a birthday post about my sis in law!

I fell in love with my {at the time future-} sister in law, Ashley, before my brother Jack ever even laid eyes on her. :) Fortunately for me {and Jack}, Ashley played basketball in college with my sister Amber. Amber and I lived in a tiny apartment just off campus. Our place was the hangout spot for the girls on Amber's basketball team. Ashley is one of those girls who is just cool and hilarious and fun to be around! When I met her, I liked her immediately, but I clearly remember when she actually took over a big piece of my heart. :) You see, Amber tore her ACL in a basketball game and had to have surgery to repair it. If I remember correctly, it seems like that was right before the Christmas break. For some ridiculous reason that I can't recall, I had the best idea ever to have a Christmas party for the girls on the basketball team at our apartment right after Amber had her surgery! {Needless to say, I am not always the best planner.} At that time, I already considered Ashley to be a really good friend, but the night before that party, she proved her friendship to me. :) I remember that she and I stayed up until about 4am cleaning and decorating the apartment. We were cracking up the whole night! Amber slept peacefully through all the commotion, thanks to her medication from the surgery. :) I honestly don't remember a single thing about the party the next day, but what I do remember is bonding with Ashley that night.
A few months later, Jack met Ashley for the first time. Their love story belongs in a novel or on a movie screen! To sum it up for you {and I hope Ashley doesn't mind my sharing}, Ashley had sort of fallen for Jack before she ever met him. Amber and I {along with the rest of my family} were always extremely proud of Jack! He was just so handsome and funny and determined! At the time, he was away doing his Special Forces training. We had several photos of him up in our apartment and we talked about him all the time. Ashley was clearly intrigued by our tall tales ;) and his cute pics, so she claimed him as her boyfriend, sight unseen. We would all joke about it with each other. One weekend, Jack surprised the family by coming home to visit. That fateful weekend, on the day after Valentines Day no less, Jack & Ashley met for the first time. Naturally, since Ashley had already claimed his heart, he immediately and happily handed it over to her. From that day on, he and Ashley committed themselves to each other and they didn't look back! I can honestly say that I have never been around a couple who enjoyed their relationship more! Observing Jack & Ashley, I learned so much about happiness and love! Every single time I think about their marriage, it warms my very soul.
Today is Ashley's birthday, and I just wanted to honor her and the amazing woman she is. Because of her, my brother's all-too-short time here on earth was made beautiful and complete! Because of her, I have laughed and cried and seen what it means to survive. Ashley has taught me so much about goodness toward others, toleration, peace, and living life to the fullest! I will forever be grateful that our lives and hearts have intertwined.

Here is one of my favorite photos I shot of Jack & Ashley on their wedding day in 2005...


And one of me, Ashley, Mandi, and Amber: my sisters, my best friends...


Ashley~
I love you and admire you so very much! Thank you for giving me your love and friendship! I am happy to celebrate your life today on your birthday!