12/31/22

We met at a restaurant, Holman & Finch, in Atlanta in August of 2013. Steven had recently moved from Columbus, GA and I had lived in Atlanta for about 4 years then. I am so grateful to my friends Louisa and Chad who encouraged me to stick with eHarmony! While on a walk one evening with Louisa (we used to be neighbors in Buckhead), I shared that I was officially done with online dating. (“Too exhausting!” Or something along those lines, I said dramatically.) Louisa and Chad, who are now married and have the sweetest little girl, met on eHarmony, and encouraged me to give it one more go. "We'll look at your profile and update it for you!" they generously offered and I said “Sure! Why not?” A few weeks later, Steven (one of the few guys who actually read the details of a girl’s profile) thoughtfully read my profile and asked me questions about the details that my friends had added. Some of the first things we messaged about were spots to hike in Georgia and he complimented my dog George saying he was a very pretty dog (the key to my heart!). When we met at the restaurant, he was at a high-top table in the bar area facing the door when I walked in, and I immediately thought how cute he was and that I liked his shirt (red/blue/green plaid shirt – what else?). When it was time to leave, we went to pick up our cars from the valet and discovered we had almost the exact same car – white Volvos! Our 2nd date was at Treehouse Restaurant and Pub, a favorite casual spot close to my old condo I would frequent often – it’s dog friendly so of course George joined us! I knew he was a keeper when I came back from the restroom and he was holding George, saying it was the only thing that got him to stop whining while I was gone 😊 8 years later we now have the high-top table from Holman & Finch that we met at in our dining room area at our house in Decatur. Years ago we learned they were remodeling the restaurant, and I knew I had to ask what happened to the high-top tables. I called and came by, eventually connecting with the manager who gave me the table (including the gum underneath)! Thank you for reading our ‘How we met’ story and for celebrating this special time with us – We love each of you!

Steven proposed on May 1 of this year at one of my favorite spots in Atlanta, the Peachtree Heights East Duck Pond, tucked away in the most gorgeous neighborhood in Buckhead. He even managed to make it a surprise! We attended Buckhead Church in-person (first time attending in-person since pre-COVID) and he took me there after church, but notably before brunch (I was almost hangry). Steven had arranged a photographer to candidly capture the moment, and arranged a surprise appearance by the cavy’s George and Max (thanks, Sheena for helping shuttle them to the event!). Chrissy and Matt live nearby, and joined Sheena and us with a champagne toast (Steven hid a cooler of champagne and glasses in his car for the occasion). We then took the cavy's for brunch and mimosas at Treehouse Restaurant and Pub! Here are the surprise engagement pictures that Steven arranged! https://www.snappr.com/gallery/atlanta-ga/engagement/01-may-2022/ashley-and-steven-engagement-shoot

• First kiss: In the parking deck of my condo (George was wrapping his leash around us – George has a way of always making his presence known) • First time he met my friends: This is controversial – it was actually just a few weeks into us first dating at my birthday dinner! It was that “in between” time of getting to know each other so I waffled on inviting him, but opted for yes because it just felt right. • First time I met his family: Was by coincidence! We were having lunch on a Sunday at Clocked diner in Athens with his friends Josh and then girlfriend Brandy and Josh goes “hey isn’t that your family?” as Steven’s parents and sister Valerie walked by the outside window. • First time I met his friends: In downtown Decatur for his same friend Josh’s birthday – Raging Burrito then to play darts at Twain’s. Some of the stories about their old antics did give me pause though…. • First sporting event we attended together: A pre-season Falcons game with none other than Louisa and Chad! • First trip we took: Nashville for his friend’s wedding and it was that weekend he first told me he loved me • First series we binged: Breaking Bad • First meal I remember him cooking for me: Steak with chimichurri sauce • First nicknames: Don’t quite know how this started, my friend Chrissy and I one day assigned spirits animals to each of our friends based on their looks and personalities – we decided that Steven was a Bernese Mountain dog (because he loves the outdoors but also enjoys upholstery), so to this day I call him “Bernie.” He used to call me Pom (I was originally deemed a Pomeranian but have since evolved to be a ruby colored Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – we’re all fine here!), but now he mostly calls me “Boo”. • First meaningful gifts we exchanged: He gave me pearl earrings and a necklace for Christmas, and I gave him a seersucker suit from J.Crew and a horse racing themed gift basket in preparation for a weekend at Keeneland in Lexington, KY!