We met in the summer of 2020, right in the middle of the chaos that was COVID. I (Ashley) had just lost my job and decided it was time for a fresh start. So, I packed up my apartment, left everything familiar behind, and moved to Iowa City without a plan—just a feeling that I needed something new.

While settling in and trying to meet people, I kept seeing DeVon’s name pop up online. Eventually, I followed him on Instagram, and not long after, he added me on Snapchat. He might try to tell you otherwise, but I definitely left him on read for a few weeks.

When I finally replied, he invited me to go boating. I said yes. But when I showed up, he didn’t say a single word to me. Not one. We still laugh about it now—he swears he was just nervous and had never felt like that before. I left thinking, “This man is a fool.”

He asked me out a few more times, and I kept saying no. Eventually, I agreed. Our first real date was at Tin Roost. As we walked in, a group of older women looked at us and said, “You two would have beautiful children.” I was mortified—I barely knew him! But looking back… maybe they saw something we hadn’t figured out yet.

There was always something about us—no matter how many times we tried to stay just friends or go separate ways, we kept finding our way back to each other. Everything between us felt easy, natural, and real. Over time, our connection only grew stronger.

Since then, we’ve shared some of the most important moments of our lives: we’ve bought a house, traveled together, supported each other through school and work, and made a million little memories in between. We’ve grown as individuals and as a couple—through a lot of love, learning, and laughter.

DeVon proposed on the beach at sunset in Pensacola, Florida—one of our favorite places, and the spot where we took our very first vacation together. We went back four years later, and I had no idea what was coming. It was perfect.

These days, we spend our time doing what we love most: traveling, playing board games, eating good food, and being outside as much as possible—whether that’s hiking, kayaking, playing pickleball, boating, or (for DeVon) golfing.

We’ve come a long way since that silent boat ride, but it’s been the best kind of journey—real, honest, and full of love.