I have known Ashlee for over 20 years. Since the day I met
her she has been my best friend, my confidant, my shoulder to cry on, my
biggest fan, and most importantly my sister. I’ve had the privilege of seeing
her grow up, find her way, and most recently share her heart and mission with
the world.
I guess hindsight is 20/20, but when I look at what she has
done with Treasured Heart Events, I think, “How did we not see this coming?”
Ashlee has always been there, creatively moving through life and building up
the world around her to be a bit more beautiful.
When we were young, my parents brought home a new standing
lamp for our living room. Ashlee was there when they almost threw away the box,
and at age 5, she took scissors to the box, painted it, and created a puppet
theatre that we would use for the next 10 years. Today, she maintains that
creative ingenuity in all things crafty.
When I had a joke to tell, Ashlee was there to listen. When
she was young, she had these cheeks that were so chubby, tears of laughter
would just sit idle on her face, because her smiling cheeks were so prominently
happy all the time. Fast-forward a few decades, and she still has that
infectious zest for life (minus the cheeks).
When my teacher mother needed help with a design for her 4th
grade classroom, Ashlee was there. She
made countless charts, designed hundreds of posters, and made sure that
everything was done both efficiently and with love.
When my now husband asked me to marry him in April of 2014,
about 2 hours behind schedule, Ashlee was there, secretly in the bushes of that
Fort Worth park, being eaten alive by ants to capture our most memorable photos.
She was relentless in her will to be present for us.
When I moved to Dubai and had to plan our Texas wedding from
8000 miles away, Ashlee was there. She sent me PowerPoint presentations of
venues, color palettes, and food options. She spoke with all the vendors on my
behalf and made sure things were going well back home while I worked in the
Middle East. She was so dedicated to making my perfect day become a reality.
When it came time for me to walk down the aisle, and I
realized my veil was still at the hotel across the street, Ashlee was there.
She ran barefoot across the lawn to retrieve my precious garment. Returning in
a glowing sweat, she placed the veil on my head and said, “Let’s get you
married Karlee Jo.” She was so calm amongst the crazy!
My wedding was the first one that she planned, and also the
one that would reveal her talent and heart for this field. Looking back we see
that she has always been a creative genius with an infectious zest for life.
She has always been organized with efficiency and love, relentless in
her will to be present for those around her, dedicated to those she has
promised to perform for, and calm in any crazy circumstance. AKA: the perfect
event planner.
These are just a few times she has been there for me in my
life—ones that point to who she has become and what Treasured Heart Events is
all about. She has been there for countless other friends, clients, church
youth, and many more.
Ashlee’s heart is a very Treasured Heart. And I know she
cannot wait to share it with you.
