After their Cox Bay proposal in 1992 and celebrating multiple anniversaries in Tofino throughout the following years, Kent and Monica—from The Pas, Manitoba—have become regular guests at Long Beach Lodge Resort.
“This is a picture of us in front of Incinerator Rock, the weekend we got engaged, in January of ‘92.” says Kent.
“He didn’t tell me we were coming here so I really wasn’t dressed appropriately,” says his wife Monica.
Kent hands me the photo while the three of us enjoy a glass of sparkling wine in the Great Room to celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary. There they are, standing on Long Beach, glowing in the winter sunshine. The framed photo, which lives in Kent’s office, looks like a postcard sent from the past.
Of course Long Beach Lodge Resort was barely a thought in Tim Hackett’s mind at that point in time. It wouldn’t be built for another ten years. But Kent popped the question on Cox Bay, not far from where the lodge now sits.
“I’d just been transferred to Vancouver and I picked up a book called Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest,” says Kent. “And this was first in the book.”
Tofino’s become a special place for the two of them, one where they come to celebrate their love.
“We’ve been back for our first anniversary, our fifth, our 10th, our 25th, our 30th, and now this weekend. And we’ve been here in between as well,” says Monica.
They’re not sure of the exact number, but Monica and Kent figure they’ve stayed with us at the lodge upwards of ten times. They usually fly in on Pacific Coastal Air and then they’ll rent a car from the airport and, if they head into town for dinner and drinks, they’ll use Coastal Rides – our local rideshare service.
The two of them now live in The Pas, Manitoba, about a six-hour drive northeast of Winnipeg. And while The Pas is obviously very different from Tofino, some of the Westcoast’s appeal lies in the similarities.
“We live in a small community which is surrounded by beautiful lakes and forests, and in a part of the province of Manitoba where there are many First Nations communities,” they explained via email. “Tofino and surrounding area reminds us of “home”, but obviously with an entirely different vibe in terms of the ocean and the super relaxing vibe… There are so many activities to participate in. We love biking and hiking, and such absolutely beautiful, breathtaking views to enjoy…or space to just relax and unwind.”
When we met in the Great Room, Kent and Monica had been to Hot Springs Cove for the first time the day before. The trip was a gift for their 30th anniversary.
“It was awesome,” says Monica. “It was a bright and sunny day.”
Back home in The Pas, they like to ice fish in wintertime. So they’ve been for a few fishing trips around here as well. But mostly, Kent and Monica are here to relax and take in the vibe.
“We have so many good memories of Long Beach and Tofino, and one in particular is from 2005 when we brought our twin boys there, who were 10 years old at the time,” they said in their email. “They are obviously now much older, and it speaks volumes that one of our sons, and his now fiancée, actually visited on their own in the last couple of years. Generational love for a place and its people and experiences – it doesn’t get much better than that!”
And when we asked them about what drew them here in the first place, Kent didn’t hesitate with his answer.
“Oh yeah, Tofino’s still one of the best places to kiss in North America.”
Inspired by a love story like this? If you’re considering an elopement or wedding at Long Beach Lodge Resort, you can connect with our team through the contact form to begin planning your own Tofino moment.