Our Love Story: Dating Part Two.

If you're new, click HERE for the very beginning of our story and HERE for dating part one! 

So the weekend came and down to Inkom we went. Matt lives up a mountain quite a ways and there is ALWAYS snow during the winter! We took advantage of the snow and sledded our lives away! A huge hill, big group of people and only a couple sleds, we're asking for a trip to the ER right? Luckily, no broken arms or legs, I'm sure we had a few bruises here and there but more importantly than that, we all had a bunch of fun! During the weekend, we obviously went sledding a lot, but we also watched movies, played card games, Dance Dance Revolution and ate homemade cinnamon rolls, YUM!

I've always been a big flirt, I just call it being extra friendly, but everyone else tells me it's flirting ;) Anyways, I remember we were all downstairs playing ping-pong. I was destroying Drew and he was sulking because he was losing. So every so often I would pause the game and go give him a hug he would hug me back and smile. Later that day, we were all sitting in the family room playing a game, I was sitting next to Drew and I remember thinking how natural it felt being with him. Maybe this Drew Wright was somebody I was interested in dating.  

The night before we were going to head home, we all gathered in the family room and put a movie on. Drew and I were on the same couch. The movie started and I felt Drew's hand brush against mine and our fingers interlocked. WE WERE HOLDING HANDS! I felt butterflies BIG TIME! I still remember the feeling I got, because it's the same feeling I still get every time he smiles at me, grabs my hand, or kisses my forehead. I was in love from the beginning. 

We were pretty quiet about us for the rest of our time down in Inkom. On the way back to Rexburg, my brother was sitting next to us in the backseat of the car. When he was asleep, Drew and I would sit as close as we could and hold hands but as soon as he woke up, I would let go as fast as I could.

I was determined to keep our relationship a secret...

TO BE CONTINUED...

Our Love Story: Dating Part Three.

*Back in time: The Beginning, Dating Part One, Dating Part Two.*

... So you see, my brother and sister had just recently gotten married (NOT to each other) but one right after the other. I'm talking two weddings in three weeks! Yeah, it was kinda chaotic! But I vaguely remember my mom telling me I wasn't allowed to get married for a while, or maybe I just told myself that to give my poor mom a break from weddings, either way, I didn't want anyone in my family to find out about me and Drew because I was afraid! I liked this guy A LOT and new it would turn into something serious. I was afraid of what they would say, afraid they wouldn't approve, etc. That lasted a whole two days I think...

I remember we went to devotional (with the whole gang) and Drew and I held hands during the WHOLE THING! He still has his notes from the particular devo and you can barely read it because in order to hold my hand, he had to write with his left hand. My brother was with us, and that's when he saw. I figured it was time to come out with it.. I called my mom and downplayed the whole thing BIG TIME!

Me: "So Mom, uhh.. there is this boy named Drew.. and I think I like him."
Mom: "Oh really? Does he like you?"
Me: "I don't know.. but he asked me on a date..."

Yeah, Sorry Mom, I kind of lied to you, I KNEW I liked Drew a lot and he DID like me a lot... But now, over two years later.. I'm sure all is forgiven.

Drew and I went on our first date to Wingers on January 18th 2011. It was flawless. The conversation flowed the entire time. There was just something about him. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. He made me laugh, he listen to me, and I couldn't get enough of him. After dinner, we drove home and sat in his car and talked for hours.. We never ran out of things to say. It was awesome!

We saw each other everyday. Officially we went on another date a week later, and before we left I told my roommate that "tonight is the night." Drew was going to kiss me on that date. We went to Gringos ( a mexican restaurant in Rexburg), drove around awhile, then went back to his apartment complex and did homework downstairs in their lounge area. We were all cuddled up "studying", no really I think we actually were doing homework. Or at least we were trying to..  He wasn't acting like he was about to kiss me, so I started to kiss him on his cheek every once in a while....

...this is where our story differs. He says I kissed him first, but since I'm the one telling the story, I'm right! I drew you a picture..

You know that awkward crack between your cheek and your lips.. Yeah, that's where I kissed him, and I don't consider that our first kiss. Shortly after that controversial kiss, he actually kissed me smack on the lips! I was speechless! For wanting and planning on kissing Drew that night, I wasn't expecting it...

After that date, we went on plenty of other dates! That whole semester was one big party! We went on a couple double dates with our good friends Matt and Brielle, bowling, roller skating (and before you ask, yes we were surrounded my middle schoolers), movie theaters, down to Inkom, dinners, homework parties, etc. Not to mention, since we were across the parking lot from each other we saw each other every waking second we could.

