And now the story of Chemainussa国际传媒� Doug Groenendijk and Meghan Russell can be told.
For several months, they had to keep their relationship under wraps until the conclusion of the Farming For Love reality TV series on CTV. They obviously couldnsa国际传媒檛 even reveal that Groenendijk had selected Russell as his potential life partner from among the dating hopefuls on the show.
Filming wrapped up last fall, but that only seemed like yesterday to the television audience when Groenendijk, now 26, announced Russell, now 24, as his choice and she accepted by choosing him as well.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 been about seven months since keeping Meghan under wraps,sa国际传媒� laughed Groenendijk of Greendike Farm on Mount Sicker Road and his own Legend Dairy Farm between Chemainus and Crofton. sa国际传媒淭hankfully, she moved out here a few months ago.sa国际传媒�
A watch party at the Craig Street Brew Pub in Duncan Sunday night brought the finale of the series to the forefront and the reality of what lies ahead for the couple.
Groenendijk said there was about 50 people at the watch party glued to the TV in anticipation of how it would end.
sa国际传媒淪ometimes Isa国际传媒檓 surprised what was shown,sa国际传媒� chuckled Groenendijk. sa国际传媒淚t was a lot of fun watching it sa国际传媒� all good.sa国际传媒�
sa国际传媒淭he moment the finale was done, I met everybody all at once and I walked into their watch party,sa国际传媒� noted Russell.
sa国际传媒淲e surprised everybody there, all my friends and family,sa国际传媒� raved Groenendijk.
Groenendijk and Russell had an immediate connection since shesa国际传媒檚 a dairy researcher from the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph and comes from a family farm in the Ottawa Valley. Russell was comfortable doing all the required challenges on the farm during the show.
sa国际传媒淚 loved being on the farm,sa国际传媒� she said. sa国际传媒淚 felt very at home.sa国际传媒�
Russellsa国际传媒檚 parents have been encouraging throughout the process. It seemed like a no-brainer with her farming background and being single.
sa国际传媒淭hey were the ones that originally told me to apply,sa国际传媒� she said. sa国际传媒淭hey were supportive off the start. Theysa国际传媒檙e very happy for me. Itsa国际传媒檚 been interesting for them to watch the show being aired.sa国际传媒�
Groenendijk has always been busy on the farm and never thought hesa国际传媒檇 wind up going on a reality series for a relationship match.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 crazy what life throws at you,sa国际传媒� he conceded. sa国际传媒淵ousa国际传媒檝e just got to take every opportunity and just give sa国际传媒榚r.sa国际传媒�
Groenendijk said it was difficult to let down the other four daters who were vying to capture his heart.
sa国际传媒淚 was just looking for someone that would fit in with my lifestyle and understand what itsa国际传媒檚 like living on a farm,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淪hesa国际传媒檚 given me a lot of reassurance and support.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 nice being able to focus on one lady now.sa国际传媒�
sa国际传媒淚 know what the schedule can look like,sa国际传媒� added Russell. sa国际传媒淚 take it like it comes. I know farms what theysa国际传媒檙e like. It really turned out well.sa国际传媒�
Groenendijk said Russellsa国际传媒檚 many wonderful qualities won him over.
sa国际传媒淪hesa国际传媒檚 very, very kind to all those around her. Shesa国际传媒檚 very courteous and she makes me smile. She makes me very happy.sa国际传媒�
Since the final taping of the show, sa国际传媒渓ots has happened with her moving out here and getting settled on the island,sa国际传媒� Groenendijk indicated.
That was in December and Russell got to experience her first winter in B.C.
sa国际传媒淭his is my first time ever out here,sa国际传媒� she pointed out. sa国际传媒淚 love it. This winter was amazing. Kudos to my family back home for making it through their winter.sa国际传媒�
Russell took up residence in Nanaimo and has been working at a veterinary practice for the time being.
Groenendijk is still on the family homestead, but a place of their own could be on the horizon soon for the couple now that the show has ended.
The next chapter in their developing relationship can now start playing out in real time.
don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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