Over the past five years, I’ve shared just about every part of my personal life on this blog.
So why should this be any different?
Her name is Jenna.
She is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.
I suppose everybody says that, and if they don’t; well, they really should.
But it’s true. I get anxiety when I think about what life would be like if she and I weren’t together. Because knowing what this feels like, I simply can’t imagine a different path in life.
Jenna and I met on Halloween in 2010.
I was dressed as Justin Bieber, and she was dressed as Catwoman.
I was belligerently drunk, and she was stone-cold sober. That made for an interesting mix.
In a room full of single guys and gals, I noticed her right away as she had an ear-to-ear smile that lit up the room. I could see her from across the kitchen, and she just didn’t stop smiling.
I like to think that I’m generally a happy person by nature, and my mother told me when I was younger, “You’re approachable because you smile when you talk!” Well Jenna’s smile was picturesque and inviting, so I went to talk to her.
She and a friend were trying to toss M&M’s up in the air and land them in each other’s mouths from across the table, and I said, “Hey – I’m really good at this – watch.” I proceeded to go two-for-two, and Jenna said, “I bet you can’t do that a third time.” So I really put some heat on this one and instead of landing in her mouth, it basically went right into her left lung. She started to cough, then choke a little, and I thought, “Wow, I have an awful way with women
”
We love to reminisce about that night because my recollection differs from reality in a way that is funny to everybody except me. She tells people, “Dave told me the same goddam story about six times – about how he ordered a special Justin Bieber wig but it didn’t get delivered on time.” What can I say? I had one line coming into the night, and obviously I made good use of it!
She also claims that I showed her pictures of my niece, Charlotte, about five times, and told her that I coach kids’ baseball at least twice. I suppose I was showing off my sensitive side. I suppose, of course, because that night was a blur.
But somewhere in that blur, she and I connected, and looking back it’s because we’re both very honest, real, and open people, and we talked all night without trying to act a certain way, be a certain somebody, or do and say all the ‘right’ things.
Meeting Jenna’s family was an eye-opening experience. You know how 99% of the people you date have parents that you have to act a certain way around? Well the second time I met Jenna’s mother, I was basically myself – uncut, and uninhibited. And for those people that know me, or ready my blog, you can imagine what I’m like most of the time!
I felt an immediate family connection with Jenna’s mom, and I felt as comfortable as I would feel around my own mom. Considering how most people usually talk a bit quieter, slower, higher-pitched, and more polite around their significant others’ parents, I realized that being myself right off the bat meant this was a perfect fit.
I’ve grown to love her whole family – her grandparents are amazing, and I FINALLY beat her cousin Marlon in a best-of-seven series of ping-pong, after a year of trying. And I’m a good ping pong player! This kid is a wonder; let me tell you!
I’ve discovered that in order to truly love somebody, you have to love every one and everything around them. You have to take to their hobbies and interests as well, and I can honestly say that there’s nothing I would change about our lives together.
I’m not an easy guy to put up with.
I’m a bit rough around the edges, and I have my faults, like anyone else.
I’m not what you would call ‘normal,’ and yet Jenna seems to like every part of my being. Love it, in fact. The crazier I am, the happier she is.
And I’m crazy. Isn’t it obvious?
So thus begins a new chapter in life.
As we approach the 5th anniversary of Toronto Realty Blog, I find it fitting that I use this forum to spread the joy I’m experiencing to all of my loyal readers.
Don’t worry – I will not slow down from my seven-day, seventy-hour-per-week pace
until we’re married with children. So I commit to you another 4-5 posts per week for the foreseeable future, and I will try my hardest never to be this mushy again.
David.
Moonbeam!
at 7:48 am
Mazel tov to the happy couple! Best wishes for health and happiness together, continue to make each other smile!
Parkhurst.Jules
at 7:57 am
This is the most AWESOME news ever, David!
Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for both of you 🙂
You guys are perfect together, as I’ve said from the start….
Lindsay
at 8:09 am
Your smiles are contagious!
