Our Story

Meeting

In a little corner at the Brock University Starbucks Café back in 2017, Rochelle and Nick's story began! Although their first date sparked the relationship, they were unaware their stars were aligned much earlier than this! In the small St. Catharines General Hospital, Nicholas Ricky Rogers was born on November 14, 1991. Little did Janice and Grant Rogers know that their paths crossed with Janet and Paul Tkach about a day later on November 16, 1991 when Rochelle Marion Tkach was born. Was it fate?

Since then, they grew up in separate areas of St. Catharines, but again, crossed paths from 2005-2009 when they both attended Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School. Having very different academic pathways and friend groups, Rochelle and Nick knew of each other, but never developed a closer friendship.

Dawn the age of Tinder...after years of on and off dates on Tinder, Rochelle swiped right on a familiar face, Nick Rogers. As the story goes, Nick swiped right on Rochelle and just happened to be his frist Tinder date! First time's the charm?

Since their first coffee date, Nick and Rochelle have had many adventures together attending concerts, sports games, drag shows, camping, friends' weddings, and travelling! 

Growing

Back in 2019, Rochelle and Nick decided to buy their first home together! Very exciting times...until a wave of COVID-19 hit the world! Thankfully, moving out just before the pandemic meant Nick and Rochelle had a safe home together to start many at-home renovations and grow their family. Most notably, their backyard project reno turned into quite the passion project for the both of them! 

In 2020, a little addition by the name of Willow lit up their world, and although she moves through life with intensity, anyone who knows her, feels her loveable sweet personality. While raising Willow, Nick and Rochelle learned a lot about puppy training and truly felt like they could take on another puppy with ease! 

Then came the spit fire, Oakley, in 2021. She was quite the spur of a moment decision while scrolling Kijiji and talking to one of Rochelle's childhood friends, Tina. Within a single evening, they both made the decision to buy puppy siblings from the same litter, Oakley and Fredrick. Unlike Willow, Oakley feared nothing and was a master escape and destruction artist. From chewing drywall to learning to open doors, Oakley kept Rochelle and Nick busy during her puppy years. Now that the two doggies have matured, they are the perfect balance between each other. They love walks, camping, and chasing squirrels in the backyard. 

Achieving

Throughout their relationship, Nick and Rochelle have shared many milestones together! During the early stages of their relationship, Rochelle was hard at work completing her Masters of Education at Brock University. It was the perfect time for Rochelle to meet such a supportive life partner to help her achieve her goals! As soon as she defended her thesis, Nick and Rochelle went on their first trip to Chicago to celebrate. Then in 2018, Rochelle finally landed her full-time teaching contract with the District School Board of Niagara!

Rochelle and Nick have shared many interests and hobbies over the years, but most notably, they have shared a love of Crossfit since 2021. They have achieved many personal fitness goals and have built such a supportive community at their Crossfit gym. In 2024, Nick and Rochelle took a risk and signed up for their first Crossfit competition, Bros and Does! It put both of their mental and physical fitness to the test! 

Itching for a career change, in 2024, Nick decided to take a chance and go back to school. He was accepted into the Ontario College of Health and Technology, and after graduating, he was hired by Niagara EMS! Through such a hectic two years of school and full-time working, Nick tributes his success in the program to the strength of his family at home and friends. 

Dreaming

In 2025, after putting it off for two years, Nick and Rochelle went on the trip of a lifetime through the Mediterranean (Greece, Italy, and Malta). After an unexpected morning in Santorini, Greece (IFYKYK), the day became a memory they will never forget! Nick popped the question in front of a little Greek, Orthodox church, and Rochelle of course said YES! As if it wasn't already perfect, Nick, with the help of Rochelle's Uncle Tom, Aunt Tammy, and cousin Bradley, designed a very special purple sapphire engagement ring. 

Rochelle and Nick are very excited to start this next chapter and see what the future holds. They hope it is filled with more adventures around the world, strong friendships, laughter, and health. They are so ready to bring together the Tkach and Rogers families. Hopefully this snap of their love story gets you a little more pumped to celebrate Rochelle and Nick on July 17, 2027!