We’re Getting Married in 2 days!

Josh and Ashley had been dating since 2017 and felt like the time was right to bring everyone together. The five children met for the first time over bagels in the Friendly Center greenery area by the Ben & Jerry’s. They were not shy for long and were running and playing tag within minutes. They spent the rest of the afternoon together having fun doing the most mundane tasks including grocery shopping. Ashley and Josh just looked at each other while shopping with 5 children hanging from the carts, saying no to too many sweets and they all just knew… a Brady bunch had been born.

The kids spent a few weekends together that fall but due to distance, work, parenting schedules and the holidays they really did not see each other much. Then Covid happened. It was a strange time for everyone. When schools were cancelled Josh and Ashley blended more regularly so the kids could socialize within their bubble, they could work from home and the kids remain entertained. In a time of such uncertainty they were growing more certain of their family unit.

The schools then returned to in person and the kids saw very little of each other since Ashley was in Danville, VA and Josh in Greensboro, NC. When the holiday season passed and the new year came they were only able to get together a couple of times. One of those gatherings was a big ski trip to Wintergreen VA. Josh’s parents and Ashley’s parents came along as well. It was a great weekend and on the next get together the kids called a “family meeting”.

The kids had decided that they wanted to all live together in Greensboro so they could play all the time, go to the same schools, not drive back and forth so much. Josh and Ashley had not planned to blend in that official manner yet with so many changes for them, but when the kids asked independently, it felt right.

The hunt for a 5-7 bedroom house began. It was hard. In May the perfect house was found. It’s walking distance from their elementary school, their current summer pool club, a cul-da-sac, friendly neighborhood, and enough space for the seven of them! They moved in July 2021 and its been mad house ever since.

Ashley and Josh took a vacation with out the children to California with Josh’s parents and sister’s family. Ashley wanted to see the “Painted Ladies” row that are famously in the intro sequence of the 1990’s show Full House. Ashley loves Full House and was in such awe of the scenery and the surprise of visiting them that she did not notice Josh pull out a small black box. He asked her to marry him and hoped they could be this happy all over the world on many more trips in their future. She said yes immediately.