Ashley

They say friendship is a wonderful way to start, Ryan and I were friends first. We met in 2008 at East Coast Dodgeball (yes John, here is your shout-out!) and we developed a casual friendship over the years - sharing experiences and outings with friends such as skydiving, birthday parties, trips to Monmouth Park and of course Dodgeball events.  We wouldn't be a 'modern age' couple if social networking didn't have a significant impact on our lives either - a few weeks after I moved to Maryland Ryan reached out to me with a Facebook message. Never underestimate the power of a simple "Hello". One "hello" got us talking again, like nothing had changed, and that one "hello" was the catalyst for our dating relationship to unfurl.  Some may say we're in a whirlwind romance, however with Ryan and I it feels more like we've found the other half to make us whole. Once we started meeting each others friends and family the more we believed that the other was the one to truly complete us. We shared our favorite things with the other, I dragged Ryan to a concert, an Orioles/Yankees game, a Nationals/Diamondbacks game, the U.S. Mint and so many others. Ryan shared the fun of Atlantic City, the Letsche love of the ocean and his passion for WWE with me (I promise I'm trying to learn the names!)... I'll even admit that Ryan has found it in his heart to humor me and my combined holiday from 2012 - Cinco-de-Derby! He put on my stupid hat before the night was over and even found a bourbon and tequila concoction to make me happy. The proposal was something straight out of a movie. Ryan created a beautiful book that not only chronicled our story, but did it in such a way that it showed where we are, where we came from and left some room to show where we're going. Ryan went and got us lost in the middle of a corn maze and pulled the book out of this bag he had been carrying. As he had me reading the story he got behind me guiding me through the book, then as I got to the page where he had written "Will You Marry Me?" he pulled out this beautiful Precious Moments figuring that was holding the ring. And then - after we finally got out of the maze and headed home I found out Ryan with the help of our family and friends pulled together a surprise engagement party! It was absolutely wonderful to have so many of our family and friends travel from NJ, VA and the local people from MD come to celebrate our special day with us. It was truly a day to remember - full of laughter and joy. Ryan is truly and amazing person - and I am honestly blest to have him in my life.    - Ashley