This multigenre project by Ashley Miller documents the progression of her relationship with her now-husband from their meeting in 2010 through their engagement in 2013 and marriage in October 2013. The project includes snippets from their early conversations and dates, photos from their engagement and wedding, and an interview with her husband where he reflects on meeting Ashley, knowing he wanted to marry her, their engagement and wedding day. It aims to remember, reflect on, and celebrate their relationship.

1. MULTIGENRE
PROJECT
By: Ashley Miller

2. DATING
JUNE 2010

3. THE DAY SHE MET HIM
Foreword
If only she had known how nervous and
uncharacteristic of him it was for him to approach
her. He thought of her all night and couldn’t get
her off his mind.

4. The cool drink rolled down her throat, she relaxed into her lawn
chair as sounds of Nantucket filled her mind. As darkness fell
and relief from the summer sun lifted she noticed him. There he
was. Tall, confident, and wonderfully handsome. She wondered
if he’d even notice her and shrugged off the idea.

5. It wasn’t minutes later when he meandered up and started
talking. She was in shock and their conversation lingered on.
He sat next to her as she became enchanted and couldn’t help
but dreaming of what could be. As the conversation ended he
walked back to join his friends. She gushed over him to her
friend but sighed it off. When the music ended and she
gathered her things they were stopped before reaching the car.
It was him again.

6. She smiled eagerly and it was her he wanted to see and talk to
again. She was ecstatic. As their brief exchange again came to
an end he asked for her number. Of course, she thought, as
she began to prattle off the information. Laughter filled the air.
He didn’t have a cell phone. What year was he living in she
wondered as they bantered back and forth. He plugged it into
his friends phone and once again they parted ways.

7. OUR SCRAPBOOK
2010-2013

8. Duke vs. UNCG game.
Our first Christmas and snow.

9. A trip to the Biltmore.
A cold, rainy camping experience.

10. Exploring in Charleston, SC.

11. Braves game!
Hiking at Grandfather Mountain.

12. Tubing and relaxing in Tennessee.
Mission trip in Alabama.

13. Kure Beach fun!
Stone Mountain hiking.

14. Avett Brothers for New Years.
Our first Halloween.

15. Camping at Lake Norman.
Visiting friends in New Bern.

16. Carolina Beach with friends.
Exploring the caverns.

17. Asheville trip.

18. ENGAGEMENT
APRIL 5, 2013

19. The day we got engaged started as a typical day. Throughout
our years of dating we had gone on many trips and I had
secretly wondered each time if he would ask me to marry
him. (As did everyone in our families) He defiantly succeeded
in surprising me.
That day we had planned to go to his grandmother’s house for a
late Easter lunch with the whole family. He called to ask me if
he could come pick me up and I thought nothing of it.
When he arrived to pick me up I was still in my “lounge wear”
and deciding what to wear.

20. I should have taken more notice to how nervous he was.
While I was picking out something to wear from my closet, I
had my back to him, when I turned around with a tank top and
green sweater in hand I was very surprised to see
him kneeling down on one knee.
I was beyond excited, yet at the same time all I could help but
think was yes, yes! I listened intently as he tried to recite the
speech he had prepared while trying to compose himself at the
same time.

21. As he finished and opened the box with the shining ring
inside, slipped it on my finger, I said without hesitation, “Yes!”
We decided not to tell anyone, but instead to wait and see how
long it would take them to notice my new ring.
At his grandmother’s house it wasn’t long, during a family photo
session, until his sister noticed. His family was very happy for
us.

22. After dinner we decided to surprise my family as well. We first
stopped by the house to tell my papaw and then drove to my
grandmother’s to meet my mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law and
grandma.
When they finally arrived we sat and chatted mindlessly about
our days. It seemed as though my family was not as
observant. I couldn’t stand it much longer and ended up telling
them by showing them my hand.
They too were very excited.
What started as a typical day turned out to be just perfect.

23. I later found out that he had gotten the ring earlier the same day.
He couldn’t stand to hold onto it and wanted to give it to me as
soon as possible.

24. The day we were engaged.
The day of our engagement party.

25. Engagement pictures.

26. ITS 30 DAYS UNTIL I DO
SO HERE’S 30 REASONS I LOVE YOU…
• Your big heart
• Your eyes
• Your bright smile
• Your laugh
• The way you look at me

27. • How you take care of me
• Respect you show for the elderly
• How you take care of your family
• Your passion for things you enjoy
• Your hugs

28. • Your kisses
• How you make me happy
• When you grab my hand to hold it
• Your knowledge of odd facts
• Your full head of hair

29. • Your commitment
• Your sense of humor
• Your silly voice
• Your willingness to try new things
• Our similar taste buds

30. • Your strange habits
• The way you talk to baby June
• How you jump in pictures
• Your honesty
• How you get me talking

31. • Your height
• Your courage
• How you face difficult situations
• Your encouraging nature
• Your intelligence
I love you so much and I can’t wait until October 5th when I become your wife!
Ashley

32. MARRIAGE
OCTOBER 5, 2013

33. INTERVIEW WITH THE HUSBAND
What do you remember about the first day you met me?
I remember you being very pretty and quiet. I definitely ran the
conversation. I didn’t think that you were interested in me which
is why it took me to the end of the night before I asked for your
number.
•

34. How did you feel about me after our first date?
I had a great time and was ready for the next one.

35. Can you define a moment when you knew that you wanted to
marry me?
I don’t think there’s one moment. There wasn’t like an “ah -ha”
she’s the one because she answered that question right. I think
it was a collection of things but I knew early.

36. I know you were very nervous the day you asked me to marry
you. What is your favorite memory from that day?
My favorite memory would be you saying “yes.” I had the
element of surprise. On the way it was the speech, but the
rehearsed speech didn’t turn out as planned. I didn’t plan on
being so emotional.

37. What was going through your mind on our wedding day
when you saw dad move the yellow umbrella away and
were finally able to see me?
I looked down at the ground so I didn’t cry and focused
on the music. Once you started walking I was able to
look at you and you were beautiful.

38. What’s the best part about being married so far?
Having you with me and not having to know at the end of the
day you have to go somewhere and I have to go somewhere.

39. What do you see for us in 5 years? 10 years?
Five years, hopefully we have built a house and started a family.
Ten years, I’ll be 40 years old! We will be raising our kids.

41. THE HORNBEAKS
EST. 10-5-13
Well life is ever changing
But I will always find a constant
And comfort in your love
With your heart my soul is bound
And as we dance I know
That heaven will be found
-Avett Brothers Swept Away
The Best Couple
Why might you ask? Simply put, they
complement each other perfectly. Trey and Ashley
have been together for 3 years now. They’ve
stuck by each other through thick and thin and the
ups and downs of life. Trey is a retired Marine
and Ashley is a teacher. They have started a life
together in Rowan County with their 2 furry
children, Deuce and June.
Trey & Ashley met at
a Nantucket Concert
in the summer of
2010.
They were engaged in
April 5, 2013.
The wed in a beautiful
outdoor ceremony in
October 5, 2013.
PDH + AMH = LOVE

42. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My name is Ashley Miller Hornbeak…recently married on October 5 of this year. I am
a special education teacher in Rowan County. I earned my undergraduate degree
from UNC Greensboro. I enjoy reading, being outdoors, being with family and friends
and my pets.
The topic of my mulitgenre piece was to see the progression of my relationship in
three stages: dating, engagement and marriage. The purpose of my project was to
remember, reflect and celebrate my relationship. My intended audience was my
husband and myself.