The stars aligned for Miki Otsuka and Cameron Scholes on July 7, 1997, in a chance meeting at a record store in Toronto.

In modern Japan, the seventh day of the seventh month brings Tanabata, the star festival celebrating the once-a-year meeting of the legendary weaving princess Orihime (Vega) and the cowherd Hikoboshi (Altair).

But for Miki and Cameron, it marked the beginning of a long and happy time together.