Wednesday, September 7, 2011

{ Second Date: ASHLEY & JACE }


A HUGE thanks to Melanie and Rachel with Freestyle Dance Company for choreographing a great routine for Ashley and Jace. If you live near the San Tan Valley you should definitely take a class!


In Jace's Words:

After a nice flight from desert to desert, I was greeted at the airport by Ashley. Once again I came with some flowers. However, this time they were a little different. I brought turquoise roses. She thought they were her BYU blue; I thought they matched my shirt perfectly. Interesting how that worked. We had a few good laughs over that. She also had a few things for me. One of them was a package of Mike n Ike's, which represented some things (inside jokes perhaps) from our first date. I was very impressed. I've always been a guy who likes the little things/details and Ashley is very good at doing the little things.

Soon we were on our way. We drove for quite a while to Joe's Farm Grill for dinner. During the car ride we discussed work, politics, and sports. We also had a little discussion about what I thought we were doing for the date. I like surprises, but the suspense was killing me since I was told what to bring a few days beforehand, but I was not informed about the details of the date. She told me to bring basketball shorts and a t-shirt. What could that possibly mean? I thought well maybe she wants to try her luck on the basketball court with me again. Or perhaps we're going to play her game, football. Or better yet, maybe she is taking me to a hip-hop dance club in an attempt to see if I'm really as athletic as she is. I didn't figure that out until we pulled up to the club and saw the sign, but I'm sure she enjoyed watching me as I attempted to figure it out.

We were greeted at Joe's Farm Grill by Joe himself, which was quite a treat. Being in business, it's always fun for me to meet the owner because they are usually the most passionate about the business and can answer all your questions. We had a great conversation with Joe about his farm and his businesses. It's common food done uncommonly well at Joe's Farm Grill. As we waited for our food, Ashley and I were able to take a walk through part of the farm. There was a little hand holding which was great. After our walk we ate at a table Joe had prepared for us with a centerpiece. Our food was delicious. I think we ordered just about everything on the menu. Halfway into dinner we noticed that it became very dark outside. A giant monsoon came through which was really cool because that was something I had never seen before. After dinner we were on to the activity.

As we left Joe's, Ashley told me we were in for another long drive to our activity. She told me we were going to Queen Creek. I don't know the Phoenix Valley super well, but I had never heard of Queen Creek so I figured it was pretty far. Driving thru the desert in a monsoon wasn't quite the way I had pictured seeing the outskirts, but it was kind of fun. As we arrived at Freestyle Dance Co., we were greeted by one of Ashley's college hip hop friends. She and her sister had a choreographed routine for us to learn. I love to dance, but I am by no means a dancer. I thought to myself that this was really going to challenge my abilities. I just hoped I wouldn't embarrass Ashley or the show. We had a great time learning the routine and performing it. After we were finished, I had the great treat of watching a video of Ashley when she was in college as a hip-hop performer. She probably wouldn't admit it, but she is a great dancer.

After she showed me up on the dance floor, we drove back to Mesa. Once we arrived in Mesa, it was time to say goodbye to Ashley. She had been giving me good signs all night for great doorstep scene if you know what I mean. We had great conversation, held hands, and she cuddled up to me a time or two while we were walking. I gave her a chocolate kiss on our first date so I thought it would be extremely appropriate to conclude the evening with a different type of kiss. The play by play from my perspective goes like this. We pull up to the house, I get out of the car and walk over to her. Our eyes meet as we embrace and we chat and tell each other how much we enjoyed the evening. Then the magic occurred. We kissed. It was a great end to a great date.

35 comments:

The Snows said...

WOW!...Finally, I think we have a winner.
So cute together - mutual like going on. I love that it sounds like they have developed a little of a relationship between the first and second dates.

Jeppson Clan said...

Yay! I loved watching this date. They are so cute together and the kiss at the end made me happy for both of them. :)

Lai said...

Darn- am I the only one who can't see the video?

Lizzy said...

Very cute! The best so far! They seem equally yoked and who cares about the age difference. What is four years in the eternal scheme of things?

Becky @ lovetobeinthekitchen said...

Yay! I'm happy for Ashley to have a date where they both seem into each other. He seems like such a sweet guy.

Leo D said...

Yea, they defininately dig each other BIG time. If he doesn't end up the winner (getting the 3rd date), my wife and I would be extememly surprised.

I do have to say, though, that the puedo-gangsta hip-hop vid had us scratching our heads.

April said...

Ashley has mentioned a few times that there are a few guys that really like her....I'm guessing Jace is one of them....and that in the end she knows she will have to be the one to hurt their feelings. I SO HOPE she won't be hurting Jace- they just seem right for each other!

The Cucurella Clan said...

The chemistry is right on. YAY, JACE!!

Sharisse said...

At age 27 (just like Ashley) I married a younger guy with a cute twinkly smile (like Jace) and it has been so wonderful! You could feel the chemistry through the computer through the whole video! It seems like they really match and Jace is so nice and sincere. Nice guys shouldn't finish last! Team Jace!

