Joshua and Rachel Tie the Knot
Donation protected
It's happening! We are getting married on Saturday March 10th, 2018. While we would love to share this momentous day with all our friends and family, our ceremony will be private, with only three witnesses.
Why no huge event? There are a few reasons, but the most important is that we are putting all our resources towards achieving our dream: to buy land and build our own house outside Kingston.
We are so close! We are on track to purchase our property in Summer 2018, with a house to follow next year. Joshua has been reading up, and taking building courses, while Rachel has been making strides in her teaching career. We are both so excited to see our hard work and sacrifices begin to pay off and our wedding will mark one more important step in our lives together.
We have set up this Go Fund Me so that those who wish to express congratulations, or to support us in our goal may do so, whether through a gift, or a personal message. We are deeply grateful to all who have helped us get this far, and to those upon whom we continue to rely as we set off down this new path. Anything you wish to share, be it an anecdote, a message of love, or a donation will be greatly appreciated, and will help us to move forward when the going gets tough.
Our (Love) Story
Rachel's Tale
When Rachel lived in Laos her teenage students were obsessed with romance, and often asked her when she would make her own "love story." Here unfolds the tale of how she met Joshua, and a new chapter of her life began!
No stranger to moving, Rachel found herself yet again on the road, heading back to Kingston and another year of university. Having taught for many years abroad, and in various areas of Ontario, it was time to upgrade her degree and examine her career possibilities. She moved into a grad student house with three strangers, and kept her eyes on her studies at Queen's. The passage of time had resulted in her adoption of a more mature work ethic, and decreased social calender, with far fewer instances of sleeping until noon, being kicked out of Pizza Pizza, and rousing 4am sing-a-longs on various porches. Her only focus was pulling in straight A's, and cramming her head full of knowledge. It was quite a sight to behold.
With no intention of staying in Kingston past her year of study, Rachel joined OK Cupid as a social experiment. This led her to create a completely guileless, honest and forthright online profile; she wrote about her dreams of returning to rural life, owning a small farm, and living ecologically and simply.
Within a day or so, Rachel was contacted by a 6'4" self proclaimed agrarian (whose profile picture showed him holding a two foot long zucchini) with the succinct message: "What sort of farm do you want to own?"
After a long phone chat and a first date that didn't stink, Rachel decided to give this guy a chance. Over a year of dating she began to think maybe she wouldn't leave Kingston right away, and after three years she has no regrets. Joshua's initial question has now become "What sort of farm do we want to own?"
Rachel was told many times that the man she sought just didn't exist; where could she meet a strapping, handsome, generous and kind farmer with environmentally friendly leanings, who loved to read, cook, and could recognize every Simpson's and Seinfeld reference? Rachel has found all this in Joshua, and much more. She has found the person with whom she can share a life of love and happiness, through thick and thin, in times of adversity and prosperity. Much to her own surprise, she found her husband.
Joshua's Side of the (Love) Story
The first half of Joshua's life was filled with hardwork, education, and not much romance. He enjoyed his time with family, at live concerts, and playing sports with friends, but felt largely unhappy professionally and personally. Where many friends and extended family members seemed to meet partners and establish romantic relationships easily, Joshua was shy and uncertain.
A dramatic change took place for Joshua in 2011. Having survived a serious car wreck in September of that year, he began to refocus his life. Finding a partner, playing a greater role in the community, and finding genuine and sustained happiness became top priorities. A focus on deepening relationships, erasing personal debt, and promoting community gardens and compassion for others became core beliefs for him.
A few years went by, and having achieved many of his goals, Joshua was still looking for someone to share a life with. Upon meeting Rachel, a great weight lifted from him. Learning to love and be loved by someone else has been a great journey for him, one for which he is exceptionally grateful and happy.
While life continues to present challenges and occasional hardships, Joshua now has someone to love, confide in, and to share the experiences with. He looks forward to many great joys in the upcoming wedding with Rachel.
Thank you for sharing in this special event with us in a somewhat unconventional way. We will hold you all in our hearts as we say "I Do", and will keep you updated as we begin the process of building our home.
