Sometimes, love happens in the most random ways that we just would never have seen coming. Today, we’re super excited as we celebrate the sweet love story of Aramide and Tomi which all began with one unexpected phone call.
Aramide had received a random call from an old friend whom she hadn’t spoken to in a while, and this friend was on his matchmaker hat. Well, you can already tell what came out of it, as here we are, gushing over their beautiful pre-wedding photos. We’re absolutely rooting for the lovebirds as we take in all the feels of their photos and love story as Aramide shares it. Their pre-wedding shoot exudes so much happiness and good vibes, we can’t help but love it!
Enjoy their pre-wedding photos and love story below.
How We Met
By the Bride, Aramide
Love in our case came through an unexpected phone call. Here I was, minding my business during the lockdown and imagining what outside would look like again. An ex-colleague-turned-friend calls me out of the blue. “Hey Mide, you still single?” And I’m like “yeah, any better for your girl?”
He laughs and says, “I sent your number to this amazing guy I’ve known for like forever. Be nice, Mide.” Our first call was for an hour and we just clicked like two old friends. Then the conversations became not just frequent but fun. We knew we had to meet each other the first opportunity we got.
As fate would have it, the lockdown was eased and we booked a restaurant in GRA. The first day I saw Tomi, I was like, “this brother ain’t looking bad.” After that first meeting, we always found reasons to always be together. 10 months later, Tomi asked me to be his forever and of course, I said yes and our love story continues!
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/flowers-in-front-of-the-montreal-skyline.jpg?id=59911676&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=132%2C0%2C132%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>Easter weekend is just around the corner — and if you've been holding off on <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/mapaq-chocolate-recall-montreal" target="_blank">chocolate</a> (or wine) since Lent, the finish line is in sight. But before you dive into holiday mode, keep in mind that Easter also brings closures and schedule changes across Montreal.</p><p>Whether you're planning a Good Friday (April 18) hangout or trying to squeeze in errands on Easter Monday (April 21), it's worth knowing what's open, closed, or operating on reduced hours throughout the weekend.</p><p>Good Friday is a <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/quebec-stat-holidays-2025-calendar" target="_blank">statutory holiday in every province and territory except Quebec</a>. Here, employers are only required to give either Good Friday or Easter Monday off — not both. So depending on your workplace, you could be off Friday, Monday, or neither.</p><p>From grocery stores and liquor outlets to public transit, government services, and attractions, here's what you need to know about what's open and closed in the city from April 18 and 21 — including the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/saq" target="_blank">SAQ</a>, Maxi, IGA, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/societe-de-transport-de-montreal" target="_blank">the STM</a>, and more.</p><h3>Grocery stores and markets</h3><br/><p><strong>Grocery stores:</strong></p><ul><li>Metro: Stores will be open on Good Friday and Easter Monday (regular hours) but only the Metro Plus De La Montagne will be open on Easter Sunday.</li><li><span></span>Super C: Stores will be open on Good Friday and Easter Monday (regular hours), however none will be open on Easter Sunday.</li><li>Aisle 24: All locations of this cashierless grocery chain are open 24/7, all year round. You'll just need to download the app and create a profile in order to unlock the door.</li><li>IGA: IGA did not respond to MTL Blog's request for information on the holiday hours and their websites do not have holiday hours posted as of the time of publishing. You may want to call your local store to confirm their hours before heading out.</li><li>Maxi: All Maxi stores in Montreal will maintain regular hours on Friday and Monday, but will be closed on Sunday.</li><li>Walmart: All Walmart stores in Montreal will maintain regular hours on Friday and Monday, but will be closed on Sunday.</li></ul><p><strong>Markets: </strong>All of Montreal's public markets — including Atwater, Jean-Talon, and Maisonneuve — will be open throughout the Easter long weekend, with slightly reduced hours on Sunday. You can find full schedules on the <a href="https://www.marchespublics-mtl.com/" target="_blank">Marchés publics de Montréal website</a>.</p><h3>Pharmacies</h3><br/><p><strong>Pharmacies: </strong>Most major pharmacies (Jean Coutu, Pharmaprix, Uniprix, etc.) will be open during their regular hours all weekend.<br/><br/></p><p><strong>Dépanneurs: </strong>Convenience stores and 24-hour dépanneurs remain open throughout the weekend, depending on the owner.</p><h3>SAQ</h3><br><p><strong>SAQ:</strong> If you're planning to pick up a bottle for your Easter weekend celebration you've got a few days to work with — but some locations will be closed depending on the day and store type.</p> <ul> <li> Good Friday (April 18) & Saturday (April 19):<br/> All SAQ locations will be open as usual.</li> <li> Easter Sunday (April 20): <ul> <li> SAQ Express stores will be open.</li> <li> Most SAQ stores (formerly “SAQ Classique”) will also be open.</li> <li> SAQ Sélection locations will mostly be closed.</li> <li> SAQ Dépôt stores will be closed.</li> </ul> </li> <li> Easter Monday (April 21):<br/> Most SAQ stores will be open, except for those inside enclosed malls that don't have exterior access.