In the wake of Snowmageddon, Michael met up with a co-worker to celebrate the day off. That co-worker had also invited Ashley to join. We traipsed around the empty, snow covered city all day, and clicked immediately. After that day we began talking every chance we got, and never looked back.

On one of our first dates, we went to the National Mall to see the monuments. As we were walking to the FDR Memorial, we passed the D.C. War Memorial and Ashley said, "That monuments looks like the end of some sappy movie." That stuck with me for the duration of our relationship, and I knew that is where I wanted to ask her to be my wife. We first went to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. Then we walked over to the D.C. War Memorial, and in front of my parents, a group of college kids, and a couple passing by, I asked Ashley to spend forever with me.