The six-storey concrete condominium on 22 Avenue just off trendy 4th St. S.W. is the perfect location for the two, both in their late 30s. “We want to live life at walking speed, walk to the grocery, walk to the park, walk to work if we can, and that’s what we love most about Destiny, it’s in walking distance of everything,” Jay says.

“It’s also the only condominium in the area that is brand new, made of concrete and allows pets, it fits everything we were looking for,” Kristin adds.

The couple (plus their six-year-old, Shar Pei-German Shepherd mix, Sonah) have just moved into their two-bedroom, two-bath suite, and despite the chaos that moving brings along, have settled quite nicely into their dream home.

“It’s just a phenomenal spot, and the developer (Developments 2 Inc.) was highly recommended by everyone we spoke with,” Jay says.

Kristin says that the developer also “took pains” in ensuring that the building blended with the identity of the neighbourhood, the brick exterior and the glass patio panels give it a modern look without looking out of place in this older community of mature trees, heritage homes, fashionable restaurants and unique shops.

“We fell in love with it immediately, although we did do our due diligence and canvassed the other condos that were available in the area, this was the only one that met all our needs,” she says.

Mission is also a sentimental choice for the couple, as it was at the Starbucks on 4 Street and 24 Avenue that they first met, a chance glance that led to wedded bliss. They share a passion for communication, getting a particular message across to an audience, and they both love meeting people and making friends.

Jay was in IT before he discovered his true calling — helping the less fortunate in the world by founding Christmas Future (http://www.christmasfuture.org), a non-profit organization which he says “refocuses the trillions we spend during Christmas time into helping poorer people worldwide.” He was actually picked as one of Calgary’s Top 40 under 40 personalities, Kristin says proudly.

Kristin has the same passion for philanthropy, and is with Hospice Calgary’s marketing and fundraising arm (http://www.hospicecalgary.com). She’s done quite a bit of marketing and communications in her career, but she says she finds her fulfillment in “raising the profile” of this medical institution. “For both Jay and I, it is getting people to connect with the stories you tell and to form a relationship with those who were affected by these stories that remains important in our lives.”

Neither Jay nor Kristin thinks so, but their 820-square-foot unit is already well underway to becoming a very cozy home. “There’s still a lot to do, a lot of stuff is still in boxes,” Jay says. But the unit is already starting to reflect their tastes and they hope to build on it by starting an art collection.

The 10-foot ceilings through most parts of the unit makes it ideal to display even big art pieces, and the cork flooring and full height mosaic backsplash in the kitchen coupled with the granite countertops (all standard specifications) already go a long way in establishing a sophisticated identity for the home.

“The underground parking and the rooftop patio are definite pluses,” Jay says.

Destiny’s Natalie Holroyd says those two particular features are among the big selling features of this brand new condominium. “Mission has also capped further developments to under four storeys, we are the last building to be built here with six storeys, so those on the higher floors are guaranteed an unobstructed view of the surroundings,” she says.

“Because we have no frivolous shared amenities, we can virtually guarantee low condo fees,” she adds.

There are only 10 units left, mostly in the higher floors, in this 48-unit building. With one-bedroom suites starting at $266,900 plus GST, it is undoubtedly one of the best bargains around. “Traffic has certainly picked up in the last few weeks, and we’re pretty sure to sell out in no time.”

For Jay and Kristin, Destiny certainly has been kind to them. CL

For more information on Destiny, visit www. destinyliving.ca