Shayna & Mark's Story...

Mark and Shayna are best friends and the love of each others' lives. About three years ago they met briefly at a party where Shayna "tactfully rejected" Mark. He wasn't a quitter though, so he asked a mutual friend to set them up. After their second date, Shayna knew she was in trouble when she called her mom to excitedly tell her that she'd met the man she wants to marry! Mark was thinking the same way and after a couple weeks of dating sent Shayna a bouquet of roses to her work with a framed picture engraved "Shayna you drive me crazy and I want you all to myself! Will you be my girlfriend?"

Shayna, 26, spent her life from age seven until 22 training to go to the Olympics for synchronized swimming. Her ultimate dream came true when she walked out with her team on the 2004 Olympic stage in Athens. Following the Olympics Shayna moved to Las Vegas to perform with the Cirque du Soleil "O" show. Shayna performed 10 shows a week for 18 months and then decided to move back to Calgary to begin the next chapter of her life. That is when she met Mark...

A born and raised Calgarian, Mark, 30, grew up in Bowness and recently moved to Airdrie to live closer to friends and family. Mark plays hockey (terribly!) twice a week in what he calls "the All Star League" with his brother. He is also a half decent (other half terrible) golfer. Mark is currently pursuing a career in real estate while Shayna coaches synchronized swimming and is in her last semester of completing a journalism degree at Mount Royal College.

Mark has always been incredibly romantic, however he went above and beyond with his proposal. While he says no banker in the world would have approved it - when it came time to ask Shayna the big question, he just couldn't wait!

One Saturday morning in September they drove to Canmore to have lunch at Shayna's favorite coffee shop. As they got up to leave, a stretch limo was parked outside. They got in the limo and drove to the beautiful Columbia Icefields. Mark had rented a helicopter and a pilot to take them up to the top of a mountain where they were let out to hike to the top of a twin waterfall. He set up a mini cd player and the song "I do" by Paul Brant began to play. Shayna's eyes filled with tears while Mark walked over and said the most beautiful heartfelt words Shayna had ever heard. He then got down on one knee and asked "Shayna will you marry me?" Shayna burst into full fledge tears and then Mark asked again "Well will you?" Shayna said, "Yes!!!! Of course I'll marry you!!!"

Mark and Shayna are hoping for nationwide support to win this amazing contest. They are saving up to buy their first house in Airdrie and would be thrilled beyond belief to win the wedding of their dreams!!

Click here to read more about Shayna & Mark.