Before we explain our love story, we think it’s also important to explain ourselves. Ashley Alexander is from New Orleans, LA and has strong Creole roots. Ashley currently works as an Exercise Physiology teacher and Strength and Conditioning Coach while also pursuing her PH. D in Kinesiology. Roshell Hanse is from Fort Lauderdale, FL and has strong Jamaican roots. Roshell currently owns her own counseling practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor while also pursuing her PH. D in Counseling.

We were two like-minded individuals who loved beyond measure and never gave up on love! Our story began in early Spring 2022 due to a quick message Ashley left under Roshell’s dating profile stating, “beautiful smile.” While Ashley initiated the conversation, Roshell took the lead on just about everything else. After two days of messaging each other on the dating app, Roshell invited Ashley to meet at Piedmont Park. We both came to the park optimistic as neither of us were looking for anything too serious. Little did we know our hearts had other plans. We saw each other, and it was an instant connection. We laughed together in the park and immediately started creating inside jokes like “wrap-around,” which Roshell referred to as Ashley’s jacket that she had tied around her waist. We lingered at the park for hours, talking and learning about all our similarities. For instance, we are both Virgos and were born only 6 days apart. Since neither of us anticipated enjoying our time so much, we both left the park knowing we couldn’t wait to learn more about one another. We spent the remainder of the night talking on the phone and even solidified future plans for activities and travel. From that day forward, we have been inseparable, wasting no time creating memories together from taking trips, meeting friends and family, celebrating the holidays, to getting engaged! Our love story has taught us that love has no timeline and that being intentional with our time and hearts led us to what we always knew we deserved true love. We took the time to create the space for us to feel safe and vulnerable to be our authentic selves. All the memories over the years helped to confirm what we felt in our hearts from the beginning that we truly enjoyed being in each other’s lives. We are beyond excited to celebrate our upcoming union with our closest loved ones as we continue our journey together as partners in love and life.

Speaking of engagement, Ashley surprised Roshell with a proposal on Christmas Eve while in New Orleans. There are two sides to every story. Early in our relationship, I would give Ashley insight into what I would like in a proposal, and she listened to every detail. I had no idea I would leave the Christmas holiday an engaged woman. I am extremely inquisitive, so a few weeks prior, I had found the box with the ring in it (I didn’t open the box), so I assumed she would propose over New Year as she specifically told me not to get my hopes up for Christmas. I knew that meant don’t look for any special gifts. Fast forward to Christmas Eve, we had plans of going to an all-white party, dinner, and hanging with her friends after, yet we awoke that morning to Ashley hearing some unfortunate news. I was all in support of canceling all party plans and being there to emotionally support her, yet she was adamant we at least do dinner. I didn’t understand (usually if I don’t understand, I don’t let it go, but something in my spirit said, ‘Not today, Roshell, let it go’), so I reluctantly obliged to dinner but said, “lets dress down then” (later I would slightly regret not dressing up). We walked around the French Quarter for what seemed like hours as Ashley ‘tried’ to locate the restaurant. We agreed to ‘cancel’ those dinner reservations and eat at some local restaurant we found in the vicinity. Ashley told me that after we ate, she wanted to take me to the Jackson Square area as they do fireworks at night. I started to get excited to see the fireworks and rushed to get the check. Walking past Café Du Monde, I pull out my camera to start recording the largest lit Christmas tree I’ve seen in a while. Ashley then asks if she can hold my purse and phone for me, which isn’t too out of the normal for us, so I give it to her, but all the while, my focus is on this beautiful Christmas tree. As we get right up on the Christmas tree, I get distracted by this woman trying to take a photo of the tree, and the next image I see is Brittany and Du (Ashley’s sister and nephew). I looked slightly confused but quickly assumed they were there to watch the fireworks with us. I then become puzzled when Du hands me this beautiful bouquet of red roses, and when I ask him why he is giving me this, I turn around to see Ashley holding the box in her hand, and it all starts to click. Honestly, it’s all a blur from there, but I remember being in total shock, crying, and not noticing the 8 other friends and family recording the entire time.

What I learned early on was how much Roshell loved a good love story—something created out of thoughtfulness, love, and intention. I was determined to give her that when I decided to propose. I knew I met my person, and I knew I did not want to go another minute without letting the world know how deeply I felt for her. I drove to NOLA a few days before she flew in ahead of the Christmas holidays to start and put my plan in motion. I enlisted friends and family as I needed some extra support to pull all this off. I contacted her family to get their blessing, and I received my mother’s blessing for this life-changing decision. While deciding on where to propose I wanted a place that would be most memorable—a place that we both would enjoy visiting and one that was near and dear to my heart. Jackson Square is my favorite place in the entire city to visit. I love the atmosphere, the views, the people, and, more importantly, the food. Everything was coming together, and I was more than excited she would be spending the holidays with me as my fiancé. I felt complete; this was joy and excitement, this is love! The day was finally here, and although plans needed to be switched at the last minute, I received the support I needed to get over my nerves and realize this was a moment that I would never get back. I was adamant about creating a memory for Roshell and I to last a lifetime. I was completely nervous and had no actual plans set, as all I was focused on was the proposal. I stretched the truth about having dinner reservations already in place. Luckily for me, Roshell was not her usual inquisitive self and was surprisingly easygoing and went with the flow. As we paced around the French Quarters for a good 20 minutes, I finally “found” the place where the reservations were, and we went in for cocktails and crab claws before walking to Jackson Square for “fireworks.” Roshell had never been to New Orleans over the holidays, so she had no idea what to expect—the night seemed surreal as if it was the perfect evening to do something incredible. She honestly had no idea, and I felt relief seeing everyone there with smiles on their faces in the COLD! My sister handed me the ring, and after I confessed my love, I got down on one knee and proposed. I know she said yes, but I honestly didn’t hear her. I could not believe this was my life. I could not believe that I found my future wife. She is incredible in every way and made especially for me.