IT’S FINALLY HAPPENING!!!

2005 Portsmouth At the Naval Hospital we both worked in the ER, but different shifts, but got the chance to hang out a few times. In my mind she was the “Great White Buffalo.” Yes I had a “crush” on her, only to recently find out that I was “not” someone she would date, but things change. Dec 2018 Virginia Beach I was in Yuma, AZ and didn’t know anyone that well. I decided go to Norfolk & see some friends. What I didn’t know is that this trip would change my life forever. I was in my hotel & thought, why not get on Tinder? As I sat there swiping away, unaware that Ashley was doing the same thing. She had been on Tinder less than a day when she came across me & swiped left…then found me on IG. Messages of how it started: Ashley: Dude! How have you been?! J: Good. How bout U? How u find me? Ashley: I’ve been good! And funny story. So my best friend convinced me to sign up for Tinder last night, and as I’m going through (swiping the wrong way more than once because I’m an idiot), I came across your tinder and once I realized it was you I was like oh, that would be weird if I would’ve swiped right and then almost did not paying attention. But caught it haha. And figured I’d say hI this way instead :) J: BAHAHA. I saw you too. Swiped right to get your attention. Glad you reached out. Pretty funny though. In town for a few nights. Staying downtown. Gonna go out with some friends. Your welcome to join if it is not too weird. Ashley: That’s hilarious! I plan on going out somewhere to watch the football game tonight. I’d love to say to watch Oklahoma beat Alabama but I’m more of a realist. And it would never be weird! Downtown Norfolk? J: Yeah. Yeah I don’t think Oklahoma will beat Alabama though. Haha Ashley: Where are you guys planning on going out? I’ll also have my friend Erica with me. J: Bring her along. I think start in the hotel. Then Portsmouth. I used to live there, then Downtown. Ashley: Well let me know here is my number. We spent the next few days together until I flew back to Yuma. Mar 2019 Virginia Beach We talked most every day until I found out that I was going on a short deployment out of Norfolk & would be there before we left. It gave us that opportunity to spend some time together. After 3 months, I got back & took a little extra time off to stay with her. June 2019 Custer It was time for Ashley to meet the family. We planned for her to fly to Nebraska, where I could pick her up. She got to the Airport early but by the time she got to the attendant she had missed the cut-off time. She called me & we decided, just get to Denver & I’ll come get you. We made it happen. Evidently, I failed to mention that almost my entire family would be there. SURPRISE! Sept 2019 Yuma After South Dakota things got serious, she was going to move out to Arizona. It was amazing at first, but the universe had other plans, COVID happened. It was tough for everyone, but in a new relationship & just moving in together gave us the experience of living together for about 3 years. After getting through COVID lockdown, coming out better than I could have imagined. I knew it was time to start planning my proposal. Dec 2020 Yuma Over the next year we grew closer together. We went ring shopping & she picked out a few she liked. One weekend I picked up Jordan & Taylor & asked if they were ok with me asking Ashley to marry me. Witty Jordan said, “Dad, we knew in South Dakota that y’all would get married” & Taylor said, “Yeah Dad!”. For New Years I had my Mom, Dan & the girls in Yuma & proposed. Needless to say she was surprised & obviously she said Yes! Mar 2022-Now After a year apart while I was in Spain, I came to Virginia. It’s been amazing and full of change. Guinness got a little brother, Hooligan. Ashley is now working at Virginia Beach Oncology & I am FINALLY retiring from the Navy. With so many changes coming to the next chapter of our lives, we are so glad that you could that you could be apart of our special day.