We had met before this date, but this was the date he finally got my number. We met at Badges Bar. Cody is friends with my cousin Patrick, so our paths had crossed before. He had moved into my neighborhood about a street away and I had just bought a house and moved out. We bonded quickly over Penguins hockey and bar food. Our first date was the Asian Lantern Festival at the Zoo. I hosted a halloween party at my new house and that was the day we became official -10.31.21- Since then we have been to countless Penguins games, my first Steelers game, three Asian Lantern festivals, and many date nights.

One of my best friends Cayla asked me "Will you come with me to get pictures done for my birthday? I don't want to go by myself." So naturally I was on board. The day had come and I was getting ready and I FaceTime her so that she can see what I am wearing. Of course we are on the phone for 3 hours getting ready together and going through my ENTIRE closet just to find a dress that wouldn't "clash" with the sunflowers. We make it to the sunflower fields and we are walking around getting our 'friendship' pictures taken and I am facing the sun and can't see anything. The photographer just keeps telling me to face forward the lighting is great (everyone is behind me at this point). Then they tell me to look to my left at the prop they had in the field and I glance out of the corner of my eye someone coming up to me very quickly. I fully turn my head and see Cody on one knee smiling at me holding the most beautiful engagement ring that belonged to his grandmother. I immediately turn away and start to sob. I turn back around and look at him and he says "Ashley Lauren Riggle, will you marry me?" In between me sobbing and trying to catch my breath I say "YES!!" Cayla then proceeds to tell me that this whole 'Friendship photoshoot' was actually a surprise engagement photoshoot. I was completely shocked and could barely process what just happened. It was perfect. We can not wait to celebrate with all of you!!