We thought it might be fun for people to read about how it all came about, so...here are the details on the proposal.

Marco had known for a long time that Jayleen was the woman that was hand-crafted specifically with him in mind.  Her easy-going nature, her eyes that anyone can get lost in and especially her gorgeous smile that seems to make problems just melt away.  He wanted to make her feel extra special as she makes him feel every day.  He started by obtaining the very ring that she fell in love with and hanging onto it for until the perfect moment to present it to her.  As he tried to think of different scenarios in which he would propose to her, he thought perhaps the most memorable setting would be in her hometown of Winnipeg, a city where she lived for most of her life and had so many memories in.

Planning what would be the biggest day of his life at the time in a city he'd never visited posed a bit of a challenge, but none too great for our determined planner.  He proceeded to search for possible venues and romantic activities for the two of them to enjoy in order to set the mood for the perfect proposal. While planning his first visit to Winnipeg during the summer of 2010, Marco asked Jayleen to reserve one day for the two of them alone, away from everyone and everything.  He told her that he would plan an entire day for the two of them which Jayleen immediately accepted being that they hadn't had much time to spend alone together. Marco started his planning, keeping a secret from pretty much everyone except Olivia, Jayleen's niece, who was spending time with them in Ottawa as she often does during the summer. Olivia promised that she would keep his secret safe and even offered her help where needed.

So on August 19, 2010, Marco and Jayleen began their day with breakfast at Gma's house in Selkiri (where Jayleen and Marco were staying), with Gma, Jayleen's sister Stefanie and her children Oliva, Tyler and Ryan.

Immediately following breakfast, Marco and Jayleen left Selkirk on the Beaver bus heading towards Winnipeg for the day that Marco had planned for them.  Marco had told Jayleen to pack a small bag with clothes and items she'd require for any type excursion.  He told her that perhaps she should pack matches incase they'd have to build a camp fire where they were going ...(yes, he was trying to be sly).  Marco spent the 45 minute bus ride into Winnipeg trying to conceal his excitment while trying not to miss the bus stop that they had to descend at in a city he'd never been in! To help him keep his mind off of what he was about to ask Jayleen, he decided that they should play a game together.  He thought it would be fun for each to ask the other any question they can think of.  So every 30 minutes, it was question time, giving Marco the perfect segue when the time came.

Finally they arrived at the stop and descended.  Marco lead Jayleen towards Red River.  Coincidently, the Red River is the birthplace of Red River cereal, which Jayleen so vividly remembers sharing with her grandpa Roger when she was young.  He would prepare the hot cereal and then they would put two tablespoons of brown sugar (or turtles as he called them) in the cereal.  The Red River has also been recently credited with having being the longest outdoor skating rink in the world, beating out Ottawa's Rideau Canal (yes, she made sure I knew this).  As they approached their second destination, Marco realized that something was terribly wrong.  Apparently the water taxi that Marco had planned for the couple to take wasn't running because of high water levels.  Marco sheepishly turned to Jayleen to let her in on that part of his plan to which she laughed and assured him that it happens from time to time.  So on they walked to their next destination.

Marco remembered Jayleen often mentioned a place called the Forks in Winnipeg which she really liked and thought I would like as well.  She was definitely right about this place.  It reminded Marco of the Old Port in Old Montreal, where Marco visited often when he lived there.  The Forks is a trendy place along the Red Rivier, in the heart of Winnipeg's downtown core.  Marco then revealed that he there was a room waiting for them at the Inn at the Forks where they could leave their belongings and go visit the shops.  Marco had yet another surprise in his sleeve.  He had booked a couple's massage for the two of them.  As the appointment time approached, Marco revealed what the next planned activity was.  They then both prepared for their massages at the Riverstone Spa just inside the Inn at the Forks.  

The couple thoroughly enjoyed their massages and went back to their room to prepare for dinner.  As they found their way to the room, it was time again for questions.  Marco allowed Jayleen to ask her question first while he found a way to extract the ring box from the bag where it was stored.  After Marco answered Jayleen's question, he asked Jayleen to close her eyes.  Jayleen nervously closed her eyes and when she opened her eyes, Marco was on one knee and asking her his last question of the day..."Jayleen - Will you marry me?"....well atleast that's how he had practiced it in his head but it didn't quite come out that easily.

Needless to say, Jayleen accepted and so they were engaged on August 19, 2010 at the Forks in Winnipeg, Manitoba.