They met in September of 2020, Josh had recently come back from his deployment and Ashton was working and finishing up her undergraduate studies. He was home on leave when they both noticed each other at the gym. Josh found out from his sister how he could get in contact with her and he promptly slid into her DMs. They started chatting and it wasn't long before he FINALLY got up the courage to ask her on a date.

He picked her up at her house where he was met in the driveway by her dad standing in his State Police uniform next to his cruiser. After a series of interrogation (that Ashton was completely unaware was happening), he passed the test and Ashton was able to come out and save him. They went to Harper's Ferry and had the best day, they have been inseparable ever since.

They spent a year FaceTiming through the long distance and finding creative ways to adventure together in the time they were able to spend with one another.

They both new that they wanted to spend forever together from the beginning. Ashton was trudging through her Master's program when Josh finish his enlistment with the Marine Corps and made it his goal to get through his degree as fast and humanly possible so they could start their life together.

Three very dedicated years later, Josh and Ashton were enjoying a well-thought out and romantic picnic on the beach. As the sun began to set, Josh urged Ashton to stand up. While she was distracted by feeding the seagulls, Josh reached into the cookie bag where he was stelfully hiding the long awaited little black box. She turned around and realized in that moment that their dreams were finally coming true. With tears, Josh asked her to spend forever with him and Ashton couldn't say yes fast enough.