I knew that Ashley was the one after we had been together a little bit over a year into our relationship. When I went back to school after my co-op assignment had ended, it started to hit me.

When I was working at Bridgestone, we would get lunch together most days and spend almost every weekend together. That was the absolute best. No matter how bad our days were, once we were together, we made each other smile and forgot about everything else that was happening around us.

When I went back to school, it hit me because I didn't get to see her every day or even on the weekends. I would get through every day, going to class, going to school, and then going home to sleep. I always felt like something was missing, and I knew that something was Ashley.

Wrapping up the semester, I knew we were going to see her family for christmas and that would be the best time to tell them how much I love their daughter and want to spend the rest of my life with her.

It wasn't your normal conversation, because I was not going to be able to give them a date on when it would happen. Instead, it would hinge on a specific event (our vacation in St. Pete Florida).

I knew for sure that Ashley was the one before I met her family, but spending time that Christmas with her family was wonderful because I got to meet and spend time with the people that made her into the most wonderful and beautiful young woman I know.

People always ask, "When will I know she's the one?". The answer is that you won't know until it just hits you. It's different for everyone, but I knew when I never felt complete unless she was by my side.

A&H

Reception