I bet you are assuming we met on a dating app, like most people these days. Nope! We met the old fashioned way thanks to many amazing friends and family members. The story began on a spooky Halloween night, when Ashley’s friend invited her to a party with some pretty fun people she had never met before. Meanwhile, Ed was in DC planning to move back to Boston to be with all of these friends Ashley had just hung out with. The plan to set the two of them up was just starting to brew. Fast forward to the next September, Ashley was invited to hang out with everyone again at Ed’s surprise 30th birthday party. Ashley is a social person, so going to someone’s birthday she had never met before sounded like a normal and great Saturday night. Little did she know it was a setup! Ed was told that the blonde teacher was there so he came over to chat. Though they enjoyed FINALLY meeting each other, they went their separate ways after the party. Until... Several months later these same friends hosted a Christmas party so Ashley and Ed had a chance to reconnect. The timing was right and several days after the party, the two went on their first date at Eastern Standard (RIP!). What was supposed to be just a drink turned into hours of talking while enjoying multiple drinks and apps. The two connected over their love of traveling, animals, family, and delicious food and drinks!

While on vacation in Turks and Caicos, Ashley and Ed arrived at an outdoor restaurant for dinner. As they were being brought to their table, Ashley found herself distracted by the hanging lanterns, lush greens, and fairy lights that decorated the space. So much so that she didn’t notice that Ed hung back and asked the hostess to follow them and take pictures. The two were led along a long path though the restaurant which suddenly ended and turned into the beach. A table was set for two with beautiful candles and flowers decorating it. Ashley began to feel nervous, because this was certainly special! And that was when Ed dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him. Of course she said yes! The diamond Ashley has on her ring is a special family heirloom given to her by her Nana and once belonged to her mother, Ashley’s great-grandma. The diamond found its way into the family during the Depression, and had been used by the town jeweler as payment to Ashley’s great-grandfather for servicing a car. With Nana’s blessing, Ashley and Ed designed a new ring using the precious diamond. Nana’s reaction to their proposal was their favorite. She jumped out of her chair and spilled some of her cocktail in excitement, at 97 years old!