Jess and Bal are already a happy couple. However, winning $3,000 in jewelry from Lanka Jewels of Mission has made them even happier.
The couple are the big winners in the Abbotsford News and Mission Record Soulmates Contest.
Seven couples were chosen to compete in the online contest where readers voted to eliminate contestants to establish a winner.
On Friday night, the seven couples gathered at Lanka Jewels for a celebration and to hear the results.
One by one, Andrew Franklin, publisher of the Abbotsford News and the Mission Record announced the name of an eliminated couple until only two remained – Jess and Bal and Kristal and Adam.
And when the winners were revealed, the celebration began.
“My heart was pounding,” said Jess.
“I didn’t know what to say. It’s something we always wanted to win, a big prize like that. It’s awesome to have it in our hands,” said Bal.
Jess said she “definitely” had plans and how to spend the money at Lanka’s.
The couple first heard about the Soulmates contest through friends who had participated in last year’s event. They said the online challenge involved some strategy.
“It was definitely fun. We were trying to think of ways to post things, without being annoying,” said Jess.
They waited until the last week of voting before they made a final push for support.
While the other six contestants did not win the grand prize, none of them left empty-handed.
Lanka’s Ken Selvaraja provided consolation gift bags for all the couples.
About the couples:
As part of the contest, all seven engaged couples were asked a series of questions. Check out some of their answers below
Jess and Bal
A perfect partner is one who?
Jess: Never gives up.
Bal: Can share everything together – not greedy, always giving.
Who was the first person to hear about your engagement?
Jess: My mom.
Bal: Jess’ mother.
You’ve stopped at a convenience store for milk. On a whim you decide to get your fiancé a favourite treat. What do you buy?
Jess: Kit Kat.
Bal: Lindor chocolates.
What is one thing you plan to splurge on for the wedding?
Jess: The rings.
Bal: A gathering with our families and awesome food.
Kristal and Adam
(The couple were unable to attend the presentation)
What first attracted you to your fiancé?
Kristal: His dog and truck.
Adam: Her butt.
What is more important to your fiancé: the ceremony, party or honeymoon?
Kristal: The party.
Adam: The ceremony.
What is the one thing (aside from you, kids or pets) your fiancé would save in a fire?
Kristal: His truck.
Adam: Her cell phone.
What is one thing you plan to splurge on for the wedding?
Kristal: Food!
Adam: Honeymoon.
Gen and Kevin
What gift from your fiancé was the biggest surprise?
Gen: A silhouette cutting machine.
Kevin: The workout bench in our basement.
What was the last thing you disagreed on?
Gen: Who should come to the wedding.
Kevin: Dinner.
What is the most surprising thing you’ve come across / had to deal with while planning your wedding?
Gen: People who won’t attend because their grandkids aren’t invited or because the groom is wearing jeans.
Kevin: Everyone’s opinions about what we’re doing wrong.
What is one thing you plan to splurge on for the wedding?
Gen: The decor.
Kevin: The rings or the honeymoon.
Tricia and Tim
Would you trust your fiancé to choose your wedding attire?
Tricia: Heck no!
Tim: She already has!
Which celebrity does your fiancé resemble?
Tricia: Hugh Jackman! That X-Men hair.
Tim: She is a celebrity in my mind.
My fiancé may be the world’s best ___, and the world’s worst ___.
Tricia: Best servant and worst quick decision maker.
Tim: Best organizer and worst patient person.
What is one thing you plan to splurge on for the wedding?
Tricia: Live music for an epic dance party.
Tim: Honeymoon.
Eva and Josh
(Josh unable to attend so bridesmaid Alicia filled in)
Who wears the pants in your relationship?
Eva: Probably Josh or the cat.
Josh: She does.
What is your fiancé’s irrational fear?
Eva: The ocean, specifically whales.
Josh: Small bugs.
What is the craziest place you’ve ever . . . ?
Eva: The snow.
Josh: Listened to music? He He.
What is one thing you plan to splurge on for the wedding?
Eva: Wedding party accommodation.
Josh: Food and drink. We love to entertain, so as long as our guests are happy, we’re happy!
Ashley and Aaron
My fiancé is a natural born . . .
Ashley: Leader.
Aaron: Mother.
What is your fiancé’s most annoying habit?
Ashley: Leaving pans in the oven while it’s pre-heating.
Aaron: Micro-managing.
I knew I had found the love of my life when . . .
Ashley: He stood by me when I was going through a very tough time.
Aaron: There wasn’t one thing, it’s everything.
What is one thing you plan to splurge on for the wedding?
Ashley: Photography.
Aaron: The pictures because they last forever.
Trinity and Greg
What is your favourite part on your fiancé’s body?
Trinity: His beard.
Greg: Her smile.
What is your financé’s guilty pleasure?
Trinity: Lighting my Bath & Body Works candles while home alone.
Greg: Netflix. All the Netflix.
What are your wedding colours?
Trinity: Marsala, champagne, dusty rose
Greg: I’d say white/yellow, burgundy, grey, but she has other names for them like champagne.
What is one thing you plan to splurge on for the wedding?
Trinity: The food! I want to have the best wedding food ever!
Greg: So far there will be no splurging! Splurging costs too much!