As fun as that winter semester had been, it had to come to an end. I was going to school year round, so I would be returning to BYU-I for the next semester.. But Drew wasn't on track. He was moving down to Inkom to work. (Inkom is a little over an hour away from BYU-I.) But before he moved, he came with me to Washington to meet my family, Where, ahem... he asked my dad for permission to marry me! Of course my Dad said yes. I know it was hard for him, I'm absolutely, without a doubt, his favorite child.. so he was pretty sad to be losing me.. right Dad?

After an amazing week in Washington, we drove back to Idaho. We went on our last date before the move. After dinner, we came back to my apartment, talked for a minute and then said our goodbyes. Drew gave me a hug and a kiss and left. I was in tears...

TO BE CONTINUED...

Our Love Story: Engaged

After a week of being apart, (the hardest week of my life) On Friday (April 22) I rode the Salt Lake Express shuttle down to Pocatello. Drew picked me up at the bus stop. Seriously, I remember it like a movie scene. I waited in line to get off the shuttle, I saw Drew, we both smiled and started running (almost in slow motion) towards each other then embraced in a loving hug. Can you see it? After our romantic movie scene, Drew took me to dinner at Wingers. If you remember from this post, we went to Wingers on our first date. Wingers will always have a special place in our hearts. {totes presh right?}Dinner was great! I'm one of those people that orders the same thing every time we go out to eat. I find something I like and stick to it. I know, boring, but I always enjoy my dinner, so there. 

After dinner, I thought he was aimlessly driving around, but I found out later he was really stalling. We drove around neighborhoods in Pocatello looking at house after house. He actually worked on one of the subdivisons doing excavation work, so he was pretty proud to show me what he was done, and I was happy to see it! I was proud of him, and I just liked being with him. We love driving around looking at houses... we dream about what our future house will look like. On our way back to Inkom, he took the back roads home and drove up the mountain near his house. We sat at the top and watched the sunset. (I know, another movie scene, right?)

While we were watching the sunset, he started telling me how much he loved me and how he didn't ever want to live without me. He said my name and I looked over and that's when he got down on one knee and opened the ring box. He said, "Ashley, will you marry me and be my eternal companion?" I was speechless! I didn't say anything for a good 30 seconds. It felt like a dream and all I could do was smile. Finally, a YES came out!  He was about to put the ring on my hand then I realized he was holding the wrong hand. So I whispered, "That's the wrong hand" (He was a little bit nervous). But he put the ring on my finger and voila, we were engaged!

We made our way down the mountain to his parent's house where they were waiting to congratulate us. Of course I called my parents and told them the news!

And just like that Drew went from being my boyfriend to my fiance...

It would be a long 3 months and 28 days until we would be married. In the meanwhile I went to school up in Rexburg, driving down to Inkom every chance I got. Don't tell my Mom, but sometimes I would even skip class to go down. I was young and in love, give me a break!

... All I could think about was the day I would be sealed to Drew and become his wife, Ashley Wright.

TO BE CONTINUED...

  {Photography done by Maria Wood! She's the best!}

Our Love Story: The Big Day.

Being apart from Drew and going to school at the same time made the {123} days between the day we got engaged and our wedding day feel like an eternity! On August 18th my parents drove to Inkom to pick me up. They had a hotel reserved in Logan (about an hour away) and I was going to stay with them that night. I said goodbye and goodnight to Drew. The next time I would see him, we would be walking into the temple to be sealed to each other for forever!

I woke up EARLY that next morning. My awesome cousin Kim (also my hair dresser) stayed in Logan the night before as well and was so gracious to wake up at 5 in the morning with me and get me all ready! 

I arrived at the Logan Temple with my parents and waited for Drew. All the nervous/anxious feelings went away as soon as I saw him walk up. The Holy Ghost confirmed to me once again that I was doing the right thing. I was supposed to be marrying Drew. 

The temple was absolutely beautiful! We were surrounded by close family and friends as Drew and I promised to love each other for forever. Our marriage can be eternal! I know that if we follow the God's Commandments and honor the covenants we have made with each other and with the Lord, we can be together forever - even AFTER we die! What a happy thing! We said yes and just like that I became Ashley Wright. Drew's Wife. I married my best friend! That peaceful, joyful, happy feeling I had at that moment stayed with me throughout the rest of the day! It was simply perfect. 

We came out of the temple and were greeted by SO many family and friends. Gosh we are blessed! We spent the next couple of hours taking pictures! My cheeks hurt from smiling so much, but I just couldn't help it! This was the happiest day of my life. 

Our photographer did such a great job at capturing the pure joy and love we were feeling that day! We can't thank her enough!

And that was the beginning of our life together. On August 19th, 2011 we became a family. I chose to marry Drew and that has been the best decision I have ever made. 

... and just because we have some awesome shots of people while they were waiting for us to come out, you get to enjoy more pictures...

(Photography by Maria Wood)