A CT ENGAGEMENT STORY :: ASHLEY + JOSH

Well everyone… it finally HAPPENED! I am going to be the future Mrs. Joshua Blodgett and I could not be more thrilled to marry my support system, partner in crime, and my best friend! As a little girl I would put on my mom’s wedding gown and run around, lining up my Beanie Babies to perform wedding ceremonies over and over (I knew I wanted to plan weddings from the get go!) and dreaming of my future husband. And now it’s all happening and it’s so surreal. My handsome soulmate walked into my life and has now made all of my dreams into reality. I cannot wait to marry this man, but first let me tell you how it all began. 

Going away to school in South Carolina I always said I was going to meet myself a southern gentleman who would sweep me off my feet and I did one hell of a job! Joshua and I met in college where we were in the same managerial accounting class together. He was quiet and shy but I still thought he was cute from afar. Come to find out a few years later he would tell me he knew from the first day of class he was in love with me and that he’d marry me one day (SWOON!!) We also were both a part of Greek life so we were involved in a lot of the same extra circulars and social events.
 
That fateful November evening in 2013, at one of his fraternity social events, we reconnected and completely hit it off! Being a millennial, I wasn’t sure how everything would play out as dating is NOT the same, but my man pulled through! If you know me, you know I am a crazy Christmas person…literally one of those that has a tree up all year and lives for Santa season! On our first date, at the beginning of December, he was a complete gentleman and super traditional, which was such a breath of fresh air.  He also managed to take me on the most wonderful date without even knowing how crazy perfect it would be.

He picked me up (even opened the car door for me!) and we went out for dinner. Joshua had a surprise up his sleeve and we took a trip through the musically synced Christmas lights spectacular, and OMG guys…I felt my heart leaping out of my chest! I can honestly say that I think I knew he was the one from that moment on, but it got even better from there. Afterwards, it was still pretty early, and he asked if I wanted to go see a movie, of course the only thing I was interested in (as I am still a 5-year-old kid at heart) was Disney’s Frozen.

Feeling a little embarrassed, I said sure but there was nothing in particular I wanted to see, trying to save some face as this was our first date. He leaned over and said “You want to go see Frozen? I heard it’s supposed to be cute.” Like I’m sorry but was he in inside my brain?! Literal happiness flowing through my veins for the rest of the night, of course ending with sweetest kiss and I was floating on cloud nine for a solid week after that.

Fast forwarding a few years here we are today, living separately, which has not been a cake walk for us. Recently, Joshua got an amazing new job opportunity in New Jersey so we are going through the struggle of long (but not too far) distance. He continues to love and support me even though he’s not here during the week and he still manages to make my life full of romance and magic from 2.5 hours away. Every Monday he leaves me love letters in hidden places like my car or on my lunchbox and I continue to fall all over again. I knew that I wanted to marry him for some time now and looking at our future, I was hoping that our forever would start soon. Low and behold I didn’t know how soon that would be!

So now for all the juicy deets!! As Joshua now lives in NJ during the week, we didn’t get the chance to celebrate Valentines day until the weekend, so we had a little adventure planned to spend some time together. The evening began with a quick trip for a few beers and couple laughs and then on to a dinner reservation at my new favorite restaurant, Barra! We sat down at a window-side table (which was so romantic as it was snowing!) and enjoyed a wonderful meal and a little bubbly to celebrate the occasion.
 
While we were paying the check, he asked me to go out for a walk in the snow once we got home, which honestly seemed normal as he loves the outdoors, so I naturally agreed and we started our journey back to the house. As a quick sidebar and moment of embarrassment…I ran upstairs and changed into my PJ’s so I wouldn’t get my nice clothes all wet (little did I know what was about to happen!!) As we wandered around in the winter wonderland recalling different memories and just genuinely being in the moment together… Joshua stopped, grabbed my hand and spun me around.
 
Confused I thought I was about to get hit with a snowball or something, he reached into his pocket and got down on one knee. As he pulled out a tiny box, at first I honestly thought it was a joke, but then he began a beautiful speech that just took my breath away. The moment was so intimate and magical; it truly was so incredibly picturesque. Of course I screamed yes and the rest is left for happily ever after!

Now the beauty and fun of planning and design can begin as we embark on this journey together!! It still feels so surreal and I keep catching myself staring at my hand imagining our future as husband and wife. I cannot wait to spend forever with my handsome fiancé!

Thank you so much for reading our special love story and I cannot wait to share with you this amazing experience of planning my own wedding!