THIS LOVE IS OURS | A YEAR TO GO | PERSONAL | ASHTON KELLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

With our wedding date being exactly ONE YEAR away today, I felt it was only fitting to finally blog our engagement! Here we go..

On April 4th, 2015, Dave got up early and went into the office. In hindsight, I should have known that something was up. It was a Saturday and that was a little odd. Being the girl that I am, I was getting ready and distracted myself with make-up, hair, and an outfit for the day.

It was our best friend’s, Erin’s, birthday. She and Bob had planned a super fun photo scavenger hunt that would take place throughout Baltimore. Each team had a mascot sock monkey and a list of tasks. To receive points for the tasks, we had to take pictures of our actions with our sock monkey friend. Our team monkey was pink and glitzy. I’m pretty sure that was planned, also. :)

And so, the teams split up. We branched out into the city to conquer our score cards and it was so much fun! From doing puzzles, interacting with strangers, sticking spoons on our noses, and more.. the afternoon was full of laughter and silly things. We were having a blast! Halfway through the day, we were all due to report to Waterfront Park for a chance to participate in activity that could win our teams bonus points.

We stood in a circle in the park as Erin and her husband pulled out a stack of Easter eggs and a portable boom box. They began rounds of “Name That Tune” and we all started to guess. Each time a song came on, someone would declare the title and Erin would come over and hand them an egg. Inside the egg-bonus points!!

I love music, so I was intent on trying to get one of these eggs for my team. Everyone was so fast, though!! Finally, I hear the familiar tune of a Taylor Swift song (y’all know that didn’t take me long!!), and I guess!

“THIS LOVE IS OURS!! It’s OURS!!,” I yelled. I immediately look back at Dave in surprise, and add, “How on EARTH did I get that one before you?” And yes, I may have shoved him.. a little..

He laughs and steps back, saying nothing. Erin approaches me with a golden egg, but doesn’t step close enough to me for me to reach out and grab it. She simply says, “don’t you want to know what’s in here?”

Forced to step out a bit, I do, and I retrieve the egg from my best friend. I pop it open and bang.. THERE’S A RING! Insert shock and awe, here. Dave joins me in the middle of the circle, a circle of some of our very best friends, and drops to his knee. It was an emotional few minutes, ending in a confident YES!

I look over at Erin and say, “BUT IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY!!” 

The day was followed up with lots of hugs, celebratory drinks, and staring at my finger. It was a truly perfect day. Furthermore, I gained a truly perfect fiance. :)

So now, we are a year away. One year from being man and wife, from the alter, from celebrating this huge commitment with our friends and family.. from starting the rest of our lives, as one. Words can’t truly express how excited I am to marry someone who is so good, so supportive, and makes life so fun. I am a lucky girl, and in one year, I will be even more fortunate. Here’s to the next 365 days of being engaged.. may we enjoy every single moment until we say, “I do!”

– Ash

Special thanks to Bob and Erin Keefer (Erin, especially for giving up her birthday event to make this happen), and Bailey Musiol for snapping these photos.