This isn't a crazy, love at first site story, but we did fall in love. We both work for the same company out of Martinsburg, WV. Ashley had just recently moved there from the office in Saratoga Springs, NY. Ashley didn't really know anyone and a few ladies from work spent weeks pushing her to talk to a cute guy in a different department. She never did and months went by. Their story really began with some encouragement from a few co-workers during a night out. Texts were exchanged, phone numbers passed around and then Ashley left for NY with hopes to return to a potential date....and she did. The night after her return from the holidays in NY, they enjoyed their first date. The next day was a special one, as it was Joel's birthday. Ashley gifted him with a small bag of NY coffee. Joel knew Ashley was the one!

Our very first trip together was only a few weeks after we started dating, but we wanted a weekend away. We choose Asheville, NC which became a special place for us. We spent the weekend hiking, trying new local beers and eating a ton of good food. Fast forward a year and a half and we were planning our second trip. As always Ashley had it filled with new breweries, shops and restaurants. Joel was only focused on one thing, the ring in his pocket. Ashley had no idea, she just loved the area and was excited to have returned! The day didn't start out perfect. We found a great hike in the area, but it was raining a bit. During the hike Joel felt anxious as he wanted the moment to be the best. We stopped a few times for some pictures, but the trek down the mountain began so we could beat a rain storm. We decided to stop one more time because the clouds began to break and the sun was coming through. Joel's decision, he must have known this was the moment. As he sat on the edge of a rock looking out at the sun, Ashley grabbed a snack thinking nothing odd of the situation. Until she got closer and Joel turned around and popped the question. YES! was the answer she gave, some granola bar might have come out due to the excitement. We hiked down the mountain and celebrated that day tasting local cider and telling all of our friends and family. Some might say they knew it was going to happen that weekend. It quickly became a weekend to remember.