We first met in February 2021 after matching on Hinge (the dating app), and our first date was over Zoom. Why Zoom? “Because of COVID”, as Nick’s version of the story would have it. But the truth is different…

He didn't have a car. (Bear in mind, we lived 20 miles apart without a metro connection.) The Zoom date went so well, though, that Nick bought a car the following week, and drove to meet Ashley for our very first in-person date.

We met halfway, at a brewery – one of those “nice-on-the-inside” places with a modest facade and an unmaintained parking lot that you couldn’t really anticipate from Google photos alone. So, when Ashley first arrived… let’s just say, she was glad she had shared her GPS location with a friend.

Once inside though, she was reassured immediately by the lively atmosphere and the sight of Nick waiting for her. These first dates were the start of something special.

Just a few months later, we were introducing each other to our families. Ashley met Nick's mom, siblings, and nephews over Memorial Day weekend; and Nick braved meeting Ashley's entire extended family at her mom’s wedding in June. Family members from both sides would later tell us: they could already tell this was “the one.”

In the following years, we created countless memories, from carving pumpkins, to Thanksgiving feasts with family, to cookie-making and ice skating over Christmas, and cruising across the Caribbean for our summer vacation.

On Labor Day weekend, 2023, Nick surprised Ashley by proposing to her at a picturesque winery in Barboursville, VA. (She said yes!)

Nick discreetly invited family members to drive/fly in from multiple states to share in our celebration, thus creating a “second surprise” in the minutes following the proposal. It was the perfect engagement weekend surrounded by family, friends, and love.

Now, we can't wait to celebrate our wedding with each of you, on July 20th, 2024!

Engagement Photos