It’s often said that timing is everything, and that you have to be in the right place at the right time. For us, these age-old sayings proved to be true. We have known of each other for over 20 years, weaving in and out of each other’s lives in various and sometimes peculiar ways. The same high school (and middle school) halls. The same (impeccable) music taste. The same local shows. And eventually, a common friend and co-worker turned family. All the while, Alex crushed on Ashley hard. But he didn’t let her know it for quite some time. It wasn’t until December 2020 that we began to really know each other. We went on our first date to Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic. We had a great time together on what was truly a cold and rainy December night. Since it’s hard to plan a second date in the middle of the pandemic, it wouldn’t be until years later that we made it happen. Because right place at the right time, you know. Fast forward to August 2023. Alex and his brother (and Best Man) Adam were playing a show near where Ashley lived. Alex’s friend (and groomsman) Brian said he heard Ashley was going. Alex was jazzed beyond belief at the thought, but didn’t believe it. As it turns out, Ashley was out of town and Brian was just messing with him. But Ashley texted Alex afterward, asking how the show went. The rest, as they say, is history. We had our second first date that month at Handlebar and Subterranean, enjoying three of the things we love most (other than our fur babies): creative veggie foods, live music, and of course, each other’s company. Since then, we have been inseparable and grown to be best friends. In August 2024, they made it official. Alex proposed to Ashley in Lake Geneva, popping the question at the end of a scrapbook that he had made of their journey together so far. Their trips together. The shows they’ve seen. The time spent with their family and friends. The best part? Ashley said yes! We have since moved in together, creating a blended household with Sugar (Ashley’s beautiful cat) and Murphy (Alex’s strange but nonetheless beautiful cat). Together, we are building new memories all the time and loving the heck out of each other and our babies. We are so incredibly happy to celebrate our wedding with you, and to ring in the start of our next chapter together!