The most recent couple, Prentice Ashford and Trisha Newton, were gracious enough to take some time out from wedding planning and shed some light on that very unique proposal, their relationship and also dished out some advice for couples as well.
Names: Trisha Newton and Prentice Ashford
Ages: Trisha, 20; Prentice, 20
Place we currently call home: Abilene, TX
Wedding date: August 11th, 2012
How did you two meet?
We started dating when we were juniors in high school. Trisha was trying to set one of her friends up on a date with this guy by going on a double date, and since she didn’t have a boyfriend at the time, my friend asked Prentice if he would go bowling with us. So that’s how we officially met. We were actually in one of the same classes together but never talked to one another, so it was kind of funny talking together in that class. We started hanging out and getting to know each other, and after 2 months or so, we started dating. The rest
is history. After we started dating for a while, we started to find out that we were actually involved in a lot of the same things together and were around each other but we didn’t know one another. For instance, our little sisters played against each other in soccer, so Trisha and I would be on the same field most Saturday mornings.It is just amazing how God’s timing truly plays a role in every part of your life.
What are you looking forward to the most about marriage?
Trisha: I am looking forward to spending every day with my best friend. I believe that being married is such a sacred covenant and is privileged to those who believe that it can truly last forever. I don’t mind sacrificing and going out of my way for Prentice, so being able to do things for him every day and seeing him smile is something that I look forward to. We also are becoming our own family. Yes, we both have our parents, but it is just us two making decisions that will predict our future and I think that is special. Prentice and I both are studying to be marriage and family therapists, so being married and having personal experience to help others dealing with situations in their relationships is one other thing that I am looking forward to.
Prentice: I am looking forward to being able to provide for such an incredible woman. She is my best friend so why wouldn’t I want to live with her the rest of my life? I am looking forward to being able to create our own family and home atmosphere with each other. I am looking forward to raising our multiple children to be the best citizens they can. I am looking forward to what God has in store for us and how he will use us to influence and be an example to other couples.
[To Prentice] How did you come up with the idea of proposing? How much time went in to making the video?
I wanted to give a proposal that we would be able to tell our future generations. Since we have been dating I constantly told Trisha to be prepared for when I proposed to her because it was going to be huge. Trisha’s favorite artist is Chris Brown. So I decided to mix this into the proposal somehow. A friend and I got together to plan out how this was going to happen. At the end of the day I decided to do a Chris Brown music video with me being Chris Brown. In the videos I put in shots and locations that are significant to our relationship. I had to sit down and strategically map out how I wanted each scene to be shot. It took a total of one and a half months of hard work to create the video. It was hard trying to keep this a secret from Trisha for so long. The next step to the proposal was how could we get Trisha to watch the video. We decided to throw a “Christmas” party. We had the party at one of our college minister’s house. I had to invite Trisha’s best friend from out of town to come in. We had to sneak Trisha’s family in through the back do for the video. Needless to say, it all worked out and the rest is history.
[Trisha] What was going through your mind as you watched the video?
Everything in the video from what Prentice was wearing at different parts and what he was doing had a specific meaning and had to do with our relationship in some way. As the video progressed, I thought something must be up because the video seemed to be just for me. When Prentice said in the video that he remembered the day he asked me to be his wife and started describing my clothes, my heart totally stopped and I couldn’t believe it. I honestly was very emotional the entire video, but I kept telling myself not to cry, so that is why I was laughing and smiling the whole time. In my mind, I kept wondering what was going to happen next, then when the video said “Look behind you” and my family was standing behind me I couldn’t help but start crying because I couldn’t believe that he had gotten them there. My heart was pounding extremely hard at that point, and since Prentice had left before the movie began all I could wonder was where is he and is he going to come in soon.
So many thoughts and flashes of our relationship kept going through my mind as the last song in the montage came on. I was so ready for Prentice to come in and ask me to marry him. In my mind, I had started thinking of how I was going to react when he asked me, but when he came in he looked as nervous and as anxious as I did, and all I could say was YES! At that moment, all that I could think about was the fact that there is no turning back from this point on. We will never be boyfriend and girlfriend again. I was so surprised, shocked, excited, happy and had never felt so much love before in my life. I wouldn’t change anything about that night, and I am thankful that God blessed me with that moment. I will never forget it.
If you could double date with any famous couple, who would you choose and why?
We would double date with Beyonce and Jay-Z no doubt. We love the way they brought both of their lives together to make a power couple. They are two very smart and intelligent people who know how to make the most of their opportunities. Among black entertainers, they are two good role models and are not setting a bad example for young people.
What advice would you give to other dating or engaged couples?
Trisha:
“¢ I would tell any couple to make sure that God is the center of the relationship. If you have God as your common denominator, I promise you that together, you can conquer any task or trial that is thrown at you.
“¢ For those couples who are dating, I would suggest making sure that you could see yourself marrying anyone that you chose to be in a relationship with because there is a chance that could happen.
“¢ Have an open line of communication and be completely honest with each other. It makes life a lot easier if you are able to talk through problems with honesty and without fear of how the other person might react instead of yelling at the top of your lungs to get your point across.
“¢ Be accountable. Whether it is making sure one another only eats one piece of pie when a commitment of a healthy lifestyle is made, or just making sure one another lets you know when you make it to your destination safely, accountability can make or break a relationship.
“¢ For those couples who are engaged, I would suggest taking the time to remember why you fell in love, and make each other feel important every time you are with the other person. Have deep discussions all the time, and have fun making decisions together (including wedding plans).
“¢ Take time to pray together.
Prentice:
“¢ I would tell them to stay within the parameters of what God has outlined. Things will be so much better if you follow God.
Prentice & Trisha
“¢ Save sex for marriage. This is HUGE. Sex is meant for married people to enjoy and bring them close together. Sex is the ultimate human pleasure and is God’s way of showing how much he loves you (if done under his authority after marriage). If you wait, God already promises us that he will take care of us.