In March 2025, Ashley and I took a trip to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Ashley grew up visiting these mountains with her family, so she knew all the hidden gems and special places. Experiencing their beauty through her eyes made the trip even more meaningful to me. Everything about the trip was incredible. From driving through the breathtaking Shenandoah Valley, to flying in helicopters, to touring moonshine distilleries, every moment felt unforgettable. But on March 4th, things took an unexpected turn. We started receiving notifications about nearby wildfires and severe wind warnings. Not fully realizing how dangerous the winds had become, Ashley suggested we relax in the cabin’s hot tub. We had only been out there for about a minute before we heard trees crashing around us, and she immediately ran inside. The rest of the night, we stayed updated on the fires while watching a movie. Eventually, Ashley fell asleep almost instantly, while I stayed awake monitoring the situation. Then suddenly, both of our phones blared with emergency evacuation alerts telling us to leave the mountain immediately. Thankfully, we had already packed bags just in case. We rushed to the car and drove down the mountain to a parking garage, where we spent the night sleeping safely inside the car. As a nurse, Ashley handles stressful situations every day, but seeing her in action during such a frightening and uncertain moment made me realize just how incredible she truly is. She remained calm, decisive, and strong when it mattered most. She is a real life superhero, and I feel incredibly blessed to have her by my side, not only during the good times, but especially during the difficult ones.

Red Sox games have become a big part of our relationship. We have now been to many game together, but, our first was very memorable. It was cold and rainy out, however, being with Devin I didn't seem to notice at all. It was very early on into our relationship and Devin decided to get us seats to the game. I showed up to the game early in order to buy what Devin now calls an over priced sweatshirt. I wanted to make sure I wore some Red Sox merch for the game to impress Devin and not look like a newbie fan. When Devin arrived he took me straight to the team store where he got me a Wakefield jersey to make sure I "looked the part". We sat up in the pavilion box completely unshielded from the rain and wind. The game went into extra innings, 12 to be exact. Although both of our butts were soaked by the end of the night we had the most fun time laughing and getting to know each other better. From that night on I knew Devin and I no matter the weather would come out smiling. He will always be my calm in the storm.

Shortly after Christmas in the year of our Lord 2024, Ashley and I journeyed to the fair state of Florida to visit her kinfolk. We began our stay in Port Richey. Having ever possessed a fondness for adventure and the untamed works of nature, we resolved that a voyage by kayak would provide both recreation and remembrance. Thus, we embarked upon the quiet waters, our course winding first through the solemn swamps, where the tall cypress trees stood as silent witnesses to the passage of time. The stillness of that place carried a peculiar majesty, broken only by the dipping of our paddles and the distant cries of birds hidden among the marshes. After some hours upon the water, our journey brought us forth from the shadowed swamplands and into the open embrace of the sea, where there appeared before us a small island resting alone amidst the vast ocean. There we tarried for a time, wandering its shores, exploring its hidden corners, and giving thanks for the beauty which Florida, and Ashley herself so freely bestows upon those willing to seek it. When at last the sun began its descent and the day drew toward its close, Ashley and I returned once more to the mainland, weary in body perhaps, yet enriched in spirit and love by an adventure we shall long remember.

Devin and I had milestones very quickly into our relationship. I knew, even the first time I met Devin, he would be my husband one day. With this certainty I felt so comfortable bringing him into every aspect of my life. Being brought into his world has been the greatest privilege of my life. Devin at his core is Porter Maine. He is comprised of all the streets and stores and beautiful people that fill it. Porter is where Devin grew up and visiting for the first time with him is still to this day one of my favorite memories of us early on. I was extremely nervous to visit knowing that I would meet his entire family. Devin was beaming on the way up pointing out all the places that were the settings of all his childhood memories. He showed me the high school he went to with a graduating class of 64, the fire station where he would spend afternoons after school with his best friend James and brother Stephen while his dad worked. He showed me the general store, where he worked as a high schooler and where his Papa works to do this day. Most importantly he showed me a home, a beautiful home that his grandfather and dad had built for their family to grow into. Though nervous Devin and his family have been the most welcoming people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. They instantly made me feel like part of the family, and I think before I even knew it a part of me was home too. One of my favorite parts of Devin and I's relationship is that everyday I feel like I get to know him more and more. He is truly at his core one of the most kind, sensitive, and intelligent person I have ever met in my life. I can't wait to know you in every season of life Devin. I can't wait to grow with you and build a family of our own, one filled with as much love as that home you made me apart of in October of 2024.

Among the most cherished members of our family are two extraordinary companions who have filled our home with immeasurable love, laughter, and personality. Callie, our beloved cat, is elegance paired with absolute mischief. Possessing an endlessly curious palate, she considers virtually anything remotely edible to be fair game from flowers and raw meat to the occasional wooden object if left unattended. Despite her adventurous tendencies, she is deeply affectionate at heart. Her greatest joys include curling up at Devin’s feet for long naps, relentlessly pursuing the glow of her beloved laser, and engaging in spirited roughhousing matches with her sister, Koda. Koda’s story is one of resilience. Found abandoned as a puppy inside a dumpster in Chattanooga, Tennessee, she was rescued from a kill shelter before ultimately finding her forever home with us. Fiercely loyal and endlessly loving, Koda is especially protective of Ashley and her sister. Her happiest moments are spent dancing with Ashley, gleefully being chased by other dogs at the park, playing with her dearest companion Willow, and, of course, snoring contentedly after a day well spent.