We're getting Married!

Although we did not date in high school, it seemed written in the stars that we were meant to be a pair! We played the same sports, had several mutual friends, were both the middle child in our families, and shared a similar excitement for the adventures life would take us on. We began officially dating on June 6th, 2013 when I had the nerve (maybe a few too many) to ask Ashley "Hey, are you my girlfriend?". Ashley replied in a puzzled tone, "Is that like a question or are you asking me to be your girlfriend?" Such a smooth talker I am. So I went on to clarify what I was meaning to say from the beginning. We shared a laugh and agreed that there wasn't anyone else we'd rather share our time with! -Zachery

On December 31st, 2019 we went on a spontaneous hike to Looking Glass Rock in the Pisgah National Forest. Upon waking up, I had not planned that it was going to be the big day to propose. At this point I had the ring for about 6 months and went back and forth on how I was going to pop the question. I had previously planned to propose on a trip in Colorado a few months earlier but my vision of being at the summit after a long hike never came to fruition. From there on my only plan was to propose in the most spontaneous fashion. I wanted her to be utterly surprised and have no idea it was coming. As I began to pack for the hike on that New Years Eve morning, I came across my golf bag where I had stowed away the ring and it suddenly hit me. I was going to do it today and there is no chance in the world she would ever see it coming. As we reached the summit she asked for some almonds we had packed and walked to the lookout point to sit down and snack. At this moment I knew it was meant to be. I had spent the entire hike up balancing my conversation with Ashley, meanwhile also franticly running around in my mind trying to draw up a plan. How can I distract her so that I can get the ring out in the most inconspicuous fashion?! Come to find out, she did it for me! As she looked out over the landscape, I took the ring out of my pocket and knelt down on one knee. It seemed like several minutes had gone by and I began to question why I packed so many almonds. I had a million emotions rushing through me at that point and then she finally turned around and saw me on one knee with the ring. She smiled and jolted toward me with both excitement and astonishment. I asked her the magic question and I happily placed the ring on her finger. It was then I knew my plan had worked and she truly had no idea she would go up the mountain as my girlfriend, and hike down my fiancée! -Zachery