After seasons of singleness pursuing the Lord and living through COVID quarantine times, we both sought an authentic relationship with depth on the Hinge dating app. Ashley decided to give Hinge one more chance and Sam caught her eye. After liking one of his photos, Sam responded with the comment, "You look like someone who would get me into trouble". Amused by this response, Ashley asked Sam to explain and he then proceeded to tell an elaborate six part series. Impressed by his boldness and creativity, Ash agreed to multiple FaceTime dates. Our first in-person date included tacos and watching The Greatest Showman. Their love of the Lord and youth ministry is something that drew them close together early in their relationship.

A few weeks before their one-year anniversary, Sam popped the question! While we had been planning on doing a photoshoot with a friend for some time during the fall, Sam reached out to the photographer and asked if it could be an engagement session. Ashley was a little suspicious seeing her family all leave the house at the same time, but didn't think much of it. In fact, Ash was so unsuspecting that she was 35 minutes late! The magical photoshoot took place strolling through Centennial Lakes, complete with bridges and trees illuminated with Christmas lights. For the last stop of the photoshoot, we walked out on the peninsula, where a tree was illuminated as well as a circle of Christmas lights on the ground. After taking a couple of pictures, the photographer asked if there were any other poses we wanted to do. Sam responded by kneeling down on one knee, taking out a Winnie-the-Pooh rubber duck (a creatively curated ring box), and saying, "Ashley Anne Hart, will you marry me?". Ashley immediately started to cry and said "yes" of course! When Sam stood up and hugged Ashley, there was cheering and honking in the distance. Sam had invited some of Ashley's closest friends and family to watch the proposal happen, making the moment even more special!