The Star
Justine Owen and Dele Garber first bumped into each other at a New Year’s Eve party in 2018 — literally — while at a club. Justine’s first thought? “This guy is super-cute.” She also loved his bowtie, which was made from a traditional Nigerian fabric to reflect his heritage.
After a few songs, Garber made Owen an alluring offer: “Why don’t you come dance with me?” The two would ring in the new year with a kiss — and end up exchanging numbers.
Garber, a program consultant with the government, texted her the next day, and the two planned a dinner date in Scarborough. “It was one of the coldest days of the year,” Owen remembers. “I think it was like -33. The news told us, ‘Stay inside, nobody go outside.’ But we went out.” They drove around for hours, talking, laughing, and telling stories. It was the start of a string of fun-packed dates for the pair, who describe themselves as the perennial life of the party: concerts, paint nights, family gatherings, and more..
