I was home in Ontario for a visit, just a quick trip back from British Columbia where I was living at the time. My brother had found me a car and fixed it up, and I needed to drive it back out west. What I didn’t expect was that this trip would change the course of my life.
While catching up with a friend, a guy with a five o’clock shadow (which I’ve always found attractive) walked into her house. He was cute. We shook hands, he said his name was Mark, and then he sat down with my friend’s boyfriend while I continued chatting with her.
Then he overheard me talking about how I needed someone to drive out west with me. Without missing a beat, he said, “I’ll come with you!”
I looked at him, raised an eyebrow, and said, “I’ll let you know, thanks.” I mean—who did this guy think he was? I had just met him! To quote Clueless, “As if!”
But here’s the twist: he did end up coming with me.
After that day, Mark reached out. We went on our first date a few days later, and from that moment on, we were inseparable. It felt like we had known each other forever. We both knew the drive could go really well—or really badly. Mark even kept his backpack within arm’s reach the whole time, “in case you kick me out of the car in the middle of nowhere,” he joked.
Spoiler alert: he was never kicked out. And four years later, we were married.
The Road Trip That Started It All
Our journey took us through the United States, and the scenery was nothing short of spectacular. On the first day, we drove straight to Wisconsin Dells and checked into a hotel at 2 a.m. The next morning, we walked across the street to a McDonald’s that looked like a log cabin. We were in awe—easily the nicest McDonald’s we’d ever seen.
From there, we headed to the Badlands of South Dakota. We nearly spent the night in the car, but managed to find a hotel just five minutes before the office closed. The Badlands were surreal—like stepping into a prehistoric world where you half-expected a dinosaur to stroll by.
We drove through the Black Hills and saw Mount Rushmore, then continued north through Wyoming into Montana. At one point, we’re pretty sure we drove through a tornado. The rain came sideways, the car shook, and water seeped through the doors. We pulled over, unsure if we’d make it through. I’ve never heard so many tornado warnings on the radio in my life.
In Butte, Montana, we forgot it was July 4th and almost had to sleep in the car again. After a few tries, we found a room. Our final stretch took us through Idaho and Washington State, where the mountain views and crystal-clear lakes took our breath away. It was a drive I’d do again in a heartbeat.
A Love Story Fueled by Adventure
That road trip was more than just a drive—it was the beginning of a life built on shared experiences and spontaneous adventures. Since then, travel has been at the heart of our relationship. We knew early on that if we had children, they’d be coming along for the ride.
Now, as parents of two, we’re raising our kids with the same sense of wonder and curiosity that brought us together. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a big international trip, we believe in making memories, embracing the unexpected, and saying “yes” to the journey.
The Takeaway
You never know when—or how—you’ll meet your person. Sometimes, it starts with a cross-country road trip and a guy who keeps his backpack close, just in case. Life is full of surprises, and travel has a way of bringing the best ones to the surface.
So take the trip. Say yes to the adventure. Even if it’s with someone you just met—you might end up with an incredible story to tell… and a life partner to share it with.