Mike and Ashley’s engagement session was a such a great evening spent talking about their marriage to come, and relishing over the sweet season they’re in. Burke Lake was the perfect place to celebrate just that. While dating, they would often spend evenings along the lake, talking about anything and everything over a picnic. As the sun set over the water, it was a joy to witness the kindness and gentleness they so easily extend to each other. In their own words, here’s their story:

Where they met: Mike and I first met in high school during our freshman year. We were great friends all throughout high school but didn’t start dating until the beginning of our senior year. On our first date, Mike surprised me by picking me up from work and taking me to a soccer field nearby. We went down to the soccer field and he got out a blanket, hot apple cider, and an Ipod speaker. We spent the evening talking about anything and everything that came to our minds. Finally, at the end of our date Mike gave me a sweet poem and told me to read it aloud. As I reached the end of the note, it said “Will you dance with me?”. We danced to ‘Take Me There’ by Rascal Flatts and that has been our song ever since.

Their dream date: Our dream date would be swimming with dolphins in Hawaii or relaxing on the beach.

How Mike Proposed: Mike proposed in the Hahn Horticulture Garden on the Virginia Tech campus. From freshman year to senior year of college, the garden is a place we have visited numerous times & built many memories over the years. Whether it was taking a walk down the path, sitting & talking in the gazebo, or hanging up the hammock nearby; the garden holds sweet memories that we will always cherish.

How it happened

The day seemed to be like any other day. Mike and I were both busy that morning but had planned to have a lunch date and attend a fall festival later that evening. After lunch, Mike said he needed to head back for a meeting (which wasn’t out of the ordinary), so I dropped him off and headed back to my apartment. About 15 minutes later I heard a knock at the door. My BEST FRIEND, Aubrie, was standing at the door with the biggest smile on her face. She goes to school 2 hours away, so I was very surprised and excited to see her standing at my doorstep! She handed me the most beautiful flowers and the first of many sweet notes from Mike throughout that afternoon.

One of my other best friends, Adrienne, eventually met up with us. We spent the next few hours talking & catching up. I loved having two of my two of my favorite people in the same place with me. The next few hours flew by and it was time to get ready, which I then found out we only had 20 minutes before we needed to leave! So Adrienne and Aubrie (A.K.A the Glam Squad) helped me get ready for the evening.We finished in just enough time and headed out the door.

We arrived at the Horticulture Garden where Aubrie and Adrienne told me to follow the signs down the path. As I walked down the garden path, I could not contain my excitement. It was BEAUTIFUL! Lights hung between the trees and sweet signs that held the 1 Corinthians 13 verses were standing along the path. I saw Mike in the distance and wanted so badly to sprint through the grass to meet him, but I contained my excitement and continued following the signs. I reached the gazebo, which was strung with twinkly lights and pictures of Mike and I throughout the years.

As I met Mike, he gently took my hands and shared some of the most precious words that I have ever heard. He then got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife! Of course I said YES!! He then gave me the final letter, which we read together while taking in the sweetness of the moment. Some of our closest friends came out from behind the trees and gathered around us, hugging and congratulating us. We felt so loved and celebrated to be surrounded by some of the wonderful people in our lives and have continued to feel blessed as we walk through this season of engagement and into a life of marriage!

What are you most excited about for your wedding day? We are very excited to begin our new life together as a married couple. We are excited to be surrounded by the people we love and celebrate coming together as one in Christ.