Laura Hurst Mathieu Haley
September 13, 2014
Our Story
Her Story
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It was almost five years ago now... I decided to have my birthday celebration for my 23rd birthday in Niagara Falls. I wanted to "get away" without it being too far. I was single at the time, so I decided to invite any friends that wanted to come and celebrate with me (both male and female). It just so happens that a lot of my close girl friends could make it up the night of my actual birthday (June 12) and a lot of my guy friends were going to come up the following night (the evening of June 13).
My friend Eric, that planned on coming, asked me if he could bring a friend of his with him. Being "the more the merrier" type of person I am, I said "sure"! I asked Eric if I would know this friend of his he was bringing and he was convinced I'd met this particular friend before. On the evening of Saturday June 13, Eric met me and my other friends at Kelsey's. I saw that he was walking in with his friend (Mat), but I did not recognize this "friend" at all. I leaned over to Eric to tell him this, and he was shocked that I did not know Mat (considering that apparently we had been at some of the same events with mutual friends in the past). I was then formally introduced to Mat, and the group of us enjoyed a great dinner at Kelsey's.
Throughout the evening, the group of us walked up and down Clifton Hill and eventually wound up at the glow-in-the-dark mini putt. I could already tell that there was something interesting and unique about Mat at this point (which peaked my interest a little bit). He was more reserved than most guys, yet he seemed like a nice person who liked to have fun in life. During the mini putt game, Mat expressed how neat the glow-in-the-dark element is and I told him there was one right in Whitby, where he told me he lived. In our discussion, we both said it would be fun to go sometime (although I didn't think too much about it at the time). The group of us continued the evening until we ended up back in our hotel room. Everyone played cards at first and then some got tired and watched TV. Mat and I, on the other hand, seemed to play cards together until we could barely keep our eyes open.
The next day, we did some more fun activities together as a group. We went to the Skylon Tower for brunch, went on the Maid of the Mist boat tour and went to the Ripley's "Believe It or Not" Museum. Throughout the day, I found myself talking more and more with Mat and getting to know him. He was different than many guys I had encountered before (which was really refreshing). It was really aparent to me, when we were in the Ripley's Museum, that Mat was more in his element. He was more expressive and less reserved. He was exploring the museum, laughing with me and he was also sharing interesting facts he knew about various things in the museum. At this point, I thought to myself "not only is this guy genuine and fun to be around, but he's smart and has a great sense of humour too". I could already feel my level of interest rising. This feeling, of course, made me a little nervous (as I had been hurt in past relationships and had just finished telling my girl friends a couple nights before that "I am not looking for anything" and "I want to be single for a "while"). Haha!
I decided to pull back, and tried to distance myself before we parted ways to drive home (each with our friends we had carpooled up with). I tried being a little less talkative overall, and attempted to focus on the other friends that were with us in the group. Well... it didn't really work. Mat decided to strike up conversations with me at that point and continue the subtle flirtatious rapport that had been apparent for the past 24 hours. Right before we left Niagara Falls, the group of us ended up at the big Fudge Factory on Clifton Hill. Mat accompanied me to the cashier where I proceeded to order a delicious chocolate caramel apple. When the cashier turned to asked Mat what he wanted, he simply replied by saying "I'll have the same as her". We smiled at each other and I told him he wouldn't regret that choice because it is bound to be an amazing treat! Then, it came time to part ways and drive home. Mat drove with Eric because that's who he came up with. I said "goodbye" and they drove away.
Very shortly after the weekend (2 days later to be precise), Mat got my contact information from Eric and decided to send me a private messgae. It was very straight forward, cute and to the point. He said that the chocolate caramel apple was "amazingly delicious", and that he wanted to set something up with me. He asked "when were we going to go mini putting"? I was excited to hear from him, but nervous at the same time. (I'm embarassed to say that I lightly tried to blow off his invitation). Haha! However, Mat was pretty persistant in trying to make our schedules work together and find a time to go out as soon as possible. Finally, I agreed to meet with him for a game of mini putt on Saturday June 20 (exactly one week after we met). That evening could not have gone any better! We were laughing together, making conversation and simply enjoying each other's company. I knew by the end of that first date that I really liked this guy! I liked him so much that I told a white lie- I told him I did not have to wake up early for work the next morning just so that we could spend a little more time together! Hahaha!
From that point on... the rest is pretty much history. We continued to see each other more and more, we went on many exciting dates together, and quickly become very attached to one another. Finally, Mat had the idea to go on a short road trip (just the two of us) and how appropriate that the destination be back up to Niagara Falls (where we first met and felt a connection)! So, the weekend of August 14-16, 2009... that's where we were. It was one of the best weekends I had experienced in my lifetime thus far. It was an exhilarating feeling to feel so connected with someone who seemed to really appreciate me for all that I am. On the Saturday evening (August 15th), Mat and I walked down to the falls where they had a beautiful firework display. As I stood there in his arms, he leaned over and told me he loved me! I felt the same so I promptly responded "I love you too".
