It was 2017 and Caiti was ending a year of health challenges and looking to learn more about woodworking to engage in a hobby. Brandon was working for Bateman Furniture the company that Lee and Sandy had engaged to do their new kitchen.  Lee decided to ask if there was someone at Bateman Furniture that would be able to teach Caiti. Uncertain of who he was teaching, Brandon agreed and they started to meet on Wednesday nights at the shop to make cutting boards and other projects. Brandon was patient and nurturing in teaching Caiti at a pace that she could tolerate, while relearning to walk again without pain. Over the course of the year Brandon and Caiti worked together, built many different things from cutting boards to sliding barn doors, and at the same time built a connection. Brandon, falling for Caiti’s smile, asked Caiti to spend some time with him outside of the shop and shortly after they started dating. 

 

Only 3 short months later, Caiti had decided to pursue her Master’s in New Brunswick and this meant their relationship would be long distance. In true Brandon fashion, he said “you’re in or you’re out, and I am in” for long distance and for 3 years they navigated their relationship being 1,500 km apart and travelling to see each other. Caiti finally graduated and moved home, only for Covid to hit and to be long distance again, this time in the same city. Through it all, Caiti and Brandon have been in it for each other and made it official on September 29th when Brandon got down on one knee at Booth’s Rock Lookout in Algonquin Park asking Caiti to Marry Him! Caiti obviously said YES!