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OUR STORY

Ashley and Austin met while Ashley was student teaching in the Fall 2006.  Ashley student taught under Austin's sister Amy.  While building the cooperating teacher/student teacher relationship, Amy suggested that Ashley meet her younger brother who is about the same age as her.  So they met for the first time at an Olathe North Football game the Friday after Labor Day weekend.  Ashley had all intentions to graduate in a few months from Kansas State University and head straight back to Texas where she is originally from.  Austin had all intentions to move out to San Diego, CA to work at Rockstar (video game programming company) and start a new life out there.  Those were their own plans, but GOD has other plans!  At first, Ashley seemed too "praise God" and a "spaz" for Austin.  Later in the semester about October, Ashley and Austin were hanging out at Tanner's Bar and Grill watching the KSU/Nebraska football game with Amy's family and Ashley's friends.  They had ice cream after the game and played the game Apples to Apples at Ashley's place with other friends.  That's when the love started to grow for eachother.  The following Friday night they went on their first date to Applebee's and later to a Haunted House.  The next day Austin invited Ashley out to meet some more friends and go out to a party.  The party was reserved at NV club and we had our first kiss waiting in line to get in.  That following Monday night was Monday Night Football and the Dallas Cowboys were playing the NY Giants.  Austin met up with Ashley at Tanner's again.  When he saw that she was sad because the Cowboys just lost, he cheered her up by asking her to be his girlfriend! And the rest is history...... 

ABOUT ASHLEY AND AUSTIN

THE BRIDE

Ashley Nicole
Born: June 5, 1983
Parents: Doug and Janet Sanders
Born and Raised in Plano, TX
Graduated HS: Plano East Senior High 2001
Graduated College: Kansas State University 2006, Secondary Education
Employed: Substitute Teacher in 3 different school districts in the Kansas City area
Favorite Teams: Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Texas Rangers, Kansas State Wildcats, Texas Longhorns

THE GROOM

Austin Michael
Born: November 29, 1982
Parents: Bob and Shirley Reed
Raised in Turner and later Lenexa, KS
Graduated HS: Shawnee Mission West High School 2001
Graduated College: Full Sail University in Orlando, FL, 3-D computer video games/architecture
Employed: HNTB in Kansas City, 3-D architecture specialist
Favorite Teams: University of Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas State Wildcats, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals

THE PROPOSAL

Ashley's brother, Travis, helped set it up.  Travis found a website called letterboxing.org.  Apparently, tons of people across the nation hide plastic boxes with stamps and a little notepad inside. In order to find it you have to follow the directions like a scavenger hunt.  Austin, Ashley and Michelle found one in Flower Mound earlier that day.  Ashley was so excitied to find one she wanted to find more.  Travis told Ashley there was great letterbox hidden at Bob Woodruff Park.  They met up at Target so Travis could give the directions to Ashley.  Austin suggested they buy a kite and fly it that day because it was such a beautiful day!  Ashley and Austin drove to the park and flew kites for a while.  Austin then turned and asked Ashley if she was ready to look for the letterbox.  Ashley was ready and excitied.  Ashley followed the directions precisely.  It lead to a picnic table chained up to the dock on the lake.  She looked under the table for her next clue.  Ashley was excitied because it was a well thought out letterbox.  She read "Go to the pair of benches near the fountain and beware of your surroundings."  Ashley was confused because it didn't say anything else specific.  She couldn't figure out how her brother found it so easily.  Austin told her to sit down and try to think about the clue.  Just then Austin came over her left shoulder on his knee holding up a ring.  Austin proposed to Ashley crying and trying to fight back the tears.  Ashley at first was confused of why Austin was crying then a split second later she saw the ring and was surprised!  Ashley didn't cry because she couldn't believe it.  All she could say was "ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" and then of course the answer was "YES!"

After the moment of excitement, Ashley was eager to get back home and tell her parents thinking they have no idea. She was sad because she just saw all her friends for lunch and she wouldn't get to show off the ring to them.  Ashley and Austin drove back to Ashley's house.  Ashley covered her hand as she saw her mom and aunt walk out to the mailbox.  The 1st thing Ashley asked her mom was "Where's dad?"  Her mom replied "Inside".  When Ashley opened up the door....."SURPRISE!!!"  All her family and friends from lunch were there!  They all knew, including her parents!