And now the story of Chemainus含羞草研究社� 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 couldn含羞草研究社檛 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.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 been about seven months since keeping Meghan under wraps,含羞草研究社� laughed Groenendijk of Greendike Farm on Mount Sicker Road and his own Legend Dairy Farm between Chemainus and Crofton. 含羞草研究社淭hankfully, she moved out here a few months ago.含羞草研究社�
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.
含羞草研究社淪ometimes I含羞草研究社檓 surprised what was shown,含羞草研究社� chuckled Groenendijk. 含羞草研究社淚t was a lot of fun watching it 含羞草研究社� all good.含羞草研究社�
含羞草研究社淭he moment the finale was done, I met everybody all at once and I walked into their watch party,含羞草研究社� noted Russell.
含羞草研究社淲e surprised everybody there, all my friends and family,含羞草研究社� raved Groenendijk.
Groenendijk and Russell had an immediate connection since she含羞草研究社檚 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.
含羞草研究社淚 loved being on the farm,含羞草研究社� she said. 含羞草研究社淚 felt very at home.含羞草研究社�
Russell含羞草研究社檚 parents have been encouraging throughout the process. It seemed like a no-brainer with her farming background and being single.
含羞草研究社淭hey were the ones that originally told me to apply,含羞草研究社� she said. 含羞草研究社淭hey were supportive off the start. They含羞草研究社檙e very happy for me. It含羞草研究社檚 been interesting for them to watch the show being aired.含羞草研究社�
Groenendijk has always been busy on the farm and never thought he含羞草研究社檇 wind up going on a reality series for a relationship match.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 crazy what life throws at you,含羞草研究社� he conceded. 含羞草研究社淵ou含羞草研究社檝e just got to take every opportunity and just give 含羞草研究社榚r.含羞草研究社�
Groenendijk said it was difficult to let down the other four daters who were vying to capture his heart.
含羞草研究社淚 was just looking for someone that would fit in with my lifestyle and understand what it含羞草研究社檚 like living on a farm,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淪he含羞草研究社檚 given me a lot of reassurance and support.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 nice being able to focus on one lady now.含羞草研究社�
含羞草研究社淚 know what the schedule can look like,含羞草研究社� added Russell. 含羞草研究社淚 take it like it comes. I know farms what they含羞草研究社檙e like. It really turned out well.含羞草研究社�
Groenendijk said Russell含羞草研究社檚 many wonderful qualities won him over.
含羞草研究社淪he含羞草研究社檚 very, very kind to all those around her. She含羞草研究社檚 very courteous and she makes me smile. She makes me very happy.含羞草研究社�
Since the final taping of the show, 含羞草研究社渓ots has happened with her moving out here and getting settled on the island,含羞草研究社� Groenendijk indicated.
That was in December and Russell got to experience her first winter in B.C.
含羞草研究社淭his is my first time ever out here,含羞草研究社� she pointed out. 含羞草研究社淚 love it. This winter was amazing. Kudos to my family back home for making it through their winter.含羞草研究社�
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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