Joel and Ashley met at CAP 21, a musical theatre-training program in NYC. Ashley was Joel's ballet teacher in the summer of 2007 for a six-week intensive. On the final day of class, Joel mentioned to Ashley that they should go out sometime. Ashley smiled and shook her head, but did not think much would come of it. About a week later, Joel Facebooked Ashley to ask her out on a date. She was nervous to accept, but was glad she did! Joel and Ashley’s first date was on August 12, 2007. They went to Rosa Mexicana for dinner Wine and Roses, for wine afterward. It was an 8-hour date! Joel ended up earning an A- in Ashley's ballet class and the rest is history!
After Joel and Ashley's first date, Ashley went out of town for two weeks to dance in a movie. During this time away, Ashley and Joel talked on the phone several nights, late into the night. Joel also made Ashley a mix tape (on CD) and sent it to her hotel. Upon Ashley's return to NYC, Joel invited Ashley to Hoboken where he cooked her diner and showed her the town. Future dates included seeing shows together, going to the movies, and eating at a variety of restaurants. In November, Joel invited Ashley to his parents' home in High Bridge, NJ to celebrate Thanksgiving. They had the most special and wonderful time together during this holiday. Ashley enjoyed meeting Joel's family and friends during this trip. Joel's first trip to Florida to meet Ashley's family and friends was during Easter of 2008. He had a wonderful trip and enjoyed some Florida sunshine!
Ashley and Joel's lives would be forever changed on their 5th annual ski trip to Mont Tremblant, Canada. On the evening of Sunday, February 12, 2012, Joel and Ashley left the hotel they were staying at with Joel's parents to "meet up with one of Joel’s co-workers and her husband who were visiting Mont Tremblant the same weekend as they were." It was a beautiful and very cold night, as they walked down a winding, snow-covered, lit path, where they crossed over a bridge and came to a cabin in the woods. Joel knocked on the door. Ashley said to him, “I don’t think anyone is in there. Did they forget we were coming?” This is when Joel pulled the keys out of his pocket and said to Ashley, “What if I said this was ours for the night?" He put the key in the door and opened it to reveal a romantic room that was decorated beautifully. There was a fire going in the fireplace, rose petals sprinkled on the bed, his and her towels draped over the claw-foot bathtub, and pictures of Joel and Ashley throughout the room. There was a bottle of red and a bottle of champagne and two beautiful flutes. Joel said, “Happy Valentine’s Day!” Ashley was overwhelmed with surprise and did not know what to say except, “Thank You!” Joel suggested they take a tour around the cozy cabin. There was an antique dresser that had a silver jewelry box on it with a picture of Joel and Ashley from Joel's 30th birthday party. Ashley asked if she could open it and Joel said yes, but explained to Ashley that she should not get excited because there was not a ring inside. However, when Ashley opened the jewelry box, there was a note inside that read, “Turn around and look at me! Love, Joel” At this moment, Ashley knew something great was going to happen! When she turned around, Joel was on one knee trying to get something out of his pocket. Joel said, “You have been very patient for the past five years.” He managed to pull the velvet, navy blue box out of the pocket of his skinny jeans. He opened the box and inside there was a stunning, super sparkly ring. Joel said to Ashley, “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Ashley said, “Of course!” while giving Joel and big hug and starting to cry a bit. Ashley kept saying thank you over and over. Joel kept saying, “You deserve it.”
They had dinner reservations at a wonderful restaurant, La Forge. When they arrived there was a special table waiting for them, with a chilled bottle of champagne and beautiful arrangement of calla lilies on the table. Joel mentioned to Ashley that his parents might stop by to wish them congratulations. As Ashley was hugging Mr. Newman, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She did not know exactly who it was, but she knew that it was someone she knew very well...it was indeed....it was her mother and father!! Ken and Paula had flown to Canada from Florida and were staying at a different hotel so that Ashley and the Newmans would not run into them by accident!! The Eichbauers and Newmans all had dinner together that culminated with a delectable cake with an inscription that read "To the future Mr. and Mrs. Newman!"