During a time when the world was dealing with an unprecedented pandemic, so chaotic, with a future that was more than unpredictable, 2 people decided it was a good idea to try to find love off a dating app. Luckily, it paid off in the end.

After a couple weeks of conversing online, a date was set to meet in person. And on a Saturday night in August, Sammi showed up to the spot off Spring Garden Rd, Halifax. She sent a message "Hey! I'm just waiting in my car on South Street, let me know when you're close". Only to have Jacob respond with "Oh no! I thought we planned for tomorrow!?" Panicking now, she quickly checked over the messages, and sure enough, the date was for the Sunday... "Oh F*ck! I'm so sorry, I guess I was just excited... my bad." She started up her car for the embarrassing drive back home, but then Jacob messaged again "Haha! Wait right there, give me 20 mins and I'll come meet you." Like a lot of first dates, theirs was far from perfect - but they made the most out of the awkward/funny situation and can now laugh at how perfectly-imperfect it was now. The restaurant they planned for was closed, so they grabbed Thai-food take-out instead. They went to sit at a picnic table in Victoria Park, where they spent the next couple hours talking and getting to know each other, enjoying the conversation and losing track of time, not realizing how dark it was getting until the rats started running around by them. He walked her to her car, waving goodbye and waited a respectful 2 days to message her again for the next date. In Jacob's words "Oh my god she is as pretty as she is funny." Bumble works out sometimes.

Taking things slow over the next few months, they became best friends. Hung out a few times a week, which was easy when they realized they only lived down the street from one another. Without any red flags in sight, one random night in January, Sammi asked the all important question. "So.. you're my boyfriend, right?" Which Jacob responded, "Well, duh!" They were official, and now that 2020 was - behind them, the future seemed bright. Nothing could get in the way... or could it? After celebrating each other's birthdays and meeting the families in April, Jacob got news from his work about a big opportunity that would change everything. They have asked him to move over seas, to start up a team in the Netherlands. This news was shocking is an understatement, both of them were unsure of how to address it. They were doing so well and long distance is challenging on a normal day, but over seas with 5 hours between them; It wasn't going to be easy. But this was the opportunity of a lifetime for Jacob, and Sammi wasn't about to let him say no to this. "It's only 6 months, we can make it an adventure. I can come visit, you can come back for the holidays. It will all work out." So, in October of 2021, after just over a year of dating, Jacob packed up his apartment, moved everything he couldn't bring to Sammi's, and left for Europe on a one way ticket.

Knowing that communication was key to success, they made sure to facetime at least once a day. No matter if it was for 5 minutes or 5 hours, whether there was a lot going on or just watching a movie together. They prioritized the relationship, planning the trips over to each other, sending care packages, and counting down the minutes until life was back to normal. But in February of '22, Jacob was again pulled into a work meeting and praised for doing such a great job in this new role. "Would you consider staying?" Not without Sammi. They discussed, because not only was he asking her to move abroad, a big question on its own. But also to formally move in with him, to leave her career behind, say goodbye to friends and family. But it didn't take more than 10 minutes for her to decide. Of course she said yes. Life is to short to not take on the paths that you're offered. To take this leap, and to try something new. So in April '22, Jacob came home to help her pack and move all their belongings into storage. She had her last day at work, said goodbye to all her friends and family. Packed up 5 suitcases and a cat (Blue) on May 1st, and moved to the Netherlands.

Living abroad in Europe is considered a daydream, it truly felt like that. The culture, the architecture, the regular way of life were all so beautiful and so different from what they grew up knowing. Having to relearn the basics: the language, where to find groceries, a dentist, applying for jobs. All challenges that were overcome and for 2 years, Utrecht was their home and life had calmed down. They both eventually found new jobs, adopted another cat (Feta), and visited home regularly and to many other beautiful countries. It wasn't until December of '23 that things were about to change all over again. Where Jacob kept in touch with old colleagues, one had reached out with a new work opportunity for him, one that would yet again bring them to another new country. And after 2 months and 10 tedious interviews, he got the job in London, England. Over the moon to set out on this new adventure, they were to move in April. But not before Jacob pulled off the best birthday surprise for Sammi.

During the August before, while they were home in Nova Scotia for a visit. Jacob had a conversation with his mom where he told her that "Things are going great... I'm going to ask her to marry me." The proposal was something that took a year to work out the details for, telling the rest of his family and her parents, buying her that dream ring and figuring out when was the right time to ask. Now that he knew that they were moving in April, her birthday was the perfect situation. So, on March 20th, he made a reservation for dinner and she went out to grab a new birthday outfit; Including a pair of new heels that were probably not the best idea. They walked over to the restaurant, while she tried not to trip on the cobblestones but the blisters on her feet were already there before drinks were served. They did their best to enjoy the meal, but little did Sammi know, Jacob was feeling overly anxious about the box in his pocket and what he had planned for their walk home. He had wanted to take the long way back, to walk down the canals and enjoy the empty streets. It was the perfect opportunity to set up a camera and take what she would think was a birthday photo. But when it came time to leave, all Sammi wanted to do was to get home and take those damn heels off. Insisting that they at least walk down all their favorite streets along the way, they stopped for a picture on Jeruzalemstraat, right around the corner from their flat. He set up the phone, putting it on for video recording instead, because this moment needed to be relived as many times as possible. This video can be seen below.

They have now moved to London with their 2 cats as fiancé's and are so excited to be planning this wedding after 4 crazy magical years together. This story is far from over, there are sure to be more curveballs in the future, but they know they can handle anything that comes their way.