It all started with a small group of friends in San Francisco, California who decided to create a monthly "polar bear plunge" event at Ocean Beach. The event grew over the months to a record 65 attendees at one point. One day out of every month was committed to waking up at the crack of dawn, packing the car with blankets, travelers of coffee, pounds of bacon, dozens of eggs, and many close friends. We'd start a bonfire, strip down to our bathing suits, and run into the ice cold ocean as one massive group. Most would run immediately back to the bonfire to warm up, dry off and cook an abundant amount of bacon, veggie and egg scramble, and pumpkin pancakes. Ashley was a part of this tradition for many months before Michael showed up. The day he did, however, he immediately took notice in Ashley. He liked her goofy and care free personality and how she seemed to make friends with everyone there. He introduced himself and she was friendly back, but to this day Ashley admits she does not remember this specific moment. That would all change soon.

The same group of people from the polar bear plunge tradition decided to get together for a large weekend camping trip at Clearlake, California. Michael still remembers the Facebook event for this particular outing and saw that Ashley was going to be there. He instantly RSVP'd Yes to the weekend activities. A group of about 60 were hosted at the property owned by the Young Scandinavian Club. It was a weekend full of incredible food, games, inflatable float islands on the lake, good beer, bad wine (Franzia is still a thing), live music, yoga on the dock, kayaking, paddle boarding, and a lifetime of memories. Saturday night during dinner, the group was gathered around the picnic tables for some live music. Michael sat right next to Ashley and Ashley remembers feeling very content in that moment. She vaguely remembered Michael from the plunge, but got to know him more that evening. He made her laugh a lot over that weekend. Somehow wherever she went, Michael was right there. At the end of the weekend, Ashley and her carpool friends packed up the car and said their "see ya soon's." Many people were still in the lake while the hugs and waves were taking place. Michael was one of them.

On June 14th, 2014 there was another polar bear plunge at Ocean Beach. Both Ashley and Michael attended separately. It had been a couple of weeks since the Clearlake camping trip, but everyone was excited to be reunited once again for another Saturday bonfire breakfast. It just so happened that Ashley was hosting her 3rd annual neon, sushi and glowsticks themed birthday party for her 28th that evening. She decided to make a quick announcement to the entire plunge group that this was happening and let everyone know that anyone and everyone was welcome to come. She also let a few know about pre-party drinks at her apartment before the evening started, and one of those few people she invited was Michael. That evening, the doorbell rang to Ashley's apartment. It was Michael. Ashley was actually shocked he showed up considering they didn't know each other very well, but it was a pleasant surprise. She was so impressed that she decided then (without Michael knowing) that he was going to be her date that night. The crew headed out to the Marina for a 30 person sushi dinner before the dance party started. Sake flowed, the sushi seemed to never stop coming, and there were 100's of glowsticks being shaped into various wearable objects like fairy wings, glasses, and necklaces. At the end of the dinner, Michael came up to Ashley and whispered that he couldn't wait to dance with her. Everyone walked over to KT's bar and instantly started the party. Many electric dance songs played per request, there were a countless number of fist pumps, and everyone was having a blast. That's when Michael decided to go in for the kiss. On June 18, 2014, Ashley and Michael had their first date. And then their second, and then their third. Since that day, they have never wanted to stop seeing each other. So they didn't stop.

Ashley's parents were in town for a week in San Francisco to visit with their daughter and Mike. Many adventures were planned throughout the week: Napa wine tasting, Alcatraz, and trying Ashley and Mike's favorite spots. To Mike and Ashley's dad's knowledge, Mike planned to propose that week. He carried a ring in his pocket for most of the events planned that week, not knowing when the right moment would be. On July 6, 2017, Mike and Ashley were at their local CrossFit gym while Ashley's parents were at home relaxing after a long day. Ashley decided randomly that that day was THE day to get her first kipping pull-up, a movement she had been trying to get for too long. She had Mike film her and BAM! A long-term goal had finally been met! Ashley was over the moon in excitement. As Mike and Ashley left the gym to head home, Mike expressed that he wanted to spend a little alone time before heading home since Ashley's parents had been in town all week. He recommended they take a walk through Lafayette Park. Ashley became instantly suspicious, and Mike said he could feel her hands get warm. He knew she knew. They sat down in a spot facing out towards the sunset. Mike expressed how much Ashley meant to him and shared excitement for their future together. He was happy that their parents were able to meet. He then promised to "eventually" get her that ring. That it's around the corner, and that he just wanted to express what a meaningful week it had been. Instantly Ashley realized this was not THE moment and started talking about other unrelated and less sentimental life things. It was a sweet moment of regular conversation. Ashley recommended they head home soon as it was getting dark. Mike agreed and they both got up. They both took 5 or so steps towards the tree as Mike turned and faced Ashley. He then asked, "actually, why not today?" and got down on one knee and asked his lady to spend the rest of her life with him. She said about 10 different versions of "yes".