We both swiped right. Justin thought Ashley was really cute and loved her sense of adventure and passion for world travel. Ashley was drawn to his warm smile—and the fact that he seemed to share her love for travel… and great coffee. Our first date was on a hot July evening in Washington, DC. We met for drinks at a restaurant called Mercy Me and ended up talking for hours on the patio. Naturally, the night ended early—because, in true DC fashion, the bugs came out after dark… and Justin is not a fan. We were excited. It felt like something special was possible, and we both wanted to explore that connection. At first glance, we came from completely different worlds, but as we got to know each other, we realized how much we had in common. Despite growing up on opposite coasts (Ashley in Oregon and California and Justin on Long Island, New York), our paths had been unknowingly overlapping for years. We both moved to Boston for college—Ashley to Tufts, and Justin to Northeastern. After college, we were both in New York at the same time, while also traveling constantly for work. Ashley was producing global news stories while Justin zigzagged across the country as a bank examiner. Eventually, we both landed in DC. And as we always say: we met at exactly the right time—when we were both ready to build something meaningful and lasting. The journey wasn’t always straightforward, but it became clear that we were what each other had been looking for. What we’ve found together is partnership, shared values, belly laughter, goofiness, front-row concert tickets, not-front-row seats at comedy shows, stability, adventure, new passport stamps, water activities (sometimes forced on Justin's side), and a deep commitment to push each other and evolve together. Everyone knew a proposal was coming—except Ashley. Justin back-channeled, took secret flights, crafted cover stories, and with the blessing of her family, planned an epic surprise. During a trip to Japan, with the bamboo forest in Kyoto as the backdrop, Justin asked Ashley to marry him. Shortly after that, we welcomed our first “child”—a red floof named Mango Apple Semler Hamilton (also known as Mash, Mapple, Mango Bango, Mangito Bangito, and Gogo). When envisioning our wedding, we thought about the places that mean the most to us. We kept coming back to the American Southwest—its breathtaking red rock landscapes, vibrant energy, and peaceful spirit. Sedona felt like the perfect place to celebrate our love with the people closest to us. We can't wait to celebrate with you!