Johan was born July 25, 1968 in the tomato capital of the world, Leamington. He grew up in the neighbouring town of Kingsville, a sleepy little town of 5,000. His mother, a Canadian, is a living example of compassion, honesty and integrity. Sharing the same name, his father from Belgium is the example of commitment, drive & entrepreneurship

Growing up in a self-sufficient family and a family furniture business, meant Johan was exposed to everything from raising animals and growing vegetables, to delivering furniture and building construction.

Whether work, school, or play Johan also had a very inquisitive mind that was always searching for answers. After college, Johan's inquisitive mind was a factor in him shutting down the entire computer backup centre for one of the major canadian banks.

On the other hand, that inquisitive mind also led Johan to surf with a keyboard as a new way to find romance. The world wide web only led Johan to find what already existed all along in his own back yard-- Sylvia!

Johan and Sylvia, both being students at Fanshawe College, probably sat in the same chair, and the same desk, and they probably even walked the same footsteps in the same hallways a thousand times, only to discover each other using two keyboards and their own little corner of cyberspace. Therefore, as we prepare for our future, it is only fitting then that we leave these digital footprints behind.

Sylvia Margarete Ingeborg Nolte

By Johan:

Sylvia was born February 26, 1972 in Toronto, Ontario to german parents, Brigitte and Frank. They had only lived in Canada for a few years before Sylvia was born. Immediately they fell in love with the country, and Sylvia was here to stay.

Sylvia was always known for her responsibility. Dependable and trustworthy and caring, she is always there for her friends and family. They say the best way to know someone's character, is to know their friends. No where is this truer than with Sylvia. Never have I seen someone with so many connections to so many really good and decent friends.

She has bravery, faith and determination that I can only admire. Leaving a job behind, and without savings or security, she moved to a new town to study one of the heaviest courses there was -- Respiratory Therapy. She even took on a night and summer job to support her studies.

In short, to me Sylvia represents everything that is good and decent in this world. If everyone had a little more Sylvia in them, this world would be such a wonderful place. Sylvia has become my best friend, my hero, my role model, my inspiration, my refuge, my playmate, and the best part of my life.