Michael and Ashley's first date was over several hours where they ate tacos and debated which childhood book was the best, after dinner, Michael walked Ashley back to her car and would quickly ask her out again before she left for several weeks for an international trip. Despite not seeing each other in person for only a few days the summer they first meet, they would unknowingly create a pattern of talking and texting that would become a hallmark of their relationship. After a summer of traveling, Ashley returned to Houston, and made plans with Michael for their third date. Michael would surprise Ashley by taking her on a romantic dinner at the Melting Pot and showed her his recent purchase of a book series they had talked about on their first date for the both of them to read.

We both realized that we wanted to spend time together but can be completely content being in the same room doing our own thing inches apart. We became friends, and both individually matured while learning how to have a healthy and loving relationship. Michael: "I was the first one to say I love you after watching a movie one night. I felt like it was the right time and right place." Ashley: "When he came over to my parents house and helped install blinds!"

Michael: "When I realized how patient she is was with me and how good of a team we are together." Ashley: "He can always make me laugh and I realized conversations about the future included him."

Michael: l knew that the only chance to surprise Ashley would be to use my birthday in April as an excuse to get dressed up and go out on the town. I spent the month before coordinating with our families and her friends to prepare and pretended I wasn't listening when she talked about engagement rings. Ashley: He spent the entire week leading up to dinner talking about how excited he was to eat at Eddy V's, the restaurant we've gone to for special occasions. I was focused on making sure he had a great birthday! Michael: Dinner was stressful as I was getting text messages from Ashley's friends and our families as they were getting into position to wait for us where I had planned on proposing and to surprise Ashley. The day before and that morning was highly stressful, as it was supposed to storm all day. Thankfully it stopped raining and cleared up! Ashley: He did a great job at dinner hiding his nerves; I was utterly oblivious to all of the planning and what was about to happen. I jokingly asked during dinner when he was going to propose, and without sweating, he said within the next 365 days. Little did I know it was going to be in a couple of hours. Michael: I had told Ashley I wanted to go to a nearby hotel to listen to a 90's cover band after dinner. My main focus on the walk to the designated stop was to make sure she didn't see the ring in my pocket and that we did not see anybody we knew. Ashley: I did not realize what was happening until I saw a good friend, Ashley, filming. The rest, you can say, is a moment made for the movies. Not only did he take me by surprise, but it was also even more special to see everyone I loved cheering from the hotel balcony above us.