On the table in Caydance’s San Francisco studio were platters of quiche Lorraine and pate de campagne and a glass bowl filled with salade Nicoise. On a bread board crafted in the Russian River was a baguette warm from the oven. The La Rochere wine glasses -- that Griff bought that very morning in Rockridge -- shimmered in the window light of evening sunset on San Francisco Bay. Into her glass, Caydance poured Pino Grigio from the Napa Valley. Into Griff’s glass, he poured Belgium beer.

“In Edmonton, when they were children, Phoebe and Casey-Marcel St. Pierre skated together at the same rink,” Griff began. "As is my mom, his mom is a figure skater. Her dream was that Casey-Marcel would follow in her footsteps. But time passed, and soon St. Pierre was a High School hockey star. Meanwhile, Phoebe was skating in the Juniors competitions. Other than arguments over weekend practice ice time and who dented the ice the most, they barely talked.“

Griff poured more Belgium beer into his wine glass. “The story moves to the Spring of 1986 when they were both graduating seniors at different high schools. Edmonton students were skipping school during the 1986 Stanley Cup Playoff series between Edmonton and Calgary. On April, 22, The Saint, as he was now known in the local newspapers, bused to Calgary with his high school team. In the Fall, he would be skating for the University of Calgary Dinos. Meanwhile, Phoebe had also been accepted by the University of Calgary. On April 22, with her parents, she drove down to Calgary. Neither skater was aware of the other’s plans -- either for that very day or for September.

"So there they were, sitting on the Edmonton side -- not too far from each other, but it wasn't until after the second period -- when Calgary led 2-1 -- that St. Pierre got up to get a beer, and on his way, he saw Phoebe. As you may not know alcohol consumption in Alberta is permitted at age 18. Phoebe was wearing a blue tee shirt and washed blue jeans."