You could say the love between Jenny MacLean and Edward White is rock solid.
After meeting on the curling ice seven years ago, they have been celebrating their love of the game and each other ever since.
Just a year out of high school, White of Fredericton, N.B., was taking part in a curling tournament in early February at the Silver Fox Curling Club when he looked over and noticed MacLean of Summerside on another team.
White worked up the courage to go over and talk to MacLean.
“I’m usually a pretty shy guy,’’ White told The Guardian on Thursday. “Both of our teams were in the semifinals, and her team was warming up. For some reason, I saw them there and walked over and said (to Jenny) ‘I bet I can do more pushups than you’.’’
It was said in pure fun but MacLean was smitten by her suitor.
“I would say (it was love at first sight),’’ she said. “We didn’t really talk the rest of that day, (but) the next day, Ed asked me if I wanted to go for lunch before he went back to Fredericton. We just kept talking since then.’’
“It was just one of those things in life where it felt right to me. A lot of things we do (in general) just sort of happen for a reason.’’
Did you know?
Here are some Valentine’s Day fast facts:
- In 1868, British chocolate company called Cadbury created Fancy Boxes, a decorated box of chocolates in the shape of a heart for Valentine’s Day.
- In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manners of gifts, such as giving jewelry.
- The average Canadian spends $164 on Valentine’s Day, according to Statistics Canada.
- According to valentinegiftsforher.ca, most Canadians prefer sex to a gift.
- The website also found Canadian men tend to be more generous than women on this day.
Three weeks later, White, interested in pursuing a career as a carpenter, returned to P.E.I. to check out the program at Holland College. He dropped in to see MacLean at her parents' house but his intention was to stay with a friend in Charlottetown.
Mother Nature had other plans for the future couple.
“There was a really bad snowstorm ... and he got storm-stayed at our house,’’ Jenny laughed. “The storm was so bad he got stuck at my house, first time meeting my parents.’’
“But, I slept in the basement,’’ White is quick to add.
The couple maintained a long-distance relationship for a few years before White moved to P.E.I. They tied the knot last August and had the wedding reception – of course – at the Silver Fox.
They now live in Summerside. Edward, 25, runs his own construction company called E.D. White Construction while Jenny, 23, is licensed practical nurse at the Prince County Hospital.
The newlywed couple recently won the P.E.I. mixed doubles curling championship at the Silver Fox and will represent the province at the nationals in Portage La Prairie, Man., in March.
“It was so cool that it all ended up happening at the Silver Fox,’’ Jenny said.
The couple believes the stars aligned for them that day seven years ago at the curling club.
“When I met Jenny I wasn’t really looking for anybody,’’ Edward said. “It was just one of those things in life where it felt right to me. A lot of things we do (in general) just sort of happen for a reason.’’
“I feel very lucky to have me Ed,’’ Jenny said. “He’s such a sweet person, so caring. As we go through things and grow up, you realize just how lucky we were to have met and have had experiences.’’
Edward and Jenny will celebrate Valentine’s Day today like many couples, by going out to supper.
Asked if they had any advice for those looking who are for that special someone, Jenny said “Just be kind ... and you’ll have the most authentic moments with people.’’
Edward added, “Just be yourself. That person will come along.’’
