Thank you for being a special part of our Best. Day. EVER.

The very first time we met was playing sand volleyball. We were both on the same team; Ethan's competitive nature (and lets face it, great looks) immediately stood out to me. I remember diving for a ball and skidding my knee up, instead of sitting out, I grabbed some sand and rubbed it into the wound to stop the bleeding (doc in the making right there!) and played on. I'm not saying that was 'the moment' we knew we'd be together forever, but it was a start. A few weeks later I attended a house party he happened to be at as well. I had just ended a serious relationship several months before and was finally feeling ready to mingle (I hadn't been single since high school so was very curious what single Ashley was going to do!). I walked into the house and right away saw Ethan sitting at a table dealing cards with his friends. That was the moment. I locked eyes on him and knew he would be mine. Timing had different plans for us at first. We dated for about 6 months before I broke it up, taking time to focus on medical school. Every few months or so, however, Ethan would come back. Whether it be a picture sent, a text, or maybe a visit to my house to 'check his knee,' he was always in some way apart of my life. After moving into my first apartment, I sent him a message. He immediately responded and asked if I wanted to go to Ikea. Something changed for me after that day. All those 'first time' feelings came rushing back and the rest is history.