SCENE 1: HOW WE MET SETTING: HINGE (*SAFE* ONLINE DATING APP) TIME: JUNE, 2023 Michael and Ashleigh matched together on a dating app called Hinge. They chatted, flirted and Michael decided to ask Ashleigh out on a date. Michael asked Ashleigh to Bar Taco for margaritas. She said yes. This date will go on in history to be declared by both Michael and Ashleigh as "the best first date I have ever been on." They flirted, they laughed, they shared common interests, hobbies and faith. Michael even held Ashleighs hand which he did so smoothly, Ashleigh lost her cool and said "wow that was so smooth." The date ends. They text. Michael asks Ashleigh out on a second date. ... She denies him. SCENE 2: TRY AGAIN...Ashleigh's Turn. SETTING: Ashleighs Grandmothers (Susan Bryan) kitchen table TIME: November, 2023 Ashleigh was sitting at her grandmothers kitchen table. They were eating sandwiches and fruit and Susan asks Ashleigh about her love life, any boys around, etc. Ashleigh confesses that she went on a great date with a boy named Michael, but she turned him down for a second date. Susan asks many questions about why Ashleigh made this decision. Ashleigh coming to the understanding that she missed a good one, is then threatened by her grandmother that she cannot leave the kitchen table until she asks Michael out. Ashleigh then proceeded to ask Michael out for a drink. Unfortunately at this time, Michael was unavailable and declined Ashleighs invitation. SCENE 3: Third time's the charm SETTING: Ashleigh is at Ashleighs house, Michael is in Atlanta staying at a friends house TIME: A monday in April 2024 Ashleighs Story: On Sunday, Ashleigh was spending time with her sweet friend, Joy, discussing boys, love life and dreams of the future. Joy encouraged Ashleigh to intentionally pray that God would provide for her a husband. Ashleigh, agreeing that this was a great idea, decided to start intentionally praying for a husband starting monday night with the expectation that this would be a long time period in prayer. Michaels Story: Michael was spending time with Agus and Thai in Atlanta, GA. Thai was very curious on the type of girl Michael wanted to marry. Michael started thinking and they all discussed for a while the types of values a girl should have who is worth marrying. That night Michael could not sleep and his mind began to ponder the conversation with Agus and Thai. Then he suddenly remembered this lovely girl who he had been on a fantastic first date with, and who had asked him out again in November. In his head he was convinced she was either taken or would say no but decided that he had to take his shot. The next day, Tuesday, Ashleigh received a text from Michael asking her out again. The rest of the story! Michael and Ashleigh shared their 2nd first date on April 13, 2024. Four dates later, after a dreamy rainy evening hike at Percy Warner, they were smitten. In May, they made it official. After a year including trips to South Africa and New York, Michael asked Ashleigh to marry him on April 12, 2025. Now, they cannot wait to be married to eachother on April 11, 2026.