Ashley and I met in our early twenties. I was working security at a downtown bar and one night I caught a glimpse of the pretty new hostess. I knew right away I had to meet her. We dated briefly and stayed close for a number of years but she was still going to school and I had no idea what I was doing with my life.

Ashley knew fairly early that we had something special but I was too young and dumb to see it. We eventually went our separate ways, lost contact, and made our own mistakes.

I never stopped thinking about her and in 2018, on a particularly frigid Thanksgiving Day I was overwhelmed with those thoughts. I reached out to her using a phone number I was certain would no longer be in service. Miraculously, she responded.

Three months later we were in each other's arms again. The love and laughter was immediate, as if no time had passed at all. Having the benefit of a bit more age and wisdom I knew I would never let her go again.

Rick proposed October 8, 2021 at a rental house in Big Bear, Ca. We were sitting by the fireplace on a very cold night cuddling on Lucifer. I can't believe he hid the ring box ,under my side of the bed that weekend!