Takeover Tuesday | Karlee Hale | Past Bride

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 4^th 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.