Shanna & Mark | Banff winter engagement

Shanna and Mark are getting married in May and wanted a winter engagement session. Even though it was a bit windy and chilly we all agree that it was worth for the magical snowy landscapes. We started at Two Jack Lake and finished with cup of coffee and hot chocolate at Evelyn’s in Banff.
And because we love reading and Mark loves writing, we let him to told their love story in his own words.

How did you and Shanna meet?

Shanna and I spoke for the very first time in May 2017. My friend from the church had given me her phone number. All I knew was that her name was Shanna, she has “a bubbly personality,” and she has curly hair. Other than that, we were going in completely blind. After our first phone call I knew I had met someone special; Shanna was bright and playful, sincere and sweet. We learned we had many, many things in common and decided to get together for coffee. Little did I know my whole world was going to change that sunny Sunday afternoon when Shanna bounced her way into that Phil & Sebastian’s… We talked and walked and laughed and learned that afternoon.
At first, neither of us knew if we could see ourselves entering into relationship with one another, but we both knew we had just met a fantastic friend.

It was on our third date when everything changed.

Shanna had made us Indian for supper and I had made a chocolate cake for dessert. After our dinner we went for a walk out around Bridgeland and eventually found our way to Rotary Park and settled ourselves on my favorite bench in the city, the one overlooking center street bridge and all of downtown.
Shanna and I had decided that it would be wise to let our friendship develop. However, dusk had begun to settle in over the city and Shanna felt the chill in the air beginning to sink in. She turned to me and said “I know we decided to take things slow, but would you hold me? I’m getting really cold!”

All my life I had been longing to hear those words…

I held her tight against me offering what warmth I could, my heart bursting with joy! Ever since that day we have been firmly joined at the hip wherever we may go. We love to sit and hold each other tight, we love to hold hands everywhere we go, even if it’s only for 2 seconds between the car and the door.

Our friendship grew in depth and breadth and we both knew we had found something special. It was 29 days later, that I asked her to marry me. I hadn’t bought a ring. I hadn’t thought what her answer may be. All I knew was that this was the woman I had been searching for and preparing for my entire life.

She looked deep into my eyes and told me that she would; that yes, one day she would marry me.

Shanna made me the happiest man on the planet that day.

What is your favorite thing to do?

We love to cook and clean and bake and walk and drink coffee and go to church and visit family and friends together. Being in the garden and going for walks through the parks around the city and out in the mountains. We love sitting and sipping great coffee together or going out for dinner.

 Shanna loves to read and I love to write. I enjoy writing her letters and messages, spoiling and surprising her whenever I can, planning big elaborate surprises(like our real proposal in September) and small surprises (like showing up at her office for her lunch break).

I love to love Shanna. And boy do I love to be loved by Shanna…
She loves me because she loves me because she loves me. I know that deep down in my bones.

What do you anticipate being the most meaningful part of your wedding day?

I believe the most meaningful moment we will share on our wedding day is when we are at the altar. When I get to see her walking down the aisle towards me and the soul sundering joy that will overtake me. When we get to stand before our dearest friends and family and profess our love for one another.