Mike and Ashley met the old fashioned way...online! On September 2nd 2020, after a few days of chatting on Hinge, Mike and Ashley went on their first date to get drinks at Bosscat Kitchen. Immediately, Mike thought Ashley was incredibly special. She was so kind - listening to all of his stories no matter how long, she was thoughtful - providing depth and insight to their conversation, she was full of life - telling her own stories of the places she's been and about the people she loves, and most importantly she laughed at all his jokes in a way that was hard to call anything but genuine. Ashley's first impression was that Mike was extreme in every aspect - she thought he was ridiculously tall, knew way too much about the one sport she didn't care for (basketball), and had an encyclopedic knowledge of the Taco Bell menu. Even though she was convinced they had nothing in common, she felt comfortable, loved talking to him, and thought there was potential for something real. They spent hours talking until the waiter, kindly, let them know they were closed. They continued to stay connected and along the way learned that they were about to become neighbors. Mike was over the moon that "Neighbor Girl" was days away from moving 200 steps from him, but Ashley wasn't too keen to know that the guy she just met online knew exactly where she lived. Mike continued to pursue Ashley, and Ashley continued to get to know Mike as a friend. Days turned to months as the two got closer and filled their time together with Ted Lasso and Thai food. Finally, after 8 months of friendship (and several times of asking) - they had a second date! Their second date was filled with laughter, the "we're not really strangers" card game, and Mike singing an unaccompanied version of his favorite song (it wasn't good, but it had soul). After that, their friendship had blossomed into a relationship - and they were inseparable from then on.

Once Ashley and Mike knew that they were Meant To Be, Ashley tried to figure out when Mike would propose. Ashley grew suspicious that Mike would pop the question soon, when he, unprompted, knew exactly when Earth Day was and when she received several odd questions about her upcoming optometry appointment that was, unbeknownst to her, on Earth Day. In actuality, Mike started planning for the proposal many months earlier. Mike redesigned his grandmother's diamond ring to pass down a family heirloom. When the ring was done, Mike met with Mr. and Mrs. Brewer to ask for their blessing and followed up with FaceTimes with Ashley's brothers and sisters-in-law. After uttering the phrase "everyone knows when Earth Day is" more than he ever thought possible, Mike was nervous, excited, and relieved on the day of the proposal. The night before the proposal, Mike, in his classic nonchalant style, suggested brunch - Ashley had no idea the place had been picked weeks earlier. They went to AbhA in Laguna Beach and then went to play MarioKart and enjoy drinks at the speakeasy next door – everything was going according to plan. The couple then zigzagged across Laguna Beach killing time before making their way to Top of the World. They walked up the dirt path, Ashley in heels for reasons unknown to her, and came to the exact spot where Mike planned to propose only to find another family there taking photos. Once they left, Mike and Ashley swooped in and after professing his love for her and dreams of a lifetime together, Mike got down on one knee and asked the question! Ashley, of course, said YES! Ashley thought the day's surprises were over, but there was a surprise engagement party to get to! Mike, his family, and Ashley's parents planned a wonderful engagement party! It was a special end to one of the best days of their lives.