We won Parade of Favorites (a club showcase & pageant at Lee University)! We had spent 6 hours a week in practice to learn the group and couples dances, and those practices were the beginning of our friendship. This was the night we both knew we'd be close for a while.

After almost a year of knowing each other, we were best friends. We were the presidents of DZT and Upsilon (Social Service Clubs at Lee University) which we both shared together. We had classes together. We did homework together (Lydia helped Ashton with all of his Spanish homework lol). We went out to eat at LEAST once a week, just the two of us (Always Pad Thai from Fuji or Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers from Chilis- we were regulars at both). We were together at least 4 days a week for a better part of that year. So consider this a shout out to every friend who suggested we just needed to date! We were somehow cluelessly in love <3.

We went to Ashton's last semi-formal together, and by this time we knew there were way more than friendship feelings. This was shortly after we kissed for the first time and acknowledged there were feelings involved. BUT at this point, Ashton had decided to move to Oklahoma at the beginning of the year. So, we decided in order to preserve our friendship, we weren't going to pursue a long-distance relationship from the start (hahahaha).

Ashton lived in Oklahoma, and Lydia lived in Georgia, both navigating post-grad life. We had both tried dating other people, and neither worked out. This picture was taken after hanging out for the first time after eight months of separation (during which we texted and kept in touch). We went hiking, and after long conversations and catching up, it was clear that there might still be more than friendship on the table. Following this reunion, we both began praying separately and asking the Lord to make a way for us to be together. We didn't know at the time that we were praying almost the same prayers for one another.

In November of 2019, we finally confessed that feelings were still there, and that a long distance relationship would be a small price to pay if it meant we could be together. In December of 2019, we made things public, said "I love you," and were finally, openly, head-over-heels in love!

Ashton flew to Savannah for Valentine's Day, and it was the first time we talked about how we knew wanted to get married :).

We dated long-distance for a whole year! Every month either Lydia flew to OK or Ashton flew to GA or TN. It was a year full of FaceTime, teary-eyed plane rides, planning, learning, and so much love!

WE GOT ENGAGED! We had a hike planned for our one year anniversary, and Lydia had no clue it was coming. Ashton's words before he proposed were "It's always been you." The whole day was magical and perfect!

We love that our story has such a foundation of friendship, and that it truly wouldn't have happened so perfectly without the goodness and faithfulness of God! We both live in Cleveland now, and we are so excited to be married so soon!