MONA and DAVE'S BIO
We met at Arlington Woods Free Methodist Church in Ottawa. David was helping Corey Peters install
the computer network, and Mona was a lay pastor working with youth. Over the next year or two we saw
each other a bit, but didn't know each other very well.
David met Mona's Dad and brother Lisle when we became roommates in June 2002. Mr. Brathwaite was in Ottawa
for Mona's graduation and to help the kids settle into the new place. Lisle attended Algonquin College for drafting
. Mona's brother Sheldon came to Ottawa for a brief visit and we had a chance to sit down and chat a couple times.
Mona and David have been officially dating since November 6, 2003.
Our first official date as a couple was the Barbados Independance Dance in Ottawa towards the end of November 2003.
Mona met David's family over New Year's 2004 while in Kingston on a lay pastor course.
Mona went home to Barbados for a week towards the end of May 2004. Apart from attending her grandmother's 102nd birthday party,
she enjoyed visiting with friends and family. Not to mention catching up on some court time (basketball!).
Mona's Dad came to visit for Mona's 2nd graduation in June 2004. David talked with Mr. Brathwaite about what was to happen next...
David asked Mona to marry him in August just before the mission trip, and gave her the ring that night as well.
Then he left with the main group for the mission trip in Northern Quebec while she worked for 2 more days before joining
the group. During that time apparently everyone at Algonquin College wanted to extend their best wishes - to the point
where Mona had a hard time doing her work!
As it turns out we weren't the only happy announcement on the mission trip - Lisa Brezee had a proposal
waiting for her when we got back to Ottawa! She was sooo happy!
Planning the wedding has proven full of challenges starting with location - no matter where the ceremony was to be held
large parts of family from one side or the other are not able to attend. That is when we decided to
have the ceremony in Barbados and a reception afterwards in Ottawa.
