Ashley and Eggy had been orbiting the same circles around Nashville for a while, but the timing just wasn’t quite right. Then, like many modern love stories they were both slightly embarrassed to admit, Hinge entered the chat. They each downloaded the app (despite actively hating it) and matched instantly, a small miracle they’ll be grateful for forever. They even shared an inside joke, making up a cheesy, elaborate rom-com story every time someone asked, “How did y’all meet?”—and most people believed it. So, this is the real origin story of Eggy and Ashley.

Their first date was March 31, 2023, at Lakeside Lounge, an East Nashville dive bar. Ashley was perched at the bar when Eggy spotted her distinct auburn curls from across the room. Instead of a traditional hello, he wrapped his arm around her from behind. Slightly strange? Yes. Strangely perfect? Also yes. Ashley squeezed back, turned around, and met the face of the love of her life, the Egg Man himself. They wandered next door to The Basement East to catch a show, completely unaware their story had officially begun.

The following weeks were a whirlwind. They were inseparable—running all over town, laughing, dancing, and soaking up every moment together. But life had other plans. Ashley was deep in her career, and Eggy soon returned to the road, touring with Kind Hearted Strangers. As magical as it all felt, the timing still wasn’t quite right.

Fast forward four months and a summer apart. On Labor Day weekend 2023, Ashley was at Acme Feed & Seed on Broadway celebrating her Maid of Honor’s birthday while catching Stolen Faces, a local Grateful Dead cover band. Eggy, freshly home from tour and back in Nashville, decided to reach out. Ashley was hesitant at first, but something about Eggy pulled her in—like a magnet, or maybe divine intervention. The nerves were real and the anticipation high, but once they made it up to the rooftop to catch up, everything clicked. A passionate smooch sealed the deal, and after time apart, they admitted what had been obvious all along: they were in love and ready to try again.

Days later, Ashley jetted off to the Amalfi Coast, spending her nights stretched out on a chaise on a villa porch in Positano, staring up at the stars and thinking about Eggy from across the world. When she returned home, they made it official.

By December 2023, Eggy brought Ashley home to Batimore for Christmas to meet the Gormans. In March 2024, Ashley took Eggy to one of her favorite places—Puerto Vallarta, Mexico—to celebrate his 30th birthday with snorkeling at Los Arcos, a slightly chaotic hike, and a beachside birthday dinner capped off with fireworks. They both got violently ill on the last day of the trip, but still made it through the airport laughing the whole way home. In June 2024, they moved into their first home together, a cozy duplex on the east side, just steps away from the finest trailer establishment, Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge.

Ashley dragged Eggy to her 15th Bonnaroo (his first), introduced him to kayaking rivers, chasing waterfalls, and hiking through the mountains of her home state. She gently pulls him out of his comfort zone to experience all the sweetness life has to offer. Eggy, in turn, brings calm to Ashley’s world, making her feel safe, loved, and grounded. He wakes her most mornings with elaborate breakfasts made with love, reminds her when it’s time to shut off work and stress, and teaches her how to slow down and be present in the everyday. Together, they’ve grown tremendously—individually and as a couple—two Pisces born in March, swimming through life as yin and yang.

They’ve also become deeply intertwined with each other’s families, making memories from carefree lake days on the boat with Ashley’s family to memorable beach days in Stone Harbor with Eggy’s family, and everything in between. They feel incredibly blessed to be marrying into families who have fully accepted and supported their love. Having both lost their fathers, Ashley and Eggy share a deep understanding and comfort with one another. In moments when grief resurfaces, they steady each other and honor their dads by sharing stories, ensuring their legacies live on through love, laughter, and remembrance.

In November 2024, Eggy FaceTimed his oldest brother, Bri, and casually announced, “I’m going to ask Ashley to marry me.” The original plan was a Christmas proposal in Baltimore, but Eggy proved once again that patience is not his strong suit.

On December 22, 2024, with cousins Joey and Megan Gorman in town, Ashley suggested heading downtown for some holiday fun. She was looking extra cute in her Christmas fit, so Eggy decided the time was now to drop the big question. He put on his cargo pants so she wouldn’t spot the ring. Ashley made a few jokes about the cargos but still let him win that battle, completely clueless. While killing time waiting for family to finish dinner, Eggy suggested stopping by Acme Feed & Seed, claiming a friend was playing. Once there, he insisted they go up to the rooftop—the very spot where they had sealed their love—despite it being closed. He put on such a convincing show with security that Ashley grew a little suspicious… but still had no idea what was coming.

They had the rooftop entirely to themselves, overlooking the river and the city lights. As Ashley stepped forward to take a photo of the view, Eggy dropped to one knee, immediately crying like a baby, and asked her to spend forever with him. Through shaky words, happy tears, and overflowing emotion, it was perfect.

Ashley, of course, said yes to forever.

Time was finally on their side, and the rest is history.