Ashton + Justin

Set the scene:

Ashton and her good friend, Brenna, spent a Friday evening in May of 2024 filling out their online eHarmony dating profiles over Indian food takeout at the local brewery. It was the first time she had ever dived into digital dating and while she was committed to the process, her expectations were low. After a couple hours of data entry (if you will) and some not-insignificant-dollars spent, she was officially online.

A few months prior, Justin was semi-forced and semi-willing to try a dating site... enter Amy, his cousin. She filled out his eHarmony profile while asking him each question along the way over shared beers in the garage.

Fast-forward to July 17, 2024. Ashton receives a heart (a profile like) at 6:32PM followed by a short-and-sweet "Hi". Her reply: heart and "Hi!" sent back a couple of hours later. Usual introductions and conversations followed the next morning and after a couple days of sharing long messages back-and-forth on the app, we moved our chatting to cell phones. (Looking back, it is wild that 'hi' is the pick-up line that actually got the girl.) Daily texts and long evening phone calls became our norm. It was the sweetest way to get to really know one another and learn so much before ever meeting face-to-face. Our backgrounds were very different: a Houston-raised city boy and a small town farm-raised girl. But our values and faith and humor so easily aligned. Since that first message in July 2024, not a single day has gone by where we have not talked with one another (cue gushy music). 

On August 24, 2024 there was finally a first date in Waco, TX. Justin planned the entire day. We started with coffee at downtown-favorite Dichotomy, moved on to early lunch at Jorge's Cantina, spent the whole afternoon wine tasting at Valley Mills Vineyards and ended with an evening movie of 'Twisters'. Over twelve hours later and neither wanted the date to end, but we said farewell and made plans to meet again soon. Ashton was giddy; Justin was smitten.

Pause here to give a shout out to eHarmony who not only worked for us but our friends Brenna + Parker AND April + Nick. Somebody bottle that matchmaking algorithm and spread it around. The world needs more happy.

Fast-forward again through the fall into holiday season that first year and things were getting serious. He met her family in November; she met his in December. Our close friends had all met by the start of 2025, and the Killeen-->Corsicana commute was getting longer with every trip. Justin worked weeks out of town at the time, so he was not often home. It was clear that a change was coming. Justin officially moved to Corsicana and started working in spring 2025. Our office buildings are three blocks apart downtown.

2025 held so much for us. July 26, 2025 was the highlight when Justin recreated our first date for a surprise engagement. He planned a private tasting in the cellar and proposed; it was perfect. We celebrated with Ashton's parents and our friends, the Pomeroys, at a whiskey bar afterwards. We will never forget calling and facetiming with our loved ones to share the good news. That day was a dream.

Since then we have been planning our wedding weekend in Vermont. Having the ultimate memorable experience with our favorite people in our take on a destination wedding was an easy first decision. Something intimate and fun and full of joy is what we have envisioned this weekend to be for everyone. It has been such a special time to share with one another, and we are treasuring every minute of our engagement as we plan our wedding and life together. Our work is still very important and meaningful in our lives along with our family, friends, community and dogs (+ Luke, the cat). Home is wherever we're together.

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To run it back for everyone:
July 17, 2024 is digital heart day

July 26, 2025 is analog ring day

July 11, 2026 is permanent gotcha day

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To put it simply, we are two eldest children who have waited a long time to finally meet their match. It was absolutely divine timing and worth the wait. Cheers to being right where our feet are for a lifetime of memories together. Wedding weekend is the best launch of all time. 

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End scene. Start forever.