If Paul Zachariasz ever thought he was nervous as he prepared to woo his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day, it will be nothing compared to this year.
Zachariasz and his girlfriend of four-and-a-half years will be marking this Valentine’s Day by tying the knot in a quiet mid-day ceremony here today.
Zachariasz, 27, immigrated from Poland to Ontario with his family eight years ago. His fiancée, Goska “Margaret” Szeremeta, 23, arrived in Canada for the first time in December.
“It’s actually kind of a funny story,” said Zachariasz. “About four-and-a-half years ago, I went back to Poland and I went to the bar with some friends because I hadn’t been there in four years.
“She came from working in Germany and it was her first day back in Poland so she had her friends go to the bar,” he added. “It was summer and there were lots of people so they had to share our table.”
Since then, the two have corresponded constantly, with Zachariasz having returned to Poland to visit her a number of times.
Zachariasz asked Goska to come and stay in Canada for short stint and see if she liked it but she was refused a Canadian working visa four times. Finally, the couple agreed to use the fiancé visa in order to be together.
Szeremeta arrived in Fort Frances on Dec. 6 and didn’t know a word of English. But since her arrival, she’s already picked up a fair bit of the language and has even been able to find a job here.
“She came here and she couldn’t speak a word. I’m surprised how much she learned,” noted Zachariasz.
Zachariasz made it official, offering her a ring, shortly after she arrived.
“We went on the frozen Lake Superior, on the ice on the biggest lake in the world,” he said. “She loves it here. She says the people are great and she loves the countryside.”
The couple will be married by a justice of the peace at 1 p.m. at the Fort Frances Courthouse, surrounded by a few friends and some of Zachariasz’ family members
“I’m nervous but not scared. I’m nervous about how it’s going to work out but I am sure I’m doing the right thing and she’s sure she’s doing the right thing,” said Zachariasz.
“It’s just getting used to the whole forever thing. I got used to the single life,” he laughed.
They plan to exchange vows again in a larger, Roman Catholic ceremony in Poland in a year or two so Szeremeta’s family and friends can attend.
With 90 days to get married under the fiancé visa, the couple agreed Valentine’s Day would be as good a time as any.
“I thought it’s kind of a romantic day and she agreed. And it helps me not to forget the date,” he laughed.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
