying music performance and had initially caught Michael's eye while she was singing during a Sunday service at Emmanuel, the church they both attended in Starkville. Her love of music and passion for life sparked not only Michael's interest, but was part of the common bond shared by Liz and a friend of hers she'd met in Russia.

In 1999, Liz Shehane from Mississippi and Jaime Lauren from British Columbia both landed separately in Moscow, Russia for a short-term missions trip with the Kindness Foundation. Expressive, creative, and outgoing, the two became fast friends and bonded over their shared passion for music, life, and adventure in general. Despite the brevity of the trip, both knew they'd forged a lasting friendship, and one year later, Jaime found her way to Liz's hometown of Starkville.

Upon her first night in Liz's family's home, Jaime lay awake in bed listening to the crickets harmonize outside and sensed that there was something truly special about Mississippi and knew she'd found a 'second home' of sorts. No it didn't have the California climate she loved, or the West Coast geography she was used to, but there was something that pulled her back time and time again over the next few years. Mississippi was like a rich southern cocktail composed of syrupy jazz and sweet tea, antebellum homes and downhome hospitality which Jaime drank up every time.

One of Jaime's visits was after she'd graduated from Emily Carr and had begun her own photography business. She came to photograph the wedding of Liz's younger brother David to her good friend Joy. Liz and Michael had married a few years prior and Jaime had attended that wedding as well. It was there that she and Will Fenwick, one of Michael's groomsmen, crossed paths, but not until David & Joy's wedding did a spark ignite.

Will had come over to Starkville for David & Joy's wedding from Atlanta where he was in the middle of doing his PhD in Electrical Engineering. The bride & groom had asked him to play the bagpipes and so he arrived at the wedding in full Scottish regalia to pipe for them. The dramatic ensemble looked like a perfect photo op for Jaime, so we went outside to get a few shots. Something about Will's steady demeanor and bold confidence unnerved Jaime, and so she finished shooting as quickly as possible. 'Amazing Grace' couldn't have ended faster in her mind. Will, on the other hand, was intrigued by Jaime's independence and adventurous spirit. We shared several short interactions over the next couple of days and after Will left for Georgia, Jaime couldn't shake the nagging thought that there was something special about Will.

Not too long after, Will contacted Jaime to ask about putting together a photo book for some of his family members using the photos she took of him piping. Only too willing, Jaime got to work on the book and we fell into comfortable and almost daily correspondence. After a few months, we spoke on the phone and decided soon after to visit on Jaime's next trip to Mississippi (which, not coincidentally, was two months away). As the trip grew closer, we both gained confidence that our friendship seemed to be evolving into something more. Our shared spiritual beliefs, mutual lifestyle values, common interests and open communication were all essential in solidifying our relationship, which continued to rest on a foundation of peace. Aside from all this, there was a definite spark and attraction between us, which proved to be the icing on the cake. 

On November 9, 2007, we met up in Starkville and hours later had made it official that we were a couple. Neither of us had ever been in a relationship before as we'd been waiting for the right person to come along, but that day there was a definite unspoken knowledge between us that this was a relationship to hold on to. We spent a total of 10 days together throughout the month of November and parted ways after sharing squirrel hunting and football games, long walks and late nights on the porch swing. It would be almost 5 months before we would see each other again.

The following spring, Jaime flew down to Atlanta to visit Will and to spend some time in Mississippi with friends. Despite the time apart, we had grown close through email, phone calls and letter-writing. There was something about the distance that made every exchange special and nothing taken for granted. It was not too long after that trip that Will told Jaime he loved her and of course she responded in kind. With those feelings out on the table, we began to discuss our possible future together, and shortly after, decided that marriage was the next step. After, of course, Will met Jaime's parents.

In June, Will flew to British Columbia to meet Jaime's family and to finally see the place she called home. We had discussed ring sizes and styles, and Jaime figured that Will would be proposing on this trip, but didn't want to get her hopes up. As Will's visit drew to a close, Jaime grew nervous wondering why he hadn't popped the question yet, but little did she know that the ring Will had designed hadn't arrived yet. It hadn't been ready when Will flew to Canada, so it had to be shipped up. Meanwhile, Will was waiting to talk to her parents--waiting until there was a ring this side of the border. On Sunday, June 6, after the morning Jaime took her first tandem skydive jump, Will talked to her parents and asked to marry her. That night after a couple dozen family and friends came by to meet Will and visit with everyone, we walked down to the beach on Okanagan Lake where Will knelt in the sand and asked Jaime to be his wife. Obviously the answer was yes, and here we are, 3 1/2 months before the wedding which will have been almost one year since Will's proposal, and two years since we began a friendship. 

It's been a story that neither of us could have orchestrated ourselves, and both of us, along with our families and close friends, truly believe that our relationship is God's will for our lives. We are so excited about what He has in store for us!