Our Story
Bryden was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, while I (Danielle) am from a small seaside village in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. After finishing his undergrad, Bryden moved cross-country to Halifax in August 2017 to pursue a Master’s degree in Marine Management.
After many attempts by mutual friends to introduce us, our paths finally crossed at a friend’s Christmas party in 2019. I was immediately drawn to Bryden – but, as luck would have it, COVID put a pause on any potential romance. When restrictions lifted and Bryden returned from a stint back home in Winnipeg, we found our way to each other effortlessly in September 2020.
Our first date was a walk through my neighbourhood, where we shared stories, dreams, and values – with a lot of focus on travel. We fell for each other quickly and often caught ourselves daydreaming about “one day” taking an extended break from work to explore the world.
Very early in our relationship (I’m talking second or third date – we hadn’t even kissed yet!), Bryden shared his long-standing dream of moving to Arctic Canada, something he was actively pursuing. Understandably, I was a little apprehensive (I really liked him, we hadn’t even kissed, and I’m a classic Type-A Virgo), but he reassured me it wasn’t happening anytime soon, and that we should see where things went. Three months later, I agreed to join him on the journey.
On March 14, 2022, we officially moved to Iqaluit, Nunavut together. Our lives quickly changed from Saturday morning farmers markets, beer gardens with friends, and local date nights to skidooing across the tundra, watching the Northern Lights, and chasing the midnight sun. Living in a remote Arctic community came with its challenges and tested us in new ways, but it was an unforgettable adventure.
In June 2024, we got engaged while hiking a fjord in Norway. After three years in Iqaluit, we moved back to Nova Scotia in April 2025 with a new goal: to get married and finally turn our dream of a gap year into a reality.
We got married in June 2025, surrounded by family and friends in the backyard of my childhood home. As soon as the wedding celebrations wrapped up, we jumped straight into planning – tracking flights, building itineraries, and budgeting for the trip of a lifetime. Bryden’s one-year sabbatical was approved, and I left my full-time job.
This adventure has been years in the making, and we couldn’t be more excited that it’s finally here.
Follow along as we share the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
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