Adam James Walter Malejko was born April 30, 1979 in Hinton, AB. Melissa Marie Coderre was born January 7, 1980 in Calgary, AB. They first met in school, probably Junior High, but it was in High School that they were in the same TA (homeroom) and got to know each other a little bit.
After high school, they both attended the University of Calgary (Adam to pursue a BSc in Computer Science, Melissa to pursue a BSc in Zoology), and saw each other occasionally on campus. They got together for a movie a couple of times during those years, but didn't really stay in touch.

Late 2004... Melissa, now divorced, recently moved into her very first mortgaged-home, a condo in Airdrie. Adam lives on his own in an apartment downtown. They both spend a lot of time online, and on online dating sites.
One winter evening, Melissa is browsing through the 20+ pages of men who "meet" her inputted criteria, for age, hobbies, etc. On page 18, she sees a familiar face; Adam! She sends him a smile and doubts he'll remember her. He does, responds and they start talking. And it was like they'd known each other their whole lives.

January 7, 2005 they get together for their first "date", with the intention of going out to a movie to celebrate Melissa's birthday. After meeting at the theatre, they both decide there's nothing they want to watch there, and go to Adam's apartment to watch something on DVD. Some time around 3am, Melissa struggles to keep her eyes open while driving home with a huge grin on her face -- the beginnings of a wonderful relationship built around their mutual love of cuddling!

Late summer 2005, Melissa is tired of her 70 minute (one-way) commute and wants to move back to Calgary. Housing prices have risen, and the only thing she can afford is in bad neighbourhoods. They talk, and decide to buy a townhouse together. They find one in Erinwoods, put in an offer on it, and then wait while Melissa's realtors attempt to sell her condo. Realtors suck, condo doesn't sell, and the offer on the Erinwoods townhouse falls apart, as it was conditional on the condo selling. Adam & Melissa re-consider what they're looking for, and start looking at houses in the same area. Melissa finds one that she loves, Adam likes it, too, and they try to keep their hopes up and put in an offer. The condo finally sells (on an assumed mortgage, after the expiry date, so they give up their realtor fees), and the offer on the house is accepted, details worked out, and finally SOLD. They move in Dec 2, 2005.

Short story:
Approaching their 1-yr anniversary of living together (federal common-law point), and Melissa is nervous that Adam is going to leave (even though he's not acting as if he wants to go). When she asks if he wants to be around long-term, he doesn't answer, or gives a non-commital response. Finally, in desperation, she asks if she should propose, and to her great surprise, gets the response "I'll take care of it" from Adam.
In the week leading up to "the date", they discuss going out for dinner in Banff. Then Melissa decides to suggest going skiing. Adam agrees. Melissa wants new skis, and they're on sale. She suggests getting new skis. Adam agrees. New skis purchased, bindings mounted and the decision made to go out for dinner Friday night prior to skiing on Saturday ("the date"). They get dressed up and are on their way to the restaurant when the restaurant calls; they've had a problem with their online reservation system and don't actually have room for us until 9:30. They go elsewhere, and are overdressed.

Up early the next morning, and on their way to the ski hill. Melissa drives, Adam naps. They arrive, late, and begin skiing. Melissa's new skis are great!
Around 11, they start talking about where to eat the lunch they brought. Adam suggests they go down the front, then up the "Top of the World" chair, then down the back to the lodge for lunch. Sounds great, Melissa agrees. Going up the "Top of the World" chair, Melissa suggests they ski the run beneath the lift and Adam agrees.
They start down, and it's tough. At a place with beautiful scenery, she stops. Adam is having trouble with his boot, so bends down to fix it. Melissa asks for the camera that he's carrying and takes a few pictures of the scenery. Adam mumbles something about needing chapstick, and then is grabbing at Melissa's mitts, pulling them off her hands. Upset, and cold, Melissa fights him, then realizes he's in the snow on one knee and there's something shiny in his hand. He looks at her, says "Melissa, will you marry me?" and her knees give out. Shocked, she struggles to her feet to give him a hug (and an attempt at a kiss). Realizing she hadn't answered, he asks again, and of course she says yes!! They kiss, hug and try not to fall down the hill.
He puts the ring on her finger and though she doesn't want to, she puts her gloves back on. They go down the run, back up the chair and then over to the lodge for lunch.

Sorry - engagement photos are no longer available online. If you want to see them, let us know and we'll send you some.

When they get home (Melissa still a bit giddy), they tell his mom. She couldn't know before, as she can't keep a secret! She repeated "oh my god" in a progressively higher and higher pitched voice until she started crying. She may still be in shock today. :P

And then they started planning... and then you came to this site!

For those of you who may not have it, you can reach Melissa via email by removing the "no spam" at melissanospam@malejko.com

You can reach Adam via email by removing the "no spam" at adam@malejkonospam.com

Thanks!