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Meet the
Ulmers A Dream Come True!
S
unny California is a big place, known for its palm trees, beaches, and the notoriety of multiple bustling cities. But, it was a tiny, obscure farming town with only one grocery store and a K-mart for a shopping “mall” that brought Steven and Ashley together. Almost from the very beginning, destiny was at work, strategically sowing seeds: They were born exactly three weeks apart in the very same hospital. They were classmates in the same Kindergarten class. Middle School interlaced their paths daily through the school’s hallways into the same classrooms. High School did as well. There was never a time when Ashley and Steven didn’t know each other. They grew up as budding friends. Things took on a rosier hue during their Junior year, when Steven donned some shining armor and joined Ashley’s family at a medieval reenactment event. With their shared enthusiasm for history, they both immensely enjoyed several days of mock sword fighting and other medieval festivities. Perhaps an observant wizard cast a spell, because after that, their friendship began to blossom into something more. Just a few months later, they were dating. Within a short time, Ashley says “we both knew it was forever.” After graduating high school, not to be separated, the young dating couple both moved to Utah for college. Steven had always wanted to attend and play football at BYU, and Ashley wanted to stay nearby, of course. So she attended UVSC (now UVU). Steven pursued a degree in mechanical engineering
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My Community - Spanish Fork
Photo by: Sarah Watson
while Ashley worked on a degree in teaching. She completed her schooling first, while Steven went overseas to Bulgaria to serve a religious mission for two years. Ashley wrote to him every single day and also planned their wedding, which occurred several weeks after his return home. Thus, Tinyville, CA may not be on the map for most people, but it’s where two hearts started blooming into one and cast seeds far into their future. You see, in Tinyville, all residents were either farmers, or worked at the prison. Steven’s family worked thousands of acres of land. Ashley’s family had a three-acre hobby farm. All glam aside, their California childhood consisted of dirty hands from many happy hours spent outside in gardens and livestock pens. So, when their own family began to branch out with four children, Steven and Ashley began searching for a place outside of the “big” cities of Provo and Orem for a similar upbringing for their little ones. Spanish Fork, the biggest small town in Utah, was full of that potential. So, they bought a house and put in a small garden. But, even so, something was missing. One winter day, a For Sale sign at the edge of a property flagged Steven down on his way home from work. Ashley got a phone call. Did she want to go see what was behind that For Sale sign? It was just mere curiosity. Ashley was promised they were “just looking.” But, all their self-placation fell away the moment they set foot on the property - a fruit farm. It was
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