Ashley says- Mallarie and I met in our 8th grade history class. We were introduced by a mutual friend when we were assigned a group project. Upon introduction, Mallarie flashed her gorgeous smile, didn't say a word to me, but stared and kept smiling at me non stop for the next 30 min! I started to get frustrated because when I tried to get her to talk to me she just smiled and stared. I thought maybe she was laughing at me, maybe I had food in my teeth or lipstick on my chin so I kept asking her, "What?". She never said one word, but the sparkle in her eyes was magnetic and her smile warm and contagious. She was so radiant and beaming. I knew there was something special about her and I had to get to know her! Mallarie says- She walked into our 8th grade history class with baggy, navy blue nylon pants, gray Rocket Dog sandals, and long brown hair. She had this bright aura all around her and seemingly glided to her desk, which was across the room from mine. I turned to my best friend, Vanessa, and asked "who is that?". She explained that she had known Ashley her whole life, that they grew up in the same neighborhood. I asked Vanessa to invite her over to join our group. Once we were introduced, I couldn't find my words, all I could do was smile at her. I knew it was making her uncomfortable, but she kept flashing her big brown eyes at me, which made me smile more, and continued to suck all the words from my head. There was something about her, I couldn't quite figure out what it was, but I knew I had to learn everything I could about her. Little did I know how much I would learn, and how magical the journey would be...

Ash says: It's true, Mallarie may have proposed to me two times before, but this story is about the third time. To celebrate the 13th anniversary of our first kiss, Mallarie planned an extravagant scavenger hunt filled with moments from the years we've had together. A characature done by a friend, to remind us of our first big trip together in Florida, where we had our first characature done. Watching the sunset on the rooftop with a glass of wine, like the sunrise we watched in Kauai. A handmade piñata, like the ones we used to make for many celebrations. Visiting the first restaurant we ate at when we moved to Portland, Por Que No?. All of the clues led us to Mount Tabor, where we hiked up to a beautiful spot overlooking the water reservoirs and the beautiful city. Surrounded by tall majestic trees Mal began to play The Beach Boys "God Only Knows", when she got down on one knee and asked me to marry her! I couldn't believe it and it took me a moment before I could say YES! Mallarie says: Yes, I did ask her to marry me a few times and she said "no", but hey, we were super young and definitely not ready for it. I always teased her and said that she would have to be the one to propose to me, but as soon as "gay marriage" became legal, I had to give it another shot. When I got down on one knee at the top of Mount Tabor and asked her again "Will you marry me?", there was a look of absolute shock on her face and I thought, "oh crap! I'm going to get another no!", but luckily after a few moments she said "Hey, I'm supposed to propose to you, but YES!" Phew, that was close! But then on November 4th, she surprised the hell out out me and proposed to me in a vacant apartment filled with red roses and candles! We both learned that day that I don't do well with surprises, she basically had to convince and drag me there, but what an incredible sight! She worked some serious magic to pull it all off and it blew me away!

We have been together for many years, through thick and thin, and want to kick off this next chapter in our lives with a celebration of where we come from and where we are going. We are so excited to share this special day with you! See you in SLC!