It all started 17 years ago in Ms. Perry's sixth grade class. Blake and Ashley attended Crestdale Middle School together. Blake was the 4ft tall, long haired, class clown and Ashley was the shy, quiet girl who observed Blake's behavior and laughed amongst herself. They had band class together. Blake played the trumpet and Ashley played the trombone. Each class the teacher would make Blake stand in the back corner of the room for goofing off. Ashley always had a good laugh in band, thanks to Blake. They went to separate high schools and then the summer of senior year they were brought back together by mutual friends. After a day of cliff jumping, breaking into a friend's house to party, and a midnight run to McDonalds, they realized their chemistry was undeniable. In the Fall, Blake took Ashley on a stroll in the park with his dog, Roxanne. While they were walking, Blake whipped out some notecards and asked Ashley to help him with his senior exit project. When Ashley realized the notecards were blank, there was one single notecard with writing on it. Five words read, "Will you be my girlfriend?" The two of them continued their relationship for a few months before Blake ended up breaking up with Ashley. College was approaching and their futures were unknown. Ashley wound up moving to Wilmington for her freshman year and Blake got accepted into ECU. But it was never over for them. Ashley visited ECU frequently to visit friends and inevitably every time they would literally stumble upon each other. Eventually Ashley transferred to ECU during her sophomore year. Unplanned, the star-crossed lovers discovered they were both living at the same off-campus apartment complex! Their tempting chemistry was back again and they couldn't resist each other. Despite the obstacles they faced, Blake confessed his love for Ashley in 2015 on Halloween. Ashley was apprehensive at first but then a short 3 months later, Ashley confided in Blake, that she indeed loved him too. Ever since then, they have been a force to be reckoned with. No one could separate them. They graduated together. They moved back to Charlotte and hustled to secure "adult" jobs. They moved into their first apartment together. They picked out the most beautiful dog together, August. They made the cross-country move together to Austin, Texas. Life trewly couldn't get better, until, December of 2020. They drove up to New York to celebrate Christmas. It was Christmas Eve morning and everyone was gathered in Tita and Papa's living room. Ashley was sitting on the couch when Blake started petting August beneath her and startled her by saying "What's this on Aug? You need to check it out." Ashley quickly kneeled on the floor to evaluate Aug and began hastily asking Blake, "Where!? I don't see anything. Where Blake?!" Blake responded, "Ashley, look at me." He was kneeling beside her with a bright red box and the shiniest beam of light was blaring out. Tears began streaming down her face and she leaped on Blake with the tightest grip. Kisses and hugs were shared amongst everyone in the teeny tiny living room while Blake's family was virtually cheering over FaceTime. The rest is history. ❤️