This Fort Smith couple fell in love over flowers. The community just threw them a wedding
Eight years ago, on a warm morning in Fort Smith, N.W.T., Mark Moberly was out getting milk at the grocery store when he saw Russell Salfi watering flowers outside.
Salfi said "good morning" and Moberly waved and walked inside, feeling "shy."
But Moberly says that look was the beginning of something special.
"When he looked at me, I knew something happened right there," Moberly said.
The two became best friends, fell in love and recently got married in Fort Smith on March 23, thanks to help from the community who organized their wedding.
A community celebration
Though the pair have been together for eight years, Moberly said it was only recently when Salfi surprised him by popping the question one afternoon.
Salfi said although the two have been in love a long time, last summer's wildfire evacuations put it in perspective for him about how much Moberly meant to him.
"That's when I really thought about it," Salfi said. "I finally had enough courage to do it. Game on, let's do it."
"Mark's always been there. He's always been my best friend," he added. "I'll do anything for him. It's my life and I'm proud of it. I'm proud of our marriage and our love."
Moberly said yes, and the two started planning their Fort Smith wedding.
What was pictured to be a simple wedding turned out to be a community-wide event.
Connie Benwell, who works for Salt River First Nation, approached Salfi and Moberly about hosting their wedding as part of an 2SLGBTQ+ celebration dinner.
From there, Benwell took over most of the planning. At the wedding, there was dancing, food and even a speech from the mayor.
Mark Moberly, left, and Russell Salfi cut into their wedding cake. The wedding was organized by the community during 2SLGBTQ+ celebrations. (Mark Moberly/Facebook)
"There are a lot of couples out there who want to live a normal life and be happy with their partner of choice and not worry what people think," Benwell said.
Along with Salt River First Nation, the Métis Nation in Fort Smith also pitched in for the wedding, which was attended by about 50 people.
Salfi said he was surprised by that level of support from people in the community.
"I was kind of scared at first. The community really stood up for us. Now I'm not scared at all," Salfi said.
Salfi said he believes the pair are among the first same-sex couples to get married in the community.
"If Mark and I are strong enough to do this, anyone can," Salfi said.
"Our love carries us through," Moberly added.
For Moberly, the highlight of his wedding day was simple.
"When I looked at him and gave him his ring ... I never thought I'd ever see so much love in his eyes," Moberly said.
"After that, we kissed and we sealed it right there, in front of everybody."
The two had gold and white beaded wedding bands, made by Moberly's cousin.
With the wedding now behind them, what are the couple's plans for a honeymoon?
"Go to Mark's house and sleep for the next week or two and hide from everybody," Salfi said.
