Engagement Story

This picture basically explains Brian and I! We are goofy & LOVE to have fun! We just literally enjoy eachothers company. & that is why I knew IMMEDIATELY that I would marry Brian.

Brian and I met on facebook of all places... I know, I know .. the root of all EVIL!! I actually had SEEN Brian prior to facebook, however we had never talked. One day I scrounged up the COURAGE to contact him on facebook and invite him to church. After that first message we never stopped talking. We talked about everything and anything!!! My conversations with Brian would go on for Hours DAYS!!! I instantly knew he would be the man I would marry.. I knew this for a ONE reason...

I had went on a dating fast!

I dated Jesus for 60 days, and during that 60 days I would read my Bible and PRAY for God to send me the man I was going to marry. I did not make a list because I knew God knew my heart. I met Brian during my dating fast and we stayed friends for 3 months while I did my fast ( I am soo happy Brian was patient with me !!!!) God revealed to me early on that Brian would be the person I would marry! God spoke to my heart and I knew right away that Brian was IT!!!!

Brian took me to Hocking Hills ( one of my favorite places!!). He took me to Ash Cave & told me we were going on a scavanger hunt that the park proivded ( WINK WINK). He handed me 2 papers that were filled up with seven clues.. For example.. Clue #2 YOUR SECOND CLUE IS LOCATED UP THE PATH A WAYS AND WILL BE NEXT TO A GROUP OF FALLEN TREES. REMEMBER THAT EACH CLUE IS MARKED BY A WHITE ROCK. LOOK FOR IT TO TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE CLOSE TO YOUR CLUE. THE CLUE WILL BE TAPED TO THE BACK OF A TREE!.. Every clue I found taped somewhere had a medal key attached that had writing on it .. they all said different things such as dream, journey, love. Every clue also had a note written from Brian going along with what was written on the key. For example the Key said memories and the clue talked about all the memories we have shared and will continue to share!.. I went through seven clues to come to the last clue that told me to search for a box. ( at this point I knew this was not a scavanger hunt for everyone that the park provided) Brian told me that he had paid someone to do this for us :) .. ( WINK WINK) I searched and searched for a box .. which I found in the cave in a hole wrapped in a plastic clear bag. The box was pretty big and it also came with INSTRUCTIONS. I was to do a puzzle ( upside down )! The puzzle had numbers on the back so I wouldnt get confused ( which i would have!!! hehehe) Brian had even provided two sparkly boards to put the puzzle on.. HE IS SOOO PREPARED FOR EVERYTHING!!! Once I did the puzzle I flipped it over... and there it was!!! It was a picture of Brian holding a sign saying " WILL YOU MARRY ME??" I looked up at Brian in tears with my HANDS over my mouth.. while Brian had the ring in the box in his hand. I of course said YESS!! ... I can honestly say that moment was the most UNFORGETTABLE moment in my life.
PS: I later found out that Brians PARENTS placed all the scavanger items at Ash Cave and they were there!!! They were hidden and I didnt see them!!! ( BRIAN CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA AND WROTE EVERYTHING OUT!!!) He is AMAZING!

Ashley Brooke Collins is the woman of my dreams! I have always loved the names Ashley and Brooke for a girl because I think that they have always just sounded so pleasing to my ears and I think that it is just God's awesome sense of humor that he sent me a wonderful girl with both names that I love to hear in her own name. And of course I have to love my last name which is soon going to be her last name as well =) So to get back on track, I have no clue what I did in my life time to deserve such an amazing person and wonderful blessing from the lord. Ashley really is my other half and I do not think that I could function in life without her. Now since I have met her and know her it is really hard to imagine going through life on a day to day basis without being able to see her, talk to her, and just laugh and have so much fun with her. She completes me and is always willing to take time out of her day to talk to me and help me with my problems or just listen to me if I need to vent to someone. I love her so very much and I think that she is the most gorgeous girl that I have ever seen in my entire life. I have traveled around the world and met a lot of different people, but not one single person that I have met has made as great of an impact as she has on my life. She has affected me in such a huge and extemely positive way and I know that God had planned it that way for me. I love her with all of my heart and I would do anything for her. She has been placed in my life for a great reason and a wonderful purpose and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with her and see what God has in store for both of us. I have been blessed!

- Brian

Brian is the man of my dreams! He is the most caring person I have ever met. Brian would give the shirt off of his back for a stranger on the street. Brian puts others first and wants to make sure EVERYONE in his life is happy!! Brian genuinely loves helping others. I have never met anyone like Brian in my life. I knew from the moment I met him that something about him was " Different ". Brian has the most pure and giving heart ( I am a teeeny bit bias, because he is mine!!!) Brian is intellectual and funny!! Brian can light up a room with his smile and personality! :) I can't imagine my life without Brian! I know there is not another person in the world that could ever live up to Brian and how i feel about him! Brian is the type of person that would put aside his needs for yours. I could go on for days but the BEST way to describe Brian is AMAZING:) ... PERFECT!!!