Ashley & Sean have known each other for a little over 4 years (4 years, 3 months, and counting to be exact).

This location for their engagement session was so fun because it was special to them and told their story! They spend most weekends and weeknights at the softball field. Sean plays church / rec league throughout the year, and is also on a tournament league that travels on the weekends. Ashley doesn’t miss a game, and ends up being the scorekeeper for all of the games. This is their "hobby" together.

Ashley— “On our first date, Sean took me to downtown Seneca and showed me around and gave me all the history and his favorite spots. There was a park bench there that we sat and talked for hours. Now, we take numerous walks with our dog, Zara to downtown Seneca since we live so close!”

Keep reading to find out more of their story, plus see our favorites from their session!!

A little about them…

Sean and Ashley both work with the Oconee County government. Sean works in Facilities Maintenance, meaning he gets to work with his hands every day fixing odds and ends (from building walls and offices, to painting, etc.).

Ashley had the pleasure of working for the Assessor’s Office, and absolutely loved her time there getting to meet so many amazing people. She will start in a new department at the Clerk of Court, and she is excited to continue growing her career within Oconee County.

What was life like before you met compared to now?

For Ashley, life was crazy. She was doing all the things - whether it was doing something with her friends, working, going to college, church, or traveling. She was preparing to move to Texas for a job, and was thriving! Life for her now has settled. It has become a little more calm. She has learned to slow down and enjoy the little things, the people and family around her, and be more in the moment.

For Sean, well he says, “It is about the same for me.”

How did you meet? And what was your first impressions of each other?

We met online through a dating app. Ashley told one of her best friends, “YOLO” and that she had no hopes of this going anywhere considering all the previous fails of dates she had, LOL. Her first impression once meeting him, “Ooh he’s cute, and look at his crazy socks! I think I may actually like him.”

His first impression once meeting her, “Ash was crazy to drive all that way to just hang out.”

When you first met, what attracted you most?

Ashley— “He was gentle, and caring. He instantly made me laugh. It’s like we had been best friends for forever.”

Sean— “Her smile.”

Who said I love you first?

Sean did, with Ashley following after.

What did you do on your first date?

Ashley lived in Athens, GA at the time. She drove up and met Sean at Sweet Spoon in Seneca. They first ate there. Ashley broke a lot of rules on her “first” date— like immediately getting in a car with someone she barely knew in a completely different state - thank goodness it worked out, lol!

Ashley got in Sean’s Tahoe and he drove them to Clemson University. Ash had never been to this area before, so Sean was so excited to show her his hometown and his love for Clemson football. Funny enough, his vehicle broke down when they were at Clemson University. So, Ashley met his stepdad, Johnny, and got to ride in the back of his car while they went to get gas and back to their home, where he was kind enough to lend Sean his truck so they could continue their date.

Ashley— “Oh yeah, Sean’s vehicle got towed back to this house. Sean felt so bad this happened on our first date, but honestly, it could not have gone better and I am so happy it turned out this way.”

Sean then took Ashley to downtown Seneca and walked her around downtown, showed her all the things, told her about all the history. Then they sat on a park bench for hours, just talking about life and goals, an everything else, including Ashley telling Sean she was interested in moving to Texas for a career!

Ashley— “I was so sad that we were probably nearing the end of our date, because I was having the BEST time! But, Sean asked if I wanted to go see the newest Disney movie that had come out. So, off to the movies where we watched Dory 3!”

Ash still was not ready to leave… and it was time for dinner. They ended up going out for Mexican food.

Ashley— “I paid because I started to feel bad he had been paying for everything up until this point… and we had done a lot. We ate so many chips and salsa and sat and talked forever. Sean drove me back to my car which was still sitting at Sweet Spoon.

The night didn’t end though… we sat on the curb next to my car and talked for HOURS. I mean until past midnight. Right before I got in my car to leave, we both saw two shooting stars in the sky and Sean told me to make a wish. I wished that I was able to see Sean again, and hoped this wasn’t our last date. Sean said he didn’t wish for anything - LOL (classic man statement)! It ended up being the PERFECT first date, and I was so glad it was not my last date with Sean!”

Favorite thing you like to do together...

We love to go to sporting events together.

Number one physical quality

Sean—”Your petite hands / fingers.”

Ashley— “Sean’s biceps.”

Number one character trait

Sean— “Her Ambition.”

Ashley— “His Gentleness.”

What has been the biggest challenge you've faced as a couple? And how did you overcome that challenge?

We are complete opposites when it comes to pretty much every area of life. We have had to learn how each other communicates, how each other shows love and affection, and how each other serves the other person. It’s not always easy, but learning and being open to vulnerability with each other has helped overcome these challenges and be a better us.

How has your fiancé changed you?

Ashley— “Sean always has me looking at the positive outlook of things. I get down on myself a lot and he is always there to be the first to cheer me on, and show me the light. He has taught me to slow down, to enjoy the little things, the things around me, and to rest in stillness.. In the quiet.”

Sean— “She makes me more aware of any situation I find myself presented to. She becomes my first priority in the decisions I make for myself and us as a couple.”

Where do you see yourselves in 10 years?

We see ourselves having a loving home full of kids and big family dinners, hosting at our house— preferably with a lot of land. A home that is grounded with love and happiness. A home that shines Jesus’ light. Sean sees himself in a Supervisor role of some kind that is able to provide for our future family. Ash would love to be a stay-at-home mom, and homeschooler mom, maybe running her own side hustle/business.

Proposal Story

Sean proposed to Ashley on New Year’s Eve ringing in the New Year - year 2023. Ashley— “We were at our house watching the ball drop. Sean had bought sparklers for us to ring in the New Year together. The year prior, the entire family had COVID, so we all spent New Year’s Eve at our own houses celebrating, and he wanted to recreate that atmosphere this year for our proposal.”

Ash had absolutely no idea! Sean did so great of keeping it a secret… so great that he didn’t tell his family either! It actually was raining on and off that night. But Sean was determined! Ashley was exhausted and wanted to just go to bed. Sean set up his truck in the driveway with his phone propped up on the hitch. They still had their Christmas lights up and on at the house so they provided the light in the background.

Ashley— “Sean’s phone was recording the whole time, and I thought we were just doing timers for pictures, because he knows I have to get a picture LOL! Sean was having trouble getting the sparklers to work because of the rain, and I kept telling him it’s fine, we don’t need them! but Sean was determined. I had no idea why but I just stood there patiently waiting… in the cold. He finally got them working so we stood there as a couple would… taking pictures… posing. then Sean reached into his pocket and pulled out the box… and turned and looked at me. I still did not see the box because I was so focused on the sparkler that was near my (uhm, squirrel!?)!

I finally saw the box he was patiently holding waiting for me to see. I looked at the box and then looked at Sean like no way - this is actually happening, but instead my first out loud words were, “What the heck do I do with this thing?” as I was referring to the sparker I was holding. I was about ready to chuck the sparkler in the yard.”

Sean took the sparkler from Ashley and got down on one knee. He asks her to marry him, and in complete shock and excitement, Ash says “YES!”

They huged it out, and Sean whispered “Thank you for waiting for me.”

Ashley— “It felt unreal. I was so tired, I kind of wanted a do-over LOL! But I was so shocked and excited and wanted to tell everyone I knew immediately. I wanted the night to play over again and again.”