Stories of Love & Friendship
I have a confession to make... I'm a hopeless romantic!
To celebrate Valentine's Day, I interviewed couples and best friends.
Here are their stories:
Normand & Thérèse
As told by Thérèse
How long have you been together?
"We have been together for 67 years, and will celebrate our 65th wedding anniversary this spring."
How did you meet?
"We met at a party at a common friend's home. At the time, we were both there on a date with other people. Afterwards, we would run into each other around town and enjoy chatting. One day, Normand asked me to go skiing with him on the hill in our village. We had a lovely time!"
How did you know your partner was the one for you?
"I knew my husband was the one for me from the beginning. I had no doubt in my mind! How did Normand know that I was the one for him? Because he felt completely at home right away with my family and I. Also, he said I was the most beautiful brunette he had ever seen in his life!"
What makes your relationship work?
"We have been laughing together everyday since the day we met! It's important to never forget to have fun and play with your partner. They are your family."
Alena & Julie
As told by Alena
How long have you been together?
"To date, we have been together for a little over 2 years. We have been married for just over a year."
How did you meet?
"We met at CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario). Julie had worked there for about 5 years and I was just starting to work there as a student. Julie trained me in June and it is safe to say I fell in love with her at first sight! We didn't date until December, I had some chasing to do! When you know what you want you have to go get it, right? :)"
How did you know your partner was the one for you?
"In the strangest of ways, I knew Julie was right for me the second I met her. Because we didn't date until later, I had the privilege of knowing her as a friend and ultimately, it was her humour and smile that got me. As soon as we went on a date, the rest was history. Julie knew I was the one after we were driving home together and we belted out a Taylor Swift song. She says she liked how open I was!"
What makes your relationship work?
"It is a good mix of trust, commitment and communication. We also try to meet each other half way, when we do not agree on the same thing. Forgiveness and always seeing the other's perspective is also very important to us! Last but not least is humour. We laugh till we cry at least once a day."
Josée & Mario
As told by Josée
How long have you been together?
"19 years! We feel so blessed to have met each other so young."
How did you meet?
"We met in the cafeteria at University. Mario was taking his French university class as part of a summer camp. I was a councillor for the French immersion camp for anglophone teenagers. We would see each other often during mealtime. One day, he asked me out but I declined since he was younger than me (I was 21 at the time, he was 18). I found him oh so handsome and charming! We stayed friends and 8 months later, when he turned 19, he convinced me to go out on a date with him. As they say, the rest is history!"
How did you know your partner was the one for you?
"I knew Mario was the one for me and the one I would marry, when forever and a lifetime did not seem long enough to spend with him. I still feel that way after 19 years. I love his sense of humour and his kindness. He knew I was the one for him because he felt how strong our bond was right away."
What makes your relationship work?
"I think what makes our relationship work is teamwork and laughter. You've got to have a sense of humour."
Lindsay & Liane
As told by Lindsay
How long have you been friends?
"We met 9 years ago."
How did you meet?
"I first met Liane on a Sens themed Boat Cruise Fundraiser. She was one of the lead organizers, manning the mic and introducing all the games like a boss. Right away, I knew I liked this girl. It was not long after this initial meeting that we started hanging out together. She became the other token girl while out with my husband and all his guy friends - my wing-man, err or wing-woman!"
How did you know you would become such great friends?
"I loved that she could hang with the guys and wasn’t a girly girl! Having grownup with an older brother, like I did, made us both tomboys. While all the girls are watching their men play sports, we are out on the field playing ... and winning! Liane knew we would become such good friends because we share a deep connection and love for brunch!"
What makes your friendship work?
"She has been there for me through the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. I love that we can tell each other anything and that we are so honest with each other, sometimes brutally so. It always comes from a place of complete love. We are always in each other's corner no matter what. She is my person. She is godmother to my first born son and I was the maid of honour at her wedding. I can honestly say we are no longer friends... we are family. She is my sister and I love her guts!"
Catherine & François
As told by Catherine and François
How long have you been together?
"15 years"
How did you meet?
"We met one evening at a bar in Montreal. As soon as I saw François, the world around me just stopped! It was truly love at first sight!" -Catherine
"It all happened an evening in March. I debated for a long time taking 1h30 bus and metro ride to meet up with a group of friends at a bar in old Montreal. Once I got there, there was a big line up at the door. I was just about to give up and head back home but something mysteriously pushed me to wait. When I finally was able to make my way in, I spotted my friends and Catherine...I knew at that moment that my life was about to change" -François
How did you know your partner was the one for you?
"I knew within a few moments that François was the one. I saw that he was full of wonder, like many adults no longer allow themselves to be. We were there, just the two of us, outside the bar, catching snowflakes with our tongues! At that moment, I decided that this is how I wanted my adult life to be and that he would be a great partner share it with. After 15 years together, I realize that I was right and that this big kid at heart was exactly who I needed." -Catherine
"Even before we spoke, I only had eyes for her and I could see myself with her for a very long time. That night, I gave her my phone number on the back of a McDonald's bill! A few days later, after going to the movies, we sat on some stairs and talked about ourselves. We couldn't take our eyes of of each other. That moment was so perfect, just like in romance movies. Our spark was so obvious! 15 years later, I still feel this way about her and I know that I will my whole life." -François
What makes your relationship work?
"Creativity and laughter have been some the keys to our happiness. Everyday we try to think of ways to rekindle our flame by finding 1001 projects to do as a couple. Being wild and crazy together keeps us and our love growing, while also helping us be strong even when life puts challenges in front of us. It's also great to be married to the funniest guy in the world" -Catherine says that last part was added by Francois!
Terri & Myriam
As told by Myriam and Terri
How long have you been friends?
"Almost 3 years, although it feels much longer." -Myriam
How did you meet?
"We met at a preschool program for our kids. On the day we met, we struck up a conversation and... we haven't stopped talking ever since!" -Myriam
How did you know you would become such great friends?
"From the beginning, we just clicked! Being a mom of young children can be challenging and isolating at times. In Terri, I found a friend I could confide in, laugh with, count on and most of all, be myself with. I knew that we would become such great friends because we have very similar values (and...we're both Geminis!). -Myriam
"I knew we would become such great friends because we couldn't stop talking...there was (and still is) something to talk or laugh about together. I believe that our friendship was meant to be, since we both have boys that were born just one day part, in the same hospital. I'm sure we crossed paths in that hospital, a year before we officially met."
-Terri
What makes your friendship work?
"I think that the fact that we are so alike in so many ways, but so different in others... We made a pact when we became friends to always be honest with each other. Most of all, we've been there for each other, supporting each other ever since we met. She is kind and generous. I'm very lucky to have her in my life." -Myriam
I hope you enjoyed reading these interviews. A big thank you to everyone that shared their stories and for allowing me glimpses into their relationship. It was such a pleasure to meet all of you!
If you have any questions, don't be shy to post them in the comments or to email me.
Have a great time telling your stories!
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