Matt and Ashlyn met in the summer of 2024 at Whiskey River West. While Ashlyn was intending to dance the night away with her church friends, two-stepping, Matt noticed Ashlyn’s pink hairbow, sweet smile, and bright, blue eyes. To this day, he says that caught him - hook, line, and sinker. He asked her to dance. During that first (and only) dance of the night, Matt didn’t miss his opportunity to ask her out for dinner. Their first date was the following Monday night at Plucker’s, a local wing joint. Ashlyn still laughs at Matt’s graceful ability to eat wings without getting ranch on his at-the time mustache. The rest of the story is filled with laughter and intentional moments. Matt’s witty sense of humor and Ashlyn’s crazy ideas always keep the couple close. The two agree that God could not have brought them a better partner and support system. The couple enjoys attending church together, hanging out with friends, a good crime movie, and the occasional night at the first place they met, Whiskey River.

The night of the proposal, Matt planned dinner reservations at a “surprise” restaurant that was “exclusive and hard to get in”. Ashlyn’s mom called last-minute for them to stop at a local art gallery to take a picture of a new painting for her father’s home lounge. When Ashlyn and Matt got to the art gallery, she asked if he would carry her phone in, as she had no pockets. When they walked in, the attendant showed them to “the painting”. As Ashlyn asked Matt for her phone, he realized he left it in the truck. To the parents observing in secret and friend capturing the moment, it looked like he forgot the ring! To Ashlyn, she was worried they would be late for dinner. Ashlyn observed the painting while waiting for Matt and noticed it was titled Soulmates. She was confused as the painting was nothing like her father’s style for the lounge. When Matt came back with her phone, she asked him to stand beside the painting to show her mom the size. Matt, quick on his feet, asked Ashlyn to stand beside it instead. When she turned around, she saw the glint of a camera lens and Matt’s excited face. Matt didn’t have the opportunity to pop the question before she gave him the biggest hug and said yes! The story continues! As Ashlyn thought they were going for an intimate family dinner after the “Yes!”, another surprise was in store. Matt and Ashlyn’s mom organized a surprise dinner with the couple’s closest friends and local family. The night was filled with love and Godly community. It will always be remembered as the best surprise Ashlyn has ever received.