As Jason likes to tell it, we met the "old-fashioned way"… Hinge.
It was January 2024. Ashley had recently moved back to Raleigh after ten years in Chicago, and Jason was finishing his MBA at Carolina. A couple of right swipes later, Jason suggested a perfectly reasonable first date: meeting at the airport and flying to Puerto Rico. Ashley, never one to pass up an opportunity for verbal sparring, happily played along—until she started wondering whether he was actually booking flights.
In the interest of meeting a stranger somewhere with an easy exit, we settled on City Market Sushi. Dinner went well enough that Ashley agreed to ONE drink at Watts & Ward afterward. This established an enduring theme in our relationship: Jason suggesting one more stop, and Ashley trying to maintain her early bedtime routine.
If you know us, you know we’re a classic golden retriever and black cat pairing. Jason has boundless energy, knows someone everywhere we go, and makes a living finding ways to say “yes” as a real estate developer. Ashley brings the itinerary, the discipline, and, as an HR director, the ability to deliver an empathetic “no.” We’re also a proudly divided household: Ashley is an NC State Wolfpacker, and Jason is a Carolina Tar Heel. We balance each other out—though you’ll never catch us wearing the other’s school logo.
Tennis is common ground. Ashley has long loved watching it; Jason has spent his life playing it. As Ashley started learning, we discovered that Jason’s experience on the court and Ashley’s preference for being in charge were best supported by a neutral third-party instructor. Outsourcing: good for the backhand, great for the relationship!
In June 2026, our love of travel took us to Mallorca. Ashley suspected a proposal might be coming, though Jason's nerves of steel gave nothing away. On a sunset sail around the bay of Palma, Jason asked, and Ashley said yes. The ring was everything she’d hoped for and so was the person holding it.
Now, we’re bringing our love of tennis and travel to our wedding weekend in Newport. More than anything, we’re excited to have our favorite people together in one place. We know getting there takes time, effort, and travel, and it means so much to us that you’ll be part of it. We can’t wait to celebrate with you. Jason will probably suggest one more drink. Ashley may even say yes.