In September 2021, Ashley and John were both invited to a mutual friend’s album release party. They had a ton of other mutual friends at the show and were introduced to each other (about 10 times through the night)! After that night, the merged friend group began having bonfires and doing activities on a weekly basis, and they grew as friends for about three months. In January 2022, the same country music friend had another live show that Ashley and John went to see with some friends. After the show, John confessed his feelings for Ashley and shared his intention to pursue her. They began hanging out 1 on 1 for a month and a half until March 3, 2022 when he officially asked Ashley to be his girlfriend! (Fun fact, Ashley told John he couldn’t kiss her unless they were officially dating- but he waited nearly a month longer to have their first kiss because he told her he wasn’t dating her just to kiss her). In October 2022, John and Ashley took a break to individually pursue the Lord. During that time, the Lord spoke to Ashley that John would come back in 23 weeks. She held that secret in her heart, and exactly 23 weeks later, to the day, John did come back to Ashley with absolute certainty he was going to marry her (while having no idea about this word of 23 weeks God had given her, and she held the same certainty). Their second first date was on 3/23/23! Since then they have continued pursuing the Lord together as they have sought his will, timing, and plan for them individually and together! In October 2023, John and Ashley both heard the Lord that they would get married in October and God has continued to lead the way and open the doors for that to happen! 🤍 For months, and despite any set backs, John worked relentlessly to save for a ring to give to Ashley, and on June 30, 2024 he set up a beautiful proposal, got down on one knee, and asked her to marry him! And now we are counting down the days until October 20, 2024 to celebrate our love with all of our family!🤍