</li> </ul> <p>To check exact hours for your local branch, visit the "Branches" section on <a href="https://www.saq.com/en/store?srsltid=AfmBOor0ZWcR9zyQEhWzzzE2GYWxfRl_PuxpFPh2Ttc2j1CzssToy4CP" target="_blank">SAQ.com</a>.</p><p><strong>SQDC: </strong>All SQDC stores in Montreal will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.</p><h3>Shopping malls</h3><br><p>In Quebec, Easter Sunday is considered an official retail closing day, meaning most stores — including major shopping malls — must close by law. However, they're open on Good Friday, Saturday, and Easter Monday.</p><p>Here's a quick look at Montreal-area malls that will be closed on Easter Sunday (April 20) but open the rest of the weekend:</p> <ul> <li> CF Fairview Pointe Claire</li> <li> Carrefour Laval</li> <li> Centre Rockland</li> <li> Carrefour Angrignon</li> <li> Plaza Côte-des-Neiges</li> <li> Galeries d'Anjou</li> <li> Centre Eaton de Montréal</li></ul><h3>Services</h3><br><p><strong>Garbage collection:</strong> Regular collection schedules (garbage, recycling, compost) will continue across Montreal this weekend. For more info about your specific borough, you can visit <a href="http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/collectes" target="_blank">ville.montreal.qc.ca/collectes</a>.<span></span></p><p><span></span><strong>Canada Post:</strong> Canada Post is closed on national, provincial and territorial <a href="https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/kb/sending/general-information/find-out-operating-hours-on-holidays" target="_blank">holidays</a>. That means there is no collection or delivery of mail happening on Good Friday or Easter Monday, as they are both observed at the federal level. However, post offices operated by private businesses may be open if their host businesses are.</p><p><strong>Banks:</strong> All banks are closed on Good Friday. Some may be open on Easter Monday, despite it being a national holiday — it's best to call your local branch to make sure before heading out.</p><p><strong>Courts: </strong>The municipal court is closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday, and "only cases of persons in custody will be processed in court during this period at the building on 775 Rue Gosford," according to the <a href="https://montreal.ca/en/articles/open-or-closed-holiday-schedule-offices-facilities-and-services-30540" target="_blank">City of Montreal website</a>.</p><p>If you need to get in touch with the City over the long weekend, you can still <a href="https://montreal.ca/en/contact-city" target="_blank">call 311</a> but hours will be reduced from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Good Friday and Easter Monday.</p><h3>Transportation</h3><br><p><strong>STM: </strong>Good Friday and Easter Monday are recognized holidays by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), so both bus and metro service will follow a holiday schedule. Be sure to check your specific route before heading out.</p><p><strong>Exo: </strong>Exo will also be adjusting its schedules for the long weekend. Regular paratransit schedules are automatically cancelled on legal holidays. Full details are available on the <a href="https://exo.quebec/en/customer-service/statutory-holiday-schedules" target="_blank">Exo website</a>.</p><h3>Things to do</h3><br/><p><strong>Espace pour la Vie museums:</strong> All five sites — the Biodome, Biosphere, Insectarium, Planetarium, and Botanical Garden — will be open all Easter weekend but closed on Monday.</p> <ul> <li> Good Friday, April 18:<br/> All locations open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except the Planetarium, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.</li> <li> Saturday, April 19:<br/> Same hours as Friday — all museums open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Planetarium open until 8:15 p.m.</li> <li> Easter Sunday, April 20:<br/> All sites open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the Planetarium closing a bit earlier at 5 p.m.</li></ul><div><strong>Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: </strong>The museum is open all weekend, including Friday and Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.</div><p><strong>Cinemas: </strong>Most movie theatres in Montreal — including all Cineplex theatres, Cinema du Parc, Cinéma Moderne Ciné-Starz, and Cinéma Starcité— are open all weekend.</p><p><strong>City-run </strong><strong>sports and cultural centres:</strong> Activities will have hours that vary by borough — call ahead or check your local borough site.</p><p><strong>Libraries:</strong> <span style="">Many public libraries in Montreal will be closed on Good Friday (April 18), Easter Sunday (April 20), and Easter Monday (April 21).</span> <span style="">Some branches may have modified hours on Saturday (April 19).</span> Since schedules can vary by borough, it's advisable to <a href="https://montreal.ca/en/places?mtl_content.lieux.installation.code=BIBL" target="_blank">check with your local library</a> for specific hours.</p><p><strong>Federal election early voting: </strong>Advance voting for the 2025 federal election kicks off this Easter weekend, running from Friday to Tuesday. Polling stations will remain open throughout the long weekend, including on statutory holidays. To find your local advance poll, confirm your registration, and get all the key info you need before heading out, check out <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/election-canada-montreal-voting" target="_blank">our full federal election guide here</a>.</p><div></div></br></br></br></br><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p>
<p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p><p><br/></p>
