Once upon a time, on a dark and stormy night... Ha-ha :-) just kidding! Pull up a comfy chair and a cozy cup of , and let us share a really wonderful story with you! ...at least the short version...
Nathan Philip was born and raised in the far-off kingdom of Aldergrove. He terrorized Shortreed and Aldergrove Elementary schools and they were glad to send him off to Langley Secondary School, where he studied (OK, that's a bit of a stretch) sciences, music and computing. About this time, his family conquered some land in Bradner and moved there to raise squash. Once Langley Secondary School had had enough of him, he went to Trinity Western University, where he studied under some of Langley's foremost academics, and managed to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computing Science. While finishing his degree, the kind owner of a software company in Abbotsford thought he saw potential in Nathan and hired him to write code. He is still working at that same software company. When Nathan is not at work, he enjoys cycling, playing Ultimate, hiking and collecting electronic gadgets.
Meanwhile in the farther-off kingdom of Chilliwack (known as "the Wack" to some, or "the Sticks" to others) an energetic, yet "elegant and gracious" (according to her Mother), girl was born. She was named Charlene Rene but more often than not, fondly called "Charlie" by her doting parents. She ran wild on the 40 acre farm exploring all the forests of long grass and crevices of the farm's barns, richly enjoying the warm sun and cool breezes on her face and through her hair. When she was not outside she enjoyed "playing" the piano. After enough random noise had been made Charlene's Mother began to teach her the proper way to play the piano, how to read music, and began to cultivate a love for music. Charlene enjoyed playing with her sisters and was soon "allowed" to attend the local Elementary school. Not long after, the girls gained a new brother (a new species called "boy"), who added an interesting dynamic to their adventures. As the children grew, a pony named Penny was added to the farm's livestock of pigs, chickens, cats, dogs and fish. Whenever Charlene was not gleaning knowledge from her teachers, reading books, or practicing piano she would be galloping through the green fields in the middle of her own fairy tale stories. She survived Rosedale Middle School where she began to learn flute. Life then took her to Chilliwack Senior and then to the even farther off kingdom of Hope to volunteer at Camp Kawkawa in the summers. Her teachers wished her well as she graduated from her studies and ventured on to study at the local University-College planning to complete a Bachelor of Science and become a math and science teacher. God intervened and after a year, with the blessing of her parents she traveled in the other direction of far off kingdoms, to Langley, to study music and math from learned minds at Trinity Western University. At the end of her first year at TWU, she received an email through her music professors. It was from a small church in Aldergrove who were looking for an extra pianist to help with services and potentially a small choir. Charlene was presently nannying her three small cousins and then would be taking a job in the mighty Kingdom of Coquitlam to help in a United Church. Thus she didn't worry when the Chair of the Music Committee didn't respond to her email:-) Little did she know that this small church was the very same one where a certain Trinity math professor attended. This professor had helped her sort out her math courses and listened to her jury rehearsals for her flute studies.
Then Nathan met Charlene. The End.
Just kidding again:-)
We are?
YES "WE" are:-)
One day, Nathan was minding his own business at church when he noticed the piano player his Dad had drafted to help. After the service, he went to his parents' house for dinner and it just so happened that the same piano player was there too! He introduced himself to this tall lovely young lady and found out that her name was Charlene and that she was very pleasant to talk with. This was an interesting development and merited investigation. Investigate he did, but his curiosity wasn't satisfied.
Well, yes but first she had innocently followed a mutual family friend to lunch, enjoying the sunny day and cool breeze blowing through her car's windows. This naturally prompted singing to whatever happened to be playing in the car's CD player (Paul Brandt's "Convoy") when she noticed a very black car following her with a driver who seemed to be watching her exuberant singing. (It's good that his eyes where on the road ahead of him.) As she made the last turn into the home where lunch was to be served she was not sure whether to be horrified or simply embarrassed as the driver pulled in behind. He proceeded to get out of his car and walk towards her. She noticed that he was tall, had dark hair and mysterious eyes. When he introduced himself as Nathan, she decided to be horrified when she learned he was the son of her professor. When she had committed to help in the church with music she had expected to serve, encourage, minister and possibly change lives. But she had not anticipated anything remotely, possible, no, bad ideaÉ
Nathan made a point of talking to Charlene whenever he had the opportunity and eventually he pulled together enough courage to ask her to dinner (June 4th 2006 to be exact). He was shocked when she actually responded affirmatively and they had a delightful evening. This turned into more delightful evenings, horse rides, picnics and other adventures. It wasn't long before Nathan realized that he was falling head over heels for the most wonderful, thoughtful and beautiful woman he had ever met.
After a wonderful summer she returned to school, though her thoughts were most definitely NOT always on her studies! They shared a Christmas together, falling more and more in love, and she returned to Trinity Western for her final semester.
Nathan knows a good thing when he sees it, so before Charlene could come to her senses, he asked her to marry him. This happened on February 28th 2007, little more than a year after they had met. (There were lots of roses, candles and snow involved! You'll have to ask Charlene for the longer version of that story.)
Finally fully comprehending what was actually happening as this handsome man was getting on his knee in front of her and pulling a ring from his pocket, Charlene realized she needed an important answer in the very near future! Looking deep into his earnest eyes she said "of course":-) Nathan was VERY relieved. Shortly after, they set a wedding date and are presently planning to live happily ever after!
THE END... of the beginning:-)
