Ashley’s best friend (Maddy) played a “matchmaker” roll in introducing us when Ashley and Maddy were both living in Chattanooga and Justin was in Athens. Maddy had become friends with Justin when they were both students at UGA, and was sure we would make a great couple. Although Ashley was initially skeptical, and even told Maddy at one point that she was not interested, Maddy was persistent and Ashley reluctantly agreed to meet Justin. For his part, Justin was not entirely optimistic but Maddy also convinced him to come to Chattanooga to "get out of Athens for the weekend." As we spent time together that weekend, we both realized that Maddy may have been on to something. We talked constantly, built a connection, and eventually began dating!

Towards the beginning of the relationship, we had our first date at Ruby Falls in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, which is a beautiful underground waterfall. On July 17th, 2021, in front of those same falls, Justin asked Ashley to marry him, and she said yes! Afterwards, we celebrated with close friends and family in Chattanooga, Tennessee.