Hiam Haddad, a Toronto-based lawyer, and Aaron Redpath, a youth basketball coach and founder of the PDM Basketball Academy, first met in July 2020. While they started off as friends, their connection was hard to resist and by December, they fell into a relationship. Six months later, on June 6, 2021, Aaron proposed and Hiam, of course, said “yes.”

Here’s an inside look into their relationship and what they have in store for their special day. 

Hiam: We first met over social media, luckily enough. We talked quite a bit and then agreed to meet up for a walk. 

Aaron: I came downtown to meet her and I thought it was going to be a quick walk, but we ended up losing track of time and talked aimlessly for over four hours. I’ve never done that before with anyone so that immediately stood out for me. The fact that I was so engaged and interested in everything she said for that long on the first night we met was amazing. We talked about everything, from work and her bucket list to her love for basketball. We just hit the ground running with interesting conversations. 

Hiam: The most important similarity was definitely that we both really love basketball. 

Aaron: She even has a nice little jump shot—she’s played in her day, that’s for sure. 

Hiam: When we first met, I immediately thought he was really nice, generous and had a good heart. Everything went really well, but I wasn’t too interested in him romantically at that time because my mind wasn’t on dating mode. In a way, this helped me feel more comfortable and open because I had my guard down. I was just able to be myself. One thing I immediately noticed about him was how much of a good listener he is. I mentioned that I liked when people messaged me “good morning” and “good night,” so he made it a point to always do that. We became really good friends but ended up not talking for a few months during the fall. Even so, he still remembered my birthday, August 16th, from our first conversation and was the first of my friends and family to wish me a happy birthday. That was really sweet. I messaged him again shortly after wanting to meet up. It was just before Christmas. He came over and we had drinks and tacos, it was really nice. I didn’t expect it to be a date, but it turned into one. I quickly started getting really attached to him and things just naturally fell into place after that. 

Aaron: It was good that we didn’t have expectations for it to turn into a relationship right away. It allowed us to be fully ourselves and just see where things naturally went. During those few months when we didn’t talk, I know I missed her a lot, maybe she missed me too. 

Hiam: I really did. 

Aaron: Once we started talking again, we didn’t want it to stop—and it didn’t. I loved the way she articulated herself. She is such a confident person and I love the fact that she is so independent and really doesn’t need anybody. She was like the wonder woman of my dreams, especially because I’ve always been really independent and wanted to be with someone with a similar mindset and a good head on her shoulders. Plus, I knew she had a hard front and was a straightforward woman, but I saw her soft heart. It also sounds cliche, but it’s true, I could always fully be myself when I was around her and I craved our conversations. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. She always made me feel butterflies and like a little kid with a crush. I had never felt that way before Hiam. 

Hiam: Making me cry over here! I knew he was different because I felt like I could fully be myself around him, too. He made me feel so comfortable and like I could tell him anything. If I’m having a bad day, he’s always the first person I’ll go to and he always knows how to make me feel better. He also always tries to make me feel special and loved, like remembering I like pink roses and surprising me with them on a random day. Finally, he’s so patient and calm—he makes me feel grounded. 

Aaron: She also loves that I’m 6 foot 5.

Hiam: That may have originally been my reason, but it got so much deeper than that. 

Aaron: A few months later, I asked if she wanted to go to Jamaica with me to attend my dad’s wedding and for a little vacation. My dad is Jamaican and was born there, he moved back once COVID first started. He’s never been a winter guy. 

I had planned out that I was going to propose there beforehand and waited until the last few days of our trip to do it—June 6, 2021. In Negril, I booked us dinner at the Tensing Pen Resort—it’s one of the top Caribbean destinations. It’s on a cliffside and has a beautiful view of the sunset and the ocean. Really peaceful and intimate, it was perfect. I reserved a private candle-lit dinner for the two of us. Once I felt it was time, I excused myself from the table to visit the restroom because I wanted her back to be turned to me in order to surprise her with the proposal. As soon as I was about to walk back towards our table, I noticed a small dog approaching her and was worried she was going to notice and turn around and see me, but it thankfully ran the other away. While I had my chance, I quickly walked towards her, got down on one knee and tapped on her shoulder so she’d turn around. I asked her a question, *the* question, and after much shock and a few follow ups, she said “yes.” The rest was history. 

Hiam: At that point in our relationship, I had a feeling a proposal was coming, but I had no idea when. I definitely knew I wanted to be with him for life but when he did propose, I was in complete shock. My mind just went blank and then I started asking a bunch of follow up questions like, “Really?” “Right here?” “Are you sure?” 

Aaron: Lawyer over here…

Hiam: It was honestly so romantic. We then watched the sunset together and walked by the water. It was such a beautiful night and an amazing surprise. We started wedding planning a few months later, we just wanted to enjoy our engagement first. We’re heading back to Jamaica on June 22nd for a small ceremony and reception. We're expecting around 50 people, mostly Aaron’s family since they’re already in Jamaica or have ties there. 

Aaron: My dad’s wife has been able to help streamline the planning process a lot—we’re really blessed in that sense. We’ve booked our venue, caterer, DJ and even planned the decor. It hasn’t been stressful at all, thankfully.

Hiam: Yeah, most of the major plans are finalized, we just need to pick out our wedding songs and smaller details. A lot to look forward to.