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