Ever since then... our relationship has continued to flourish, while learning with each other and growing together. In the last five years, we have done a lot. We bought a house, got a cat, adopted a dog, got engaged and we've also been on many exciting trips! Niagara has continued to be a special place for us, and we try to visit at least once or twice a year. I am so thankful for these past five years, and I can not wait to see what the next chapter brings!
(In retrospect- I am SO happy I "caved", choosing to set my fears aside, and decided to go out with Mat on that very first mini putting date. I have no idea where I would be in life right now... but I can not imagine being as happy).
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His Story
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On a beautiful Saturday afternoon about five years ago, my buddy Eric Soucy was giving me a lift home after work. He happened to mention that he was going to Niagara Falls that night for some girl's birthday. He had originally planned on going up with someone else, but apparently that fell through so he asked if I would like to come.
Because it wasn't his birthday to be inviting people to, and being the courteous type of guy that he is, he made the call to the birthday girl (Laura). He was convinced that we had both met each other already, and I wasn't really concerned either way, but Laura agreed that it would be fine for Eric to bring me with him.
Within an hour or so, after both going home, getting cleaned up and ready to go, we were on our way to Niagara Falls. I obviously brought a mixed tape (CD) for the trip, so we could rock some beats on the way to Niagara! Haha! Once we arrived in Niagara Falls, and got lost for a half hour or so, we found somewhere to park and were on our way to meet the group at Kelsey's.
Now... when Eric initially told me that some girl was having her birthday in Niagara Falls, my first thought was that there would be a bunch of girls (hopefully single) partying and having a good time. So when we walked into Kelsey's and located the group... I was shocked to see that there was only a couple of guys and the birthday girl. Haha! I'll admit, it kind of threw me off at first. But then, when I first saw Laura... it's like anything else didn't really matter. I thought to myself that this was one good looking girl. Great smile, approachable, and very happy-go-lucky. My initial instinct was that I wanted to get to know this girl (but the odds were definitely against me with a 4 to 1 guy to girl ratio).
Apparently, most of Laura's girl friends had been there on the Friday night and Saturday during the day to celebrate with her, and the five of us were what was left for the Saturday evening. But, everyone was there for a good time, and a good time we would have! So we all set out to have a great night out on the town in Niagara Falls.
We saw some of the sights, and walked all over the place, but the one consistent thing was that me and Laura were having some good conversations throughout the night and finding a lot of common ground. I think I was smiling more than I had in quite a while. I even tried on her jacket at one point (which she was somehow convinced would fit me) and it turned out with me being stuck in it and not being able to move my arms without possibly tearing the jacket. Haha! It definitely gave everyone a good laugh though, including me and Laura.
One of the places we went to was the glow in the dark mini putt, which I had never been to before. I don't think I had even been mini putting in ten years or more. We all had a blast, and Laura mentioned that there was one just like it in Whitby, and said we should go sometime, in a nonchalant way. As the night came to an end, and we hung out a bit more in the hotel room, I could definitely feel a connection between me and Laura.
The next day we all went and had breakfast at the Skylon Tower. After, we went out and saw some of the sights and did some activities, like the Ripley's Museum and the Maid of the Mist. Laura and I continued to talk and learn about each other throughout the day. The more I learned, the more I was interested and attracted to her.
Before we all parted ways, we stopped in at a huge candy shop on Clifton Hill for some sweets. Laura seemed excited and went for one of these chocolate caramel candy apples (which looked ridiculously good). Seeing as she was so enthusiastic about it, I figured I would get one too. At the end of day, we all went our separate ways and I told Laura we should get together sometime.
Me and Soucy talked a bit on our way home, and I asked him if he thought Laura might of had some interest in me. He wasn't too convinced, and he told me that she is just a really friendly person so it's hard to say whether it's just her being friendly, or if she actually had a little more interest than that. Either way, I know that I definitely felt a connection and I was going to follow up! I asked Soucy for Laura's last name so that I could look her up on Facebook when I got home.
Once I was back home, I sent off my friend request to her. Within the next day or so, she accepted, and I simply posted "Mmmm, chocolate caramel candy apple" to her facebook wall. I followed that with a private message asking her when we were going mini putting at Putting Edge (the glow in the dark mini putt in Whitby). We went back and forth a little trying to figure out a time that worked and eventually decided we'd go the following weekend.
So on the following Saturday, we went out for a game of mini putt. We had a great night together, and time just flew by! Naturally I didn't want the night to end, so I asked her if she wanted to come back to my place and watch a movie if she didn't have to be up early for work or anything the next day. She told me she didn't have to (but I found out at a much later date that was a small lie and she did have to work the next day). Ha! Either way, we went back to my place and enjoyed a movie together.
After that night, I knew there was something special between me and Laura, and I was quick to arrange a second date!
The rest is history.
We have travelled, experienced new and old things together, bought a house, got a crazy cat and dog, lived, loved and laughed. And on September 13th, we will continue our amazing journey as husband and wife! I can't wait!
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