This made me beam ear to ear… So happy for you both! Congratulations…
Thanks for sharing.
jk89
at 8:15 am
congrats
McBloggert
at 9:08 am
Congrats David and Jenna – Mr. and Mrs. McBloggert couldn’t be happier for you both!
JH
at 9:22 am
*yawn*
…
KIDDING!
I particularly love the photo you chose to post, which is sort of like one of those “What’s hidden in this photo?” pictures people post on Facebook that just shows an average, furnished living room, until you get closer to the screen and start looking around in more detail and eventually – spoiler alert – discover the little troll-looking creature behind the sofa. That’s not to say that you look like a troll… just that the lighting could have been a little more favourable.
Congratulations to both of you!
David Fleming
at 10:45 am
@ JH
I liked that photo! But I’ve had about a dozen people say, “Why couldn’t you have chosen a photo that wasn’t taken by a blind/drunk person?” I thought it was kind of artsy, no? Flowers in the front, us in the back?
I do kind of look like a troll…
Graham
at 9:24 am
Congratulations David!
CurriedJoliats
at 10:38 am
David and Jenna are the cutest couple ever!!!
Congrats to the happy couple. Will be great parties ahead.
Gypsy
at 11:13 am
Congratualations David and Jenna.
Joe Q.
at 11:29 am
Congrats, David!
Blog Stalker
at 12:24 pm
So I missed my chance!?!?!?!? I knew I should have made my move earlier!!
Rebecca
at 12:31 pm
Congrats! I haven’t commented before, so I figure now is a good time. Let me know if you need any help from a certified wedding professional for planning your big day. I’d love to be of assistance!
Loyal reader of your blog,
Rebecca Chan
Cody
at 8:31 am
Hi Rebecca,
In the spirit of engagements and proposals, and after reviewing your website, I would like to take this opportunity to propose to you sight unseen. Think about it!
Also, congratulations David and Jenna!
Kyle
at 1:20 pm
Congratulations to both of you!
You don’t have to share if you don’t want to, but enquiring minds want to know…How did you pop the question?
David Fleming
at 1:51 pm
@ Kyle
I have the entire proposal on video.
If I’m ‘allowed,’ I might just put it on YouTube.
It’s very embarassing, as I basically talked to the camera for six minutes and said all kinds of stuff that didn’t make sense – waiting for Jenna to come through the front door of the condo. And when she arrived, I actually forgot to say, “Will you marry me?” Thankfully, she saw that I was holding a ring and I was on a knee, so she filled in the blanks and said “Yes.”
Kyle
at 2:27 pm
Well done! The best proposals are the ones that don’t go perfectly, they end up being far more memorable and personal.
Gilda
at 2:21 pm
I am so happy for you both! Mazel Tov!
All my love!
Gilda
Colin
at 4:30 pm
Congrats! Wishing you both all the best.
I agree it’s more fun when things going unexpectedly (well).
B
at 4:55 pm
Congratulations!
JG
at 8:56 pm
I’m a little late to the party – just getting on your blog now.
CONGRATULATIONS DAVID!! Thats amazing.
All the best to you and Jenna –
Clara
at 11:58 pm
Congratulations David! and best wishes to your lovely bride to be.
buk
at 3:02 am
congrats!
time to buy that house in leaside.
Patrick P.
at 7:39 am
Congrats Dave, you’ve got a great gal there!
Geoff
at 8:47 am
Congrats! Married life is a lot more fun than some people say it is 😉 g
Gerrit
at 10:13 am
Congrats, it’s the best thing that can happen to someone,
Chuck
at 3:51 pm
Love is all you need.
Congratulations!
Scott
at 1:53 am
Way to go David. Congrats to you both!!!
Scott
at 1:54 am
“Your comment is awaiting moderation”?? LOL!
David Fleming
at 9:55 am
@ Scott
Sorry – I moderate all the comments. I almost never delete comments (less than 1% of the time), but better safe than sorry!
Krupo
at 12:46 am
Let me take some decent engagement photos for you. Congrats. 🙂
Anthony
at 9:56 pm
The spotlight seems to be on the flowers! Congrats to ya!