We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Derec and I were introduced by my close friends Tommy and Jennifer. I've known them for ten years through campus ministry activities and church. I had stopped attending church shortly before Derec began attending because there was no one my age. At the end of November 2018, Tommy reached out and told me I really needed to meet Derec. Tommy invited me to one of his weekly college campus ministry nights to talk about my work, as they were collecting donations. I showed up and Tommy said, "I invited Derec but he couldn't make it tonight." At the end of the night Tommy invited me to go caroling that Friday evening at our local children's hospital. I had done this in the past and always had a good time, so I told him I would be there. Friday hits and Tommy texts me and tells me that Derec will be there with his two nieces. Our worlds finally aligned and we met for the first time on Friday, December 7, 2018. After caroling everyone grabbed a bite to eat so Derec and I chatted throughout dinner and shared upcoming Christmas plans. I noticed how easy it was to talk to him. After dinner we exchanged numbers and said that we should grab coffee sometime. We walked to our cars, gave each other hugs and said goodnight.

Let me back up for a moment. At the end of that first night (after meeting him), we started texting right away. There was an instant connection. On Saturday the texting continued and he invited me to come to church with him on Sunday. Unfortunately I had other plans to attend church with some friends as their baby was being dedicated. He then suggested we meet up later Sunday afternoon and go for a walk so that's exactly what we did. The next 5 days where a whirlwind. He invited me over Tuesday night and made dinner for me. We continued to hang out almost every night and he even introduced me to some of his friends. He then told me that he wanted to take me out on Friday (December 14th). I met him at his place and we started driving south. He took me to Thanksgiving Point to see the Christmas lights - it was beautiful! We walked around in the freezing cold, drank coffee and talked. We talked about our faith, values, what we were wanting and what we were not wanting. Again, the conversation was just easy. I recall thinking to myself, is this really happening and is Derec real?! After the lights he took me to dinner where we continued to have a great time. He then drove me to one of his favorite places that overlooks the valley - it was peaceful. We drove back to his place and watched a Christmas movie. We continued to hang out for the next few days before I flew to California for Christmas.

Derec suggested I have a girls night, as he needed to work late. So my friend Emilie and I decided to hang out. She asked what I wanted to do and I told her I would like to make dinner for Derec, but I also wanted to go ring shopping. Let me back up a bit, Derec and I started talking about marriage pretty early on in our relationship. He had asked what type of ring I wanted and I showed him a few pictures. He also told me that he would not take me ring shopping when that day finally came, as he wanted to be the one to pick out a ring for me. I thought this was very sweet and thoughtful however as I started telling some friends this they really encouraged me to go look at rings - even if he wouldn't come. They said that what I liked in pictures may not be what I actually liked on my finger. So knowing my anxious self, I panicked! Anyways, back to my girls night - I told Emilie I wanted to go look for rings and she thought it was a great idea! I called Derec on my way home from work that Friday afternoon and asked how his day was. He said it was good and he was just heading to another jobsite for the evening. He asked what Emilie and I had decided to do and I told him we were going shopping.

I called Emilie and she said she would swing by and pick me up. I facetimed my mom and sister just to say hi and then we were off. We went to one jewelry store and I tried on lots of rings - I was having a great time. Emilie then asked if we could go to another jeweler as she saw a ring online she wanted to see. We walked into Mike's Custom Jewelry and were greeted. I explained that we were just looking. One of the sales consultant tells me that they just got a ring in today that she thought I may like so she was going to go get it from the back. Time passes and I am trying on more rings. Then out of no where I hear, "Ashley.....Ashley." I turn around and out of the back of the jewelry store walks Derec with a bunch of beautiful roses. I say, "Oh my God. What is happening?" I also see one of his best friends who is filming the entire thing! He gets down on one knee and tells me how special I am, how he's a better person since knowing me and asks me to marry him. "Of course! Absolutely" I said. He puts the ring on my finger - it's absolutely stunning (he desiged it). We hug and kiss. I turn to Emilie and say, "Did you know about all of this?" "Of course" she said. I then turn around and there are our parents. I could not believe it! Oh, and he had facetimed my mom and sister so they could see it all go down. He then takes me to dinner - we walk in and I see friends and family at a large table cheering for us. This entire evening was so surreal. I was so caught off guard because earlier that week Derec had said some things that made me think he wouldn't be proposing for awhile.