From the Bride and Groom:
Thank you all for the love and support you have provided us through out our journey. While you all know where we are now, we are aware that not everyone knows where we started. To provide a little bit of that background, we have decided to write a short entry on how we met and where our journey has taken us.
The Beginning:
We met on January 13th, 2023. We were both 21 and in our 3rd year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a result of us both being elected president of our respective Greek organizations, we were required to attend a leadership conference held by the university. The first day was meant to be a philanthropy event where we packaged meals for less fortunate communities. Not knowing many other people, and having been introduced to each other by a common friend, we decided to work in the same group. Vincent's fraternity was hosting a party later that night and so he had asked Ashlei if she would be attending, to which she said yes. Later that evening, Ashlei had shown up to the party with one of her friends, Emily. Vincent offered to make them both a drink but due to working the event, did not get to spend as much time with Ashlei as he originally wanted to.
The next day, we sat together through lectures and class sessions although we primarily played hangman on the note pads provided by the conference. Eventually, Vincent got up the nerve to ask Ashlei for her phone number which she gave to him. That night, Ashlei had gone back home to Kernersville to spend time with family, but returned Sunday evening in hopes that Vincent would ask her to hang out. When Ashlei told Vincent she would be back in town, he was eager to do just that. We bonded over their interest in Marvel movies and watched the entire Iron Man trilogy while talking and getting to know more about each other.
The following Tuesday, Vincent asked Ashlei if he could take her on a date. We went to a local Italian restaurant called Piero's (RIP since its now closed). Looking back, we both admit that the dinner was a bit more awkward than we had hoped. Vincent was unaware that Ashlei did not eat bread or salad so when the appetizers came out it was him eating while Ashlei waited for the entrees. Furthermore, the entrees came out so fast that we did not get much time to talk or settle in before hand. Determined to try to turn things around, Vincent asked Ashlei if she wanted to go for a drive, she said yes and we spent a couple of hours driving around and talking about our views, interests, likes and dislikes along with everything in between.
Exactly one month after we met, on February 13, 2023, Vincent asked Ashlei if she wanted to make things official. Thank goodness she said yes.
The Middle:
During our time at UNC we spent countless hours in the library (or He's Not) studying. Ashlei got into nursing school and Vincent decided he needed to improve his academic record if he wanted a serious career after college. Outside of studying, we rushed Franklin St together, we went to parties together, we went to tailgates together. We did late night cookout runs, impromptu movie dates, weekends at home, lake days on the boat, and weekends at the beach. We did this all with the mindset that we would always support each other in our work and that, at that point in our lives, school and beginning a career came first.
We made it to a year, Vincent was graduating later that semester and was given a choice: go to graduate school at UNC-W or complete a research fellowship at Northwestern in Chicago for a year. After conversation and deliberation with Ashlei, Vincent decided to go to Chicago as he felt it would give him the best chance at building his career. Before leaving, and throughout his year in Chicago, Ashlei stood by his side and supported him, often reiterating her belief in him and what he was setting out to accomplish. During this year, Ashlei got to visit Chicago and attended her first MLB game at Wrigley Field.
In February of 2025 we celebrated two years together. Later that semester, Ashlei finished nursing school and graduated in May of 2025 amongst the top of her class. Vincent also got into a PhD program at the Univeristy of Florida and Ashlei got a job as a NICU nurse at UF Health Shands.
The Now:
Vincent and Ashlei moved to Gainesville, FL in August of 2025. Shortly after, Vincent proposed to Ashlei on September 13, 2025 in her hometown of Kernersville, NC (Once again, thank goodness she said yes). We adopted a Australian Shepard named Fenway (GO RED SOX!) in November of the same year. While the adjustment period of moving to a new place has had its challenges, we have continued to stand by each other and support each other in every endeavor we embark upon. Ashlei continues to give Vincent her unconditional support in his studies and always encourages him through the stress and challenges of graduate school. Meanwhile Vincent has tried to support Ashlei with the adjustment of moving away from home and starting a new job.
All in all, we just celebrated three years together and look forward to celebrating a life time more of happiness with all of you later this year. Hopefully this entry gave a brief insight into how we met and the different stages of our relationship. Thank you all once again for your love and support.
Lovingly and Gratefully,
Ashlei and Vincent