Andrea said...

I'm confused. Their conversation at the beginning of the date sounded like this second date took place right after July 4th. Does this mean she was on a second date before all the other first dates were over?

And that was no kiss. That was a full on smooch. Whoa.

Erica said...

Wow!! That's what a connection looks like. If for some reason he doesn't make her final cut, send him my way!

Kari said...

I think this relationship has a chance. I think she wasn't as in to him as Brad or Erik though. And Ashley, I thought your make-up looked really great in this video!! Jace was a good sport to go and learn a dance routine! ha ha! Seems like a fun guy.

It Started With a Wink said...

Game over!!! My husband is 4 years younger, I never thought I would marry younger but when it's right it's right! Smart men marry older women. He was the man of my dreams and has developed more and more into the best husband and companion. Some times there is a reason all those older guys aren't married. If you want the same things out of life is what matters. I loved the romantic ending. Go Ashley!

Suzanne said...

Squee!!! They are so cute together! Did you notice how their silhouettes made a heart shape in front of the garage? If they can get past the age/point in life difference, I could really see it working for these two. :)

amy mo said...

I could definitely sense some resistance on Ashley's part. I don't know if its because she knows how much he likes her and she doesn't want to lead him on if she's not certain, or if she just wasn't super in to him afterall, but I don't think this is a perfect match...yet anyway. He's a cutie though.

chels said...

It won't let me watch it either. There's just the play symbol with a line drawn through it. I couldn't find it on YouTube either. :(

Shayla said...

He's the one! Favorite date so far! Loved the choreographed routine! SO MUCH CHEMISTRY!

Suzanne said...

On Jace's facebook page it says he's going to graduate with his B.S. in Accounting in Spring 2012. So even though he's younger, I think this is a good sign that he'll be ready to provide for a family soon! Whether Ashley chooses him or not, he's a cutie...and a keeper!

Andrea Stomps said...

I can't watch it. It says it contains music that's not available in germany! Can you please change it!!!! PLEASE!!! A kiss and I can't watch it!!!!!! PLEASE HURRY and repost this date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rachel said...

I can't watch it either. I can see the post date, but not the actual date. Nor could I find it on YouTube. Why?

Em-Cat said...

Younger guys rock! My husband is 3 years younger. Age really doesn't matter. When we were dating, I was really impressed with the fact that he was so open to building a strong relationship with an educated, strong woman :-) Before I was married, I had always had better experience dating younger guys than older, but you never know. It all boils down to who's the best fit and the best guy for you. I loved the whole date...the dance routine was awesome! What a fun date!

crush said...

It was so fun to watch this date! I knew from their first date that these two would be good together. You could feel the chemistry from the beginning. Loved watching the dance routine-- even though it was a little corny-- you could tell they really hit it off. I hope Jace is the one. Or Brad......not sure.

Monta said...

So happy for her! It seemed like none of the second dates up to this point were going anywhere, so yeah!

Deveny said...

ANY non-dancer guy that's willing to do a cheesy hip-hop routine for a girl is a keeper. For reals. (and hellooo, chemistry! She hasn't been this close with anyone else so far)

Sheridan Rae said...

I smiled the whole time I watched this date AND its post date interview. Not that it's my decision or anything, but he's definitely my pick for her! That's what real chemistry looks like, in my opinion :) (And was that kiss sweet, or what?)

Sarah Keith said...

I don't think she will choose him. He is cute, but doesn't really seem her type. A little immature maybe for such a mature girl. The kiss was maybe a little too long for what Ashley would deem appropriate for a second date. At least I think.

The Williams Family said...

YEAH!!! Team Jace! This was awesome. So much fun to watch. Keep this guy around. Good luck you two!

Meagan @ Meagan Tells All said...

HOLY KISSSSSSSSSS!

Geoff said...

Get some!

And I called it. I said we wouldn't make it through the season without someone going to Joe's Farm Grill. Boo yah achieved.

Natalie said...

@ Andrea I'm pretty sure they were talking about the 24th of July.

Natalie said...

@ Andrea... Scratch that last comment.. You're right! Now I'm confused too.

Cristin said...

Maybe I'm the only one who thinks this, but I don't see a relationship here. He seems more into her than she is into him.

Angie said...

He does seem like one of the guys she has mentioned who really likes her. You can tell he has a big crush on her. But I wouldnt discount her feelings towards his either... Did anyone else notice that he started to pull away from the kiss and SHE was the one that leaned in for more? Oh yeah, Ashley was digging that kiss.

I do have to say, whatever happened to Matt? The guy she was supposed to go paddleboating with and instead they walked on the bridge with the lights. She really seemed to like him and i thought he was into it too! Yet no second date. We still have Rudd and then one more, hopefully it's Matt.

Chante said...

It's not working for me either! Wish I could watch the date!! Anyone going to respond about this and why it isn't working for a bunch of us?

Chante said...

Okay..I was able to watch it on my pc...can't view it on my iPhone though...bummer. Cute date and love Joe's Farm Grill!