This is such an exciting wedding for us! Usually we get emotional at least a little bit during weddings but this one – I am 99% sure there are going to be a few tears. We’ve known Ashley since around kindergarten/first grade and have gone to school together for years and years.
Angela, Kaitlyn, and I were reminiscing about grade school and thinking about this upcoming wedding when Angela remembered this vague memory of Ashley’s first birthday party. They rode in a limo to a place called Clara’s Closet where you could play dress up. Angela had on a flowery dress and pretended to pick the flowers off her dress and throw them like a flower girl and Ashley dressed up as the bride. It’s hilarious how life has led us to coordinating their wedding and I can’t believe that there’s this history together from the time we were still playing dress up for a wedding to now actually seeing the real wedding happen!
We’re so happy to introduce Ashley and Evan on our blog today! They’re sharing a little bit about their relationship story and eachother.
What was the first thing you noticed about the bride?
I was facebook stalking her after my sister tried to set us up for Farmhouse Idol.
This was her profile picture. Obviously the first thing I noticed were the pom poms and cheerleading outfit.
What was the first thing you noticed about the groom?
Hmm. I first noticed that he was so handsome and tall – I was a little nervous to talk to him. But then I also realized how much of a gentleman he was. I’m pretty sure the first time he picked me
up at HSS dorms he held the door open and was so polite – I even remember the outfit he was wearing. Then after hanging out a little bit I started to feel more comfortable and realized we had a similar sense of humor and it just felt like the right match.
How did you meet and how did he propose?
It all started our Freshman year at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. An Alpha Phi from Omaha and a Farmhouse triplet from Sumner. Who would have known that our paths would cross and eventually become one? As Husker games passed and the year went on, Emily (Evan’s sister) so fortunately was given the task of finding her “older” brother a date to a dance. Being an Alpha Phi also, what better option than to ask a sorority sister? After one formal and a few hangouts later, it was pretty apparent Emily did a great job of playing match maker! Opposites really do attract – the hardworking farm boy and agriculture enthusiast found it humorous and extremely entertaining to teach the UNL dance team girl what it means to come from a successful central Nebraska farm and that yes, in fact, you do have to work with the cows from inside the fence…and no, you can’t take the freshly born calves home as a pet.
After a few trips home to Sumner to “study abroad” and learn the ropes of the farm with the help of Greg and Alec educating along the way, I was hooked and our families were already crazy about one another.
Evan survived his first family trip with Ashley’s family to Mexico. With zip lining, tequila tasting, and deep sea fishing under our belts (and surviving a golf trip alone with Ashley’s dad), we knew college was soon coming to an end and we would have to make a game plan.
Fast forward to October 2016… Evan had a secret plan to propose. On a casual weekend trip back to Sumner, Evan convincingly persuaded me that his friend from high school was coming over to take some test photos of the family barn. What I thought was a walk out to the barn to get some treats for the horse turned into the most beautiful and picturesque proposal with Evan smiling down on one knee and asking “Will you marry me?” (Also written on the chalkboard behind him to reiterate to me that yes, this is actually happening!) Extremely surprised, stunned and at a literal loss for words, “Yes!” barely escaped from my mouth as I froze in excitement about 5 feet away. From that special and memorable moment, happily our next chapter began! From Kansas, to Virginia, and now countless drives home from Minneapolis, we’ve survived being miles apart and driving halfway across the country (mostly on Evan’s end..some of us were just passengers). We are so excited that we made it through all the ups and downs of the last few years and are so eager to see where the next chapter takes us!
Where are you going for your honeymoon?
We are going to Maui, Hawaii for our honeymoon! We chose it because it was exactly what we’re looking for – relaxing on a beach with optional adventures and great food. We’re excited to experience all the island has to offer!
What is your favorite vacation you took together?
Our favorite vacation we took together would have to be to Napa Valley. It was just the two of us and it was so relaxing. I was convinced Evan was going to propose (little did I know he would about a month or two later). But regardless, we had such a great time wine tasting and taking in the scenery. We stayed at this quaint little hotel just outside of Napa and would usually end the day sipping wine and eating cheese on the deck. It was really special.
What are your favorite shared hobbies?
One hobby that we’ve grown to share is cooking! We love trying new recipes. We also like going to sporting events in the MSP area – Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves. For date night we usually like to try new restaurants in Minneapolis or if we stay in, we like to cook, pick a movie and sip some wine. We’re pretty easy going.
What is your favorite restaurant and dish at that restaurant?
Ashley: This is a tough one. I’d probably have to say Blue Sushi is my favorite when we come back to Omaha. I love their mango crab rangoons and Tidal Wave!!
Evan: Dad’s Rib eyes or any thing that comes out of Mother Teresa’s Kitchen.
What song is your all-time favorite jam?
Ashley: Hmmm… I can’t decide..
Evan: Anything from the 90’s can be found on my play list.
Tell us something sweet about the groom!
Ashley: I would have to say our Pinning in college was a time that Evan made me feel so special and loved. He wrote the sweetest letter and it was so great to hear our friends speak! I also loved during our marriage prep retreat when we had to write letters to each other. It was something we rarely do but it challenged both of us and I remember Evan’s letter made me cry 🙂 happy tears of course.
Tell us something funny about the bride!
Evan: The first time I took her to my hometown she was asking lots of questions about going to a small town and what it was like. The one thing that stuck out was she compared it to studying abroad. It’s one story we always tell friends and family and an ongoing joke.
What is one of the best memories you’ll have from being engaged?
Ashley: My bachelorette party in Scottsdale! My maids of honor Jess and Lauren led me to believe we all got into the airport at the same time. So when they picked me up in the all black mini van and we headed out to our rental house, I was completely surprised to find the entire house was decorated perfectly down to every last detail!! They ended up getting in at the crack of dawn that morning and decorated all day. In general, that was probably one of the best weekends I can remember! Having all of my favorite girls in one spot was so memorable. We laughed a ton and they all made me feel so loved and spoiled! I can’t thank them all enough, I will seriously remember that forever!
Tell us about your pets!
Ashley: Izzy! She’s a black toy poodle and lives with my mom and dad. She is so adorable but has some very strange tendencies. She barks at sneezes, brooms/vacuums and if anyone goes to adjust the curtains at my parents house. She’s a weirdo but we love her.
Evan: Lots of cows if they are considered pets. Growing up we showed cows and hogs in 4-H. Alfalfa, Darla, Floyd, Yogi, Sting, and Mo to name a few.
Photos by Matthew Schueller Photography
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