Things started out a little interesting for Matt and Ashley. They met working in San Diego at their job, SEACAMP, where they quickly became friends, bonding over their love of the ocean and beach volleyball. There may have been some flirting and some kiss attempts by someone during a beach camping trip... But finally, on a fateful night at Karaoke, a Blink 182 song came on. Ashley and Matt killed it together on stage, and they have been singing together ever since.

It was Ashley's sister Elise's 30th birthday, so Ashley and Matt took a flight back to California to celebrate. Leading up to this point, all Ashley had ever asked for on that special day was for there to be lots of twinkle lights, to be on the water, and for her family to be near. So on Elise 's birthday, Matt schemed with her sister to share her big day in order to surprise Ashley. Matt planned it so that they would be pulled away to see the sunset "because Elise wanted to", while he also had Ashley's brother, Johnny, string up the old surf shack at WindandSea beach with lights. Ashley thought she was just playing along with her sister's birthday wishes while they made their way to the beach for sunset. Walking down to the shack, Ashley commented on how cute the twinkle lights were and wondered if they were always there...she kept trying to creep away from the shack to get closer to the water...but Matt pulled her back. He finally pulled out the ring and asked her to marry him. Under her twinkle lights, on the ocean, and with her family, like she had always hoped with the love of her life.

March 2, 2019: When it all started September 2019: We moved into Ashley's little apartment March 2019: The pandemic showed us if we had what it took to make it as a couple April 2020: We grew our family by two with our kitties, Charlie and Frank September 2020: Bye San Diego! Here we come, Matt's parent's basement in OH July 2021: Let's pack up again! Back to the coast, but in Charleston, SC August 2021: The start of our teaching careers together, just across the hallway! *December 17, 2022: We get to celebrate with all of you!*