About the couple

Bride: Veronica Kokavec

Groom: Derek Bryksa

How they met: “Derek and I met when we were both security guards for a car company. Since Derek was more experienced he was asked to “train” me on the midnight shift,” explains Veronica. “That night was a scheduled evacuation drill and we went up to the roof to oversee the events, but what we really did was a lot of flirting. There was definitely an instant attraction between us despite the physically unflattering uniforms that seem to cause “uni-butt”—a term I only learned of later in our relationship! After our shift was over we stopped for coffee and spent the rest of the morning talking by the riverfront. While this may not be the most romantic way to meet, it truly exemplifies the humour and light-hearted spirit of our relationship.”

Engagement story: “Derek and I had been talking about getting engaged for a while—all I wanted was to be surprised,” Veronica recalls. “Because of his long working hours he asked me to check on the house when he was unavailable. So one cold January night, with my best friend in tow, I did as he asked. The house was dark and quiet. We were already on-edge when we noticed a light flickering in the bathroom. I assumed it was a motion-sensor, but my (paranoid) friend decided she needed to double-check. When she returned her face was pale as she exclaimed, “I think there’s a dark figure in the bathroom!!” As I made my way to the bathroom Derek stepped out of the doorway with a look I had never seen before. Shaking, he got down on one knee in his all-black tuxedo and asked me to be his wife, all while my friend was panicking in the background chanting, “Oh my God, Oh my God!” He managed to catch me in utter shock and surprise and it was perfect. 618 days later we were married and in my friend’s Maid of Honour toast, she mentioned how for a brief second, she planned an escape route in case the dark figure lurking had different intentions.”