Why no huge event? There are a few reasons, but the most important is that we are putting all our resources towards achieving our dream: to buy land and build our own house outside Kingston.
We are so close! We are on track to purchase our property in Summer 2018, with a house to follow next year. Joshua has been reading up, and taking building courses, while Rachel has been making strides in her teaching career. We are both so excited to see our hard work and sacrifices begin to pay off and our wedding will mark one more important step in our lives together.
We have set up this Go Fund Me so that those who wish to express congratulations, or to support us in our goal may do so, whether through a gift, or a personal message. We are deeply grateful to all who have helped us get this far, and to those upon whom we continue to rely as we set off down this new path. Anything you wish to share, be it an anecdote, a message of love, or a donation will be greatly appreciated, and will help us to move forward when the going gets tough.
Our (Love) Story
Rachel's Tale
When Rachel lived in Laos her teenage students were obsessed with romance, and often asked her when she would make her own "love story." Here unfolds the tale of how she met Joshua, and a new chapter of her life began!
No stranger to moving, Rachel found herself yet again on the road, heading back to Kingston and another year of university. Having taught for many years abroad, and in various areas of Ontario, it was time to upgrade her degree and examine her career possibilities. She moved into a grad student house with three strangers, and kept her eyes on her studies at Queen's. The passage of time had resulted in her adoption of a more mature work ethic, and decreased social calender, with far fewer instances of sleeping until noon, being kicked out of Pizza Pizza, and rousing 4am sing-a-longs on various porches. Her only focus was pulling in straight A's, and cramming her head full of knowledge. It was quite a sight to behold.
With no intention of staying in Kingston past her year of study, Rachel joined OK Cupid as a social experiment. This led her to create a completely guileless, honest and forthright online profile; she wrote about her dreams of returning to rural life, owning a small farm, and living ecologically and simply.
Within a day or so, Rachel was contacted by a 6'4" self proclaimed agrarian (whose profile picture showed him holding a two foot long zucchini) with the succinct message: "What sort of farm do you want to own?"
After a long phone chat and a first date that didn't stink, Rachel decided to give this guy a chance. Over a year of dating she began to think maybe she wouldn't leave Kingston right away, and after three years she has no regrets. Joshua's initial question has now become "What sort of farm do we want to own?"
Rachel was told many times that the man she sought just didn't exist; where could she meet a strapping, handsome, generous and kind farmer with environmentally friendly leanings, who loved to read, cook, and could recognize every Simpson's and Seinfeld reference? Rachel has found all this in Joshua, and much more. She has found the person with whom she can share a life of love and happiness, through thick and thin, in times of adversity and prosperity. Much to her own surprise, she found her husband.
Joshua's Side of the (Love) Story
The first half of Joshua's life was filled with hardwork, education, and not much romance. He enjoyed his time with family, at live concerts, and playing sports with friends, but felt largely unhappy professionally and personally. Where many friends and extended family members seemed to meet partners and establish romantic relationships easily, Joshua was shy and uncertain.
A dramatic change took place for Joshua in 2011. Having survived a serious car wreck in September of that year, he began to refocus his life. Finding a partner, playing a greater role in the community, and finding genuine and sustained happiness became top priorities. A focus on deepening relationships, erasing personal debt, and promoting community gardens and compassion for others became core beliefs for him.
A few years went by, and having achieved many of his goals, Joshua was still looking for someone to share a life with. Upon meeting Rachel, a great weight lifted from him. Learning to love and be loved by someone else has been a great journey for him, one for which he is exceptionally grateful and happy.
While life continues to present challenges and occasional hardships, Joshua now has someone to love, confide in, and to share the experiences with. He looks forward to many great joys in the upcoming wedding with Rachel.
Thank you for sharing in this special event with us in a somewhat unconventional way. We will hold you all in our hearts as we say "I Do", and will keep you updated as we begin the process of building our home.
Organizer
Wicks Tricks
Organizer
Kingston, ON
