Although I’m sure we had met a couple times before this, this was our first memory of meeting. On the second Saturday of August in 1998, Ashley and I competed against each other for little Miss Tiny Tot at the Rush Springs Watermelon Festival. Ashley inevitably ended up winning by rocking that red polka dot dress and loving spaghetti, rightfully so.

We found each other, when we weren’t even looking. We became friends and then best friends. Laughing until tears and then crying til laughter together. I felt very protective of her, (Threw a slushee in a guy’s face, and threatened to whoop his *explicit* because he called Ash a *explicit* I became infatuated with Ashley and knew I wanted to spend all my time with her. I At such a young age, we have learned so much together.