WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!

This site has all the info you need to come celebrate with us in Raleigh, NC.

Swiping Right

Written by Ashley

Dave and I matched on a dating app (thanks Hinge!) my first week back from Los Angeles.  We quickly bonded over our careers in education AND he laughed at all of my jokes (still does).  I soon found out that, by sheer coincidence, I had been assigned to Dave's elementary school (!!) and that was the start of our happily ever after.  I've loved working with Dave and seeing him be an incredible administrator at Brassfield (the surprise coffees and treats on my desk are an added perk).   Within a month of dating, I introduced Dave to my family doing what we love: watching a Bills game at our favorite dive bar.   He didn't waiver with my dad's handshake (if you know you know, lol) and kept up with the Coakleys, so obviously he was a keeper.  Dave introduced me to Carter and Blakely at one of his favorite places: a pumpkin patch (so basic, I know).  Of course they won me over right away and have had my heart since.   The last couple of years have been a dream and our days are filled with lots of love and laughter.  I couldn't be happier that I swiped right!

The Proposal

Written by Dave

When Ashley and I first met, she commented on how beautifully decorated my townhome was - I had many pictures of the kids and my family (and a few live, laugh, love signs).  When we were buying a home together, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to take some family photos that included her, and that was my "in" for the proposal.  Our photographer, Libby, was the Spanish teacher at Brassfield and had taken pictures of me and the kids over the years.  I met with Libby to discuss the photos and let her in on my plan.  We came up with a code phrase ("These look beautiful!") which would be my signal to pop the question.  Fast forward to the morning of the pictures...of course I was nervous.  I took the engagement ring out of the box and had it in my pocket so that Ashley didn't suspect anything.  So, we started the photoshoot with pictures of the four of us, then just Ashley and the kids, then just me and the kids.  Finally (which seemed like an eternity but was really only 15 minutes), it was time for me and Ashley to take some together.  After several snaps, Libby said the code phrase - I hesitated at first because I blacked out and forgot that was the cue!  But I ended up on one knee telling Ashley how much she meant to me and how I knew that she was the one the day we met.  And now the rest is history (or herstory).  I am so happy that I met Ashley and I feel like it was perfect timing for us both. I can't wait for many, many more years of life together!

A special thanks to Elizabeth Alice Photography for the beautiful proposal photos and Becka Stone Photography for our amazing engagement photos!