We met at work when Ahmed was a co-op student, and Valerie had just started her first permanent marketing position in Ottawa after returning from Vietnam. There wasn’t some dramatic moment or slow-burning arc. It was instant. Just that quiet, very obvious “oh… this person is kind of amazing” feeling that never really went away.

What started as quiet admiration turned into a partnership built on ambition, kindness, and a sense of home we hadn’t felt before. We’re the kind of couple who push each other to go after the big goals, who celebrate every win (even the tiny ones), and who are absolutely guilty of showing up a little too hard for the people we love.

We survived the weirdest years of our generation, including a pandemic that tested everything for everyone. Instead of pulling us apart, it made us stronger, more grounded, and more certain that we were choosing each other for the long haul. Now here we are, planning a day that reflects the love we built and the life we’re excited to keep growing.

Maple and Fraise showed up in our lives overnight (literally, June 13 to June 14, 2018), and everything shifted. These two little chaos agents have been the center of our world ever since, meowing for food, running the house, and keeping us on our toes in the best ways. There’s no Fraise without Maple, and honestly, no “us” without them. As we celebrate our wedding, we’re also celebrating the day they walked in and changed our lives for good.

Then came Coco Chanel, our official Covid Cat, who joined us in June 2020 and quietly rearranged our whole world. She’s the sweet little soul we’ve taken on road trips, the gentle presence who somehow balances out Maple and Fraise’s chaos, and the shy younger sister who carved out her own spot in our hearts without ever raising her voice. She didn’t just join the family, she completed it.

We’re incredibly grateful for the people who’ve been in our corner through every chapter. Your love, support, and happy memories have shaped our lives in ways we don’t take for granted. We can’t wait to celebrate with each of you and share a day that feels like us.