This Montreal love story began with a chance online connection during a lonely evening eventually became a 13-year love story filled with travel, laughter, pets, and countless adventures. Philippe and Youenn’s relationship started with a simple chat, grew through long walks and unforgettable dates in Montreal, and ultimately led to a surprise proposal in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Santorini. From their first conversation to building a life together, theirs is a beautiful reminder that sometimes love finds you when—and where—you least expect it.

COUPLE: Philippe & Youenn

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TOGETHER?: 13 years

PHOTOGRAPHER: Frances Morency Photography

Single and available, I had decided to live with my grandmother, Laurenza, who needed special care in her old age. Laurenza was often sleepy and went to bed very early, so early that the sun was still high in the sky. I spent many evenings watching TV or ready quietly, but being a fairly social person, I soon became bored and felt the need for someone to talk to. One evening, no longer able to bear the silence, I finally seized the opportunity to free myself from the tenacious grip of loneliness. I decided to open a chat profile to pass the time - virtual contact with someone was better than nothing at all!

To my surprise, the moment I logged on, the first photo I saw was that of a handsome young man standing in the Moroccan breeze who seemed incredibly charming. It was Youenn - online and ready, though he didn't know it yet, to save me from my long nights staring at the walls of my grandmother's house.

We started chatting right away. Neither of us can remember who sent the first message, but one thing is certain: we clicked instantly. At first, we tried to keep our excitement under control, writing to each other only occasionally. But we quickly got carried away. Soon we were logging on every hour to see if the other had sent something new. Even though we tried to remain calm and rational, we kept putting off meeting in person because neither of us was looking to commit to anything serious at the time. But nature had other plans. Our conversations were so natural and enjoyable that eventually, we simply had to meet and see who this Prince Charming was who seemed too good to the true.

A few clicks later, we set a date. On a beautiful summer's day, Youenn sat near the bicycle racks at the Champ-de-Mars metro station to wait for me. After work, I arrived, and we had no trouble recognizing each other after nearly a month of chatting. Both shy, we made our way to Montreal's Old Port for the evening, where we ended up walking for hours, talking about anything and everything. When it was time to part ways, I remember feeling the instant urge to text him - and he later told me he felt the same - to say that out first date had been wonderful and that it would be fun to do it again sometime. And that's exactly what we did. Several times, in fact. Yet for some reason, we were still hesitant to say we were a couple - perhaps out of caution, to avoid the trials and tribulations love can bring.

Despite our unspoken fears, the summer passed, and we grew closer and closer. it was actually at a friend's wedding, after everyone assumed we were already together, that we finally decided to make it official. So we chose that evening, August 25, as our anniversary.

Since that day, Youenn and I have enjoyed countless wonderful moments together- travelling the world, sharing laughter, and making new friends. We settled into a beautiful little house with our two dogs. Nève and Lupa, and our kitten, Watashi. Eight years later, during a trip, at sunset in the waters of the Aegean Sea off the magnificent red beach of Santorini, ring in hand, Youenn jumped into the water and swam toward me to give me the most beautiful surprise of my life: "Will you marry me?"

This engagement story can be found in the Spring/Summer 2026 issue of The Wedding Ring Magazine