9/29/23

Moved to Atlanta, dating apps, virtual roses, poor profile pics, "dang, he's actually kind of cute", over-ordered (food and tequila), fell in love. That's the cliff notes version, but I know you want the details though, right? Of course you do because who wouldn't want to know how a cutie like Ashley could fall for a goof like Ben?! It started with Hinge and Ben's first and almost detrimental mistake of their relationship. Ben's profile was well written (naturally) and was free of any fishing or shirtless gym pics, a sadly small achievement that put him a notch above the average. He also included Molly, his adorable black lab, in as many photos as one can without being alarming. BUT, what he did fail to do was to include any decent photos of himself (minor detail in a dating app). Not only that, but he also sent an over-enthusiastic virtual "rose" to Ashley. While some girls would've considered this forward move "cringey" Ashley was intrigued. After engaging in what Ben would consider witty banter via the app, Ashley reluctantly agreed to a mid-week date, the days Ashley set aside for the B-list guys. What she has still not agreed to was that the couple was to meet for drinks only. A full meal and FOUR drinks later the only thing we can agreed to this day was that Ashley redeemed herself by letting Ben take the leftovers. The rest is history!

Ben was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by his parents Gabriel Simon Kora and Therese "Cissy" Inman Kora, with his 4 siblings Si, Rebecca, Dorothy and Jacob. He filled his time playing guitar with his bands and developing a strong work ethic by working for his Grandfather and Father at their family meat distribution company Choctaw Provisions. He attended Louisiana State University and graduated with a degree in Public Relations, which doesn't get much use in his role as Director of Project Management for natural gas pipeline projects at Southern Company Gas. After leaving Louisiana briefly for California, work brought Ben and his dog Molly to Atlanta where he lived for 2 years before meeting Ashely. Ashley was born and raised in Clearwater, Florida with her Parents Dr. Oscar and Denise Menendez and her older brother Kevin. After a fateful in-utero trip to New York City, where Denise ate too many bagels, Ashley developed a hunger to live in the big apple. At 5 years old she started making that goal vocal and, after a brief stop in Miami, she made it happen, Living in Manhattan for 6 years and Brooklyn for 6 more. There, Ashley attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and subsequently worked for some of the biggest names in fashion. After spending 6 years at Giorgio Armani Ashely decided she was ready to make a change and leave her career and the city to be closer to home and forge a new path. Choosing Atlanta proved fateful as she met Ben 3 months after moving! She now works with her best friend (and bridesmaid) Brooke Bollea Oleksy as an interior designer and head of projects for BB Designs, designing vacation, investment and residential properties in Tennessee, Florida and beyond.