Jim & Riss

I am hoping that by the time I get to the end I will have found a way to begin; but isn’t that always the way…

Let’s start with where I (Riss) was working in 2020 – the managed service provider known as iTel. Jim started at iTel shortly before the pandemic hit. I caught his attention right away, but it took me a little longer… It took an empty office and repeated deliveries of morning tea before I realized.

The more we worked together, the more conversations that we shared, the closer we became. We worked on a course to improve mindfulness and how to hold space and then we started working on a deeper friendship. One day I flashed him a smile that turned off his brain and he almost dumped a cup of tea. I think that was my first real clue lol.

A different day: while I was hiding under my desk at work, trying to figure out how to explain to a customer that I couldn’t possibly deliver on the insane solution that the salesperson had promised, Jim decided that there must be a better way.

So, we started Kam I.T. and very shortly after (with an assist from our dog Freyja) we decided to start dating.

It has been quite the journey so far, and I can’t wait to see what comes next! Not sure who all have heard some of our adventures, but the highlights include an 18 hour drive from Kamloops to Calgary in insane winter weather, some crazy technical support disasters both in town and on the road, several moving debacles, camping in the back of the truck, exploring the family farm and surrounding area, and so many camping trips, BBQs and birthdays. The past few years we have grown together in so many ways and strengthened the ties that connect us to both of our families; we even lucked out and found both our kids moving closer to us!

One summer, we agreed to install overhead internet lines and security cameras in a sky lift, multiple stories off the ground. Those of you who know me well, can just imagine how excited I was to work up in the air! The first day we started quite early and after surveying the site, we were treated with some spare time to watch the sun come up and just enjoy our time together.

Well, this gave Jim an idea and he planned to have us watch the sun rise again very soon. Little did we both know that I could be so miserable… We started at Tim Horton’s, but they weren’t open, yet which kicked off my cranky mood, and then I started complaining… it was too cold, I wanted tea, my phone wasn’t working, it was taking too long for the sun to come up. Needless to say, he changed his mind, and we went home.

So after I totally messed up Jim’s planned proposal, I found a ring in a jacket pocket, jumped to an incorrect conclusion and forced him to come up with a new proposal plan. He walked Freyja and I over to a park bench looking over the North Thompson River and took a knee.

Some time later, while working on yet another telephone system install, I happened to stumble across an entire store’s stock of wedding dresses in a customer’s basement. A job well done saw me acquire the dress, and the next thing I knew, I was dragging my very shocked Mom and Sheena through an army and fishing surplus store to try on dresses in the back office.

I had long dreamed of getting a ring from a small company in Kelowna. Jim called and requested a tour of the manufacturing floor which turned out to be a single guy with a beautiful but underutilized machine in the corner of a rented shop with a floor littered with discarded rings and bits of titanium. The company started out manufacturing bike parts but realized that they had a talent for making rings from the scrap and changed the business – to making stunning wedding rings. This company was just odd ball enough, to be counted as another step in our journey together.

So, we had acquired a dress and a ring, now, we just needed a venue. From a young age Jim had many opportunities to camp at Ruckell Point scout camp. He had memories of tire swings, obstacle courses, swimming, hiking and a lot more. We set out to see if we could use Ruckell Point as a venue. After a year and a half of hounding Scouts Canada for access to the site, they finally agreed. When we went for a tour, we found a memorial to two of the most amazing people who had run Ruckell Point all those years ago and while the rest of the area was a little different from Jims’s memories, it was absolutely the right place.

We love camping, good people, good conversation and laughter. We are planning something lowkey and relaxed – no formal meal (but one of the most amazing people and amazing cook has offered to make a camp style dinner) or speeches, let us say that again, ! NO SPEECHES ! and probably, one of the shortest ceremonies in history OH!…. there will be cake! 😉 Lots of sitting around the campfire, swimming, kayaking, fishing (if you have a license), hiking, or just relaxing. We have the venue for a week so if you want to stay for a few days, please do!

We realize that not all of you are campers and this may be a bit too rustic and that this is not a lot of notice. We will be sending out very few invitations, please do not be offended if you don’t get one. Turns out our amazing families are HUGE! Also, if you get an invitation, we won’t be offended if you decide that this event isn’t for you. We do warmly welcome those who want to celebrate with us and appreciate everyone who can’t!

In lieu of gifts we just ask the pleasure of your company!