I didn't play match maker!

Daniel and Ash in the way younger years!
Ashli and Daniel after a whip creme n cheerios fight!

At the Albuquerque Temple for Jason and Afton's Wedding, 2006

Enjoying a Smile! Goodness, they are sooooo young!

On September 9, 2009 Daniel Frank returned home from a very honorable 2 yr. mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where he served in the Ventura California Mission.

While Daniel was serving his mission, he and Ashli continued their friendship, but both traveled on different paths, unsure if there would be future plans together.

The night Daniel arrived home, he went to visit Travis and Terica. Daniel and Travis have been best friends for a long time. On the phone with Ashli as she got home (she was living with Travis and Terica at the time) I heard this conversation take place, "Daniel!!!! Ash!!!!!, wow, your hair is black!" I knew at that point I was the 3rd wheel and hung up the phone. They had a lot of catching up to do. Funny point to make............About a month or so before Daniel came home, Ashli and I were talking about him and she said, "Mom, I'm telling you since now that you need to get rid of any ideas you may have of playing match maker with Daniel and I, We have lead two different lives in the last two years so don't be trying to get us back together! I know you, and I know how bad you want us to be together but we have both changed!" My reply to her was this, "Ash, I love you and I love Daniel. He and I kept in contact the two years while he was gone, and yes, I would love to have him as a son-in-law, HOWEVER, I can tell you this, he has changed...He has grown alot, and matured a lot, and here is a reality check for you to think about, Daniel may come home and may not be interested in dating you again." I wasn't trying to be mean, just honest. I learned through his emails and letters that he truly had grown to be a Man of Honor, A Man who would always be blessed for the Honorable mission he served, I knew that his way of thinking had also matured. So, because of the changes he made on his mission and the growth that had taken place, I didn't know what or where or who he was going to choose when he came home.......and apparently neither did he!:)
So, Long story fairly short, Daniel and Ashli spent every day together once he got home. As he put it, lots of confusion was going through his mind...When he left California, he was unsure of what life in Bloomfield would be like for him. Nervous? Yes! But, because of his unwavering faith in our Father in Heaven, he took his concerns to him, and trusted in him to guide him in the direction that was best for he and Ash. She did the same. She had her own concerns. They have been friends since she was 14 and he 16. They dated, had their good times and some not so good times, but they knew they were both MORE mature now. They weren't the kids they were back then. So, Through much Fasting and Prayer, and numerous marriage talks, a visit or two to the temple, they knew they received their answer, and became engaged on September 30th.

So.......I don't get to say I played match maker......Our Father in Heaven already had it all taken care of!