The Long Game
This was the approximate number of "regulars" in the church Singles Group, a small remnant of a group that once numbered in the hundreds.
What is 20?
To make room for Marie's interior design, Dave is clearing off his walls of memorabilia from the UFC and this specific NFL team.
Who are the Minnesota Vikings?
This is the "mighty" river that Marie’s hometown ferry has to cross, a contrast to Dave’s city water bus.
What is the Peace River?
This is the specific, hyphenated breed of the 5-year-old "racing" dog, Ruby-Roo.
What is an Italian Greyhuahua?
This is the specific sci-fi show Marie had to "pass" as a test, an ordeal she has since retired from.
What is Battlestar Galactica?
This specific holiday-adjacent date in 2023 marks the official "Day 1" of Dave and Marie’s dating history.
What is December 20th?
Marie has spent over three decades at the same bank, a career span that has earned her this "permanent" nickname.
What is a "Lifer"?
If the couple is heading to the mountains, they are likely visiting one of these "Big Five" destinations mentioned in their travel list.
What are Waterton, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, or the Okanagan?
While Ruby-Roo is built for speed, Chase the Puggle is known for this "glamorous" hobby involving costumes and photo shoots.
What are dog pageants?
If you’re looking for Dave and Marie before 10:00 AM, you won't find them, as they both identify as this.
What are night owls?
Dave didn't just ask Marie on a date; he brought this specific "prepared" item that duly impressed her from the start.
What is a box of chocolates?
This is the specific, back-office department where Marie manages investments, far away from the "customer-facing" teller line.
What is Investment Policy Administration?
This is the specific 24th-floor hotel location in Edmonton where Dave’s proposal literally "spun" Marie around.
What is La Ronde?
This was the specific "moment of truth" when Marie knew Dave was the one—overhearing him say these five words to a dog.
What is "Oh Ruby, I love you!"
This is the name of the book club Marie founded but notoriously skips, often citing she is "double-booked".
What is the Remarkably Bright Book Club?
This was the specific "strategic" reason Dave chose to sit where he did during that fateful post-church lunch.
What was to be directly across from Marie?
While Dave prefers Starbucks, this is the "expensive" and "unique" hobby Marie is most likely to splurge on despite her banking background.
What are one-off/artisanal coffee shops?
This is the exact number of siblings Marie grew up with, a number that dwarfs Dave’s two sisters.
What is ten?
According to the wedding schedule, the dogs will arrive at the reception at this specific, "diva-approved" time.
What is "fashionably late"?
Despite his initial dislike of the sport, Dave is now a (sad) fan of this specific NHL team.
What are the Edmonton Oilers?
While Dave’s AHS career was in medicine, he originally studied this field—the perfect degree for someone who spent 20 years "communicating" interest from across a church.
What is communications?
Dave officially "retired his jersey" from Alberta Health Services in this month and year.
What is April 2026?
According to the "Winnipeg vs. La Crete" population logic, Dave’s birthplace is approximately this many times larger than Marie’s hometown.
What is ~212 times? (Accept anything around 200x)
Dave was "caught off guard" by the pageants, but his actual professional career involved managing these other types of "devices"
What are medical devices?
This was the "crisis-averting" time delay that finally convinced Marie to show up for her own secret bridal shower.
What is 30 minutes?