We are so excited to celebrate with you!

Ben and I (Ashley) met when we were both out with our friends one night. It was a random Friday night. I was celebrating the end of my first semester of PA school and Ben was having a good time with his friends. By the end of the night, Ben (finally) found the courage to approach me. We soon got to talking and before we knew it, the place was calling "last call". We hurriedly exchanged phone numbers and went our separate ways. But luckily he didn't leave me waiting for long...I got a text from him about 2 hours later asking to hang out the next day. And the rest is history<3

Little to my knowledge, Ben had been brewing one epic surprise for the past 6ish months. On a Saturday morning, he told me to get dressed, we were going out, but also pack an extra outfit...very suspicious. I did as I was told and made the effort to look extra pretty that day (just in case). He then ordered an uber who began to drive us through the city. No one gave a hint as to where we were going. Before I knew it, we were pulling into the Chicago Museum Campus and the uber driver let us out in front of the Shedd Aquarium. When we entered, the ticket vendor made the comment, "oh my gosh, I have always wanted to do this!" (and I am thinking, do what? go to the aquarium??). But they direct us to a special room and tell us to wait. After waiting a few minutes, I am finally let in on the big surprise, we are doing a beluga whale encounter!!!! After an educational lesson on beluga whales, we finally put on our waders and entered the ice cold water where we got to interact with the beautiful mammals. We gave kisses, pet tongues, fed fish, got spit on, and eventually the whale "fetched" a buoy and when returned to me, it said "WILL YOU MARRY ME?". I turned around to look at Ben (who already had tears in his eyes) and he said some beautiful words that neither of us can remember anymore and I said YES!! Then once we were out of the water (due to the risk of the whale eating the ring), Ben knelt down and proposed for a second time, this time with the ring. I then immediately started to call family and friends and share the big news. Ben had me rushing though since we had dinner reservations that we were already late for. So I hurriedly got in the car and we pull up to his aunt and uncles' beautiful home. Ben says they have a present for us, so we go inside and I find my mom, dad, both my grandmas, and Ben's family all there for the big surprise! I was beyond happy to see them and we celebrated the night away with amazing food and lots of smiles and laughs.