Ashley and Collin met in the summer of 2013 in Blacksburg, Virginia. Collin had just transferred to Virginia Tech to complete his engineering degree, and Ashley had recently returned from a study abroad program in Belize. Initially, they were just neighbors and friends, but as time passed, they became more than that. Ashley spilled the beans one evening that she had a crush on Collin. After some initial hesitation on Collin's end (he was scared), they started dating and the rest was history!

Ashley had been tasked with building an insect collection for her entomology course and had asked Collin and his roommates to help her locate specimens for the project. Collin took particular interest in finding bugs for Ashley's collection and naturally the two grew closer. Collin--being oblivious to the signs of interest--required a little more blunt approach from Ashley, with her confessing her feelings one evening together. Though nervous, Collin really enjoyed Ashley's energy, company, and passion and decided to date. The couple's first official date entailed a hike to the Cascades (a 66-ft waterfall that plunges into a large swimming hole) followed by dinner at Sal's, an Italian restaurant in Blacksburg (that is unfortunately no longer open).

Ashley and Collin dated for just a little while......but both knew they wanted to spend life together for quite some time. After yet again some hesitation to come up with the right moment to propose, Collin devised a plan. The two had booked a trip for February 2024 to explore and bird in the Central Andes of Colombia (this would be their second time visiting this beautiful and biologically diverse country, so it already held a special place in their hearts). At a friend's New Year's Eve party in 2023, Collin overheard Ashley say to her friends that "it would be so cool for Collin to propose in Colombia, but he'd never do that!". At that precise moment, he decided that would be the plan! After coordinating with another couple on our trip, Collin snuck a ring into Colombia (along with four bottles of nailpolish plus nailpolish remover!!) with the plan to propose after dinner on the night of our arrival. Upon getting to the lodge that afternoon, he pulled an audible and changed the plan at the last minute, seeing a good opportunity. Our birding group--Ashley included--had wandered down to the hummingbird feeders to watch and photograph hummingbirds prior to dinner. While we were otherwise distracted, Collin got cleaned up, pocketed the precious cargo, and nonchalantly rejoined our group. What Ashley didn't see was the knowing look Collin shot our trip coordinator, who then proclaimed she had just seen a specific hummingbird that Ashley hadn't seen before (a would-be LIFER!)! While Ashley was distracted watching for the hummingbird to return to the flowering bushes, Collin was able to sneak up, get down on one knee, and pop the question! While a proposal wasn't a surprise at this point, the time and place caught her off guard. Of course she said yes!!