On April 5th, 2019, Ashton and Mackenzie crossed paths for the first time. Among mutual friends at a Wendy’s in Lenexa, Ashton approached Mackenzie, offering her some chicken nuggets. She politely declined, dumbfounded that this handsome man picked her out of the crowd. They mingled and parted ways, still remaining friends. Three years later with Ashton being in the United States Navy, he returned home after deployment for a brief stay. Mackenzie, along with Ashton, had been invited to go to a party with mutual friends, unknowingly setting the course of their relationship. Upon meeting up with their group to go to said party, Ashton noticed Mackenzie first when entering the room. He nudged his friend Jackson, a mutual friend of the two, asking “Who’s that girl?”, to which Jack replied “That’s Mackenzie, you don’t remember her?”. Fast forward a bit, the two arrived at the party with everybody else. They all entered this small home in Leavenworth and were directed to the basement. The basement, filled to the brim with people packed like sardines, was loud and hectic. Ashton stood closely behind Mackenzie, and told her that if she needed anything or was bothered by anyone, that he would be right there. The two of them stayed close to each other the entire night. The next day, Ashton was returning to the Navy. Mackenzie made the bold decision to text Ashton a paragraph, making the first move. Three days later, the two were talking, getting to know each other, and spending hours upon hours on the phone. On March 27th, 2022, Ashton asked Mackenzie to be his girlfriend, merely 3 hours before going on a week long underway (for non-fluent military speakers, that means out at sea for a week with no contact other than emails). Emailing back and forth every chance they got, furthering their connection and growing their relationship. Mackenzie and Ashton were long distance for a total of almost nine months. Mackenzie flew Ashton out to her almost every other weekend, as much as they could, in addition to having him come home for a three week leave in June of 2022 to spend time together, for the first time as a couple. Ashton served his time well and got out of the US Navy in November of 2022. Mackenzie flew out to San Diego, where Ashton was stationed, to spend his last week in the United States Military with him and celebrate his accomplishment in addition to her birthday. The two came home, and immediately went back to their day to day life, working hard for their future together. On January 1st, 2023, New Year’s Day, Ashton prepared to ask his then girlfriend, to spend the rest of her life loving him. Beneath the twinkling lights of Mackenzie’s parents’ back deck, Ashton got down on one knee and asked Mackenzie to marry him, and the rest is history! We are SO blessed and excited to be sharing our wonderful day with you all! 10/27/2024 #GoingGriffith