Hey everybody!
I’m Ashley Bonasso. I’m 23 and married my best friend a little over a year ago! We currently live in Charleston, WV however, I moved around some growing up. I’ve lived in VA beach, Myrtle Beach, Pittsburgh, Morgantown, and now Charleston. I definitely feel that moving around contributed to my love for travel and adventure!
I graduated from West Virginia University in May of 2009 with a nursing degree and have been working in the nursing field ever since. My heart breaks for the sick and wounded, and I want to serve and care for others in a selfless, compassionate way that Jesus does. Living this is a continual growing process.
My family is indescribable! My dad, Jeff, is the godly, strong, and steady support that has allowed our family to remain Christ-centered. He is a work hard, play hard kind of guy. My dad has a dedication to God, his wife, his family, and his job that to this day I’ve seen no where else. My mom, Billie, is genuine to the bone. She is a beautiful woman, mother, friend, and confidant to me, and I love her sweet, fun-loving soul. Most say there’s no mistaking who I belong to when seeing us together! My parents met in pharmacy school and have been inseparable since. One of the biggest blessings in my life is their marriage, and I’m so thankful to God for the example they set.
Onto siblings…I’m the oldest of 3! I have a younger brother, Brandon and a younger sister, Carlee. (The fact that we’re ABC is not a coincidence!)
Brandon is a 21-year-old junior at Clemson University and is one of the funniest and goofiest people I know. He has a motivation and drive like none other, yet strives to glorify God in all he pursues. He’s a laidback, fun to be around, and inspiring. Brandon’s girlfriend, Anna-Layne, is currently studying nursing also at Clemson. She is kind and compassionate with a heart for the world that is so encouraging. We love her!
Last but not least is the baby…my sister Carlee. Carlee is an 18-year-old senior in high school who will be attending West Virginia University this upcoming fall. One of the neat things about being an older sibling is I’ve been able to watch her grow into the woman that God has created her to be! She is one stylish chick who does not conform. Carlee is her very own person and is unafraid to let her personality shine. This is what I love most about her.
It’s not often people my age have all four grandparents living, and I do not take this blessing for granted! My dad’s parents are “Oma and Opa.” They are wise, sincere, and two people that I admire and respect whole-heartedly. There are not many people that I would choose to model my life after, however, the example in faith, life, and love they’ve set encourages me to live boldly for Christ. My mom’s parents are Grandma and Granddaddy, and they represent one word to me…Joy. Grandma and Granddaddy are living examples of the pure joy that comes from knowing and walking with Jesus Christ. Granddaddy is a southern Baptist preacher, and John Michael and I were so blessed and honored to have him marry us. My family means everything to me, and I’m so thankful for their love and support!
Yo, I'm John Michael and I'm 24. I was Born and raised in Charleston, WV.. more affectionately known as “the Chuck”. I graduated from Capital High in 2005 and attended West Virginia University. Let’s GO Mountaineers!! There I studied Accounting (the best complement I ever got was when a little kid told me I was too fun to be an accountant). While at WVU, I was involved with Campus Crusade for Christ. That’s where I met my future wifey. After graduation we got married and moved to Charleston, and now I work for United Bank in commercial lending as a Portfolio Manager.
I was raised in an amazing family with two godly parents. I’m the fifth of six kids-two sisters and three brothers. My dad, Mike, is an attorney and a serious athlete. For real, he’s in better shape than I am. My drive to understand the world and how things work comes from my dad, along with my competitive spirit. My mom, Linda, stayed at home with us growing up and I have so much love for her, seeing as how she raised six rambunctious children. She’s now embraced her role as Mama Linda- the doting grandmother of my two nephews. My love for adventure and travel along with my heart for others comes from my mom.
My sister Kathleen is a missionary at heart, moonlighting as an accountant only when she’s not on the mission field. When she was ten, she prayed my parents would have another baby- and here I am! My brother Russ and his wife Bonita have two boys Michael and Daniel and live five minutes down the road. We love living so close and spending time together as their family grows.
My sister Elizabeth is a chemist for a major pharmaceutical company and shares my sarcastic wit. We love taking road trips to Jersey to visit her! My brother Steve and his beautiful wife Jackie live in Ohio and Steve recently took a leap of faith in going back to law school and Jackie is a nurse just like Ash. Lastly, my younger brother Corey is following in my footsteps, studying accounting at WVU. I’m flattered. Too bad he’s way smarter than I ever was. Together we can recite entire movies from our childhood. My family has always been my support system with their faith, love, and encouragement behind me in all my endeavors.
What about “us?”
Well we met in college through our involvement with Campus Crusade for Christ. Although in the same class, our paths didn’t actually cross until our junior year when we became friends and eventually started dating. We discovered that we had so much in common… our faith, our love for the Mountaineers, the Steelers, dance parties, the beach, traveling and our hatred towards Pitt.
Fast-forward two years, and we were married January 2, 2010. We moved to Charleston after the wedding for John Michael’s job and Ashley found a nursing job. We’ve both been so blessed with amazing opportunities and experiences in our jobs. Our bosses and coworkers quickly became like family to each of us. Even though we both enjoy our jobs and life in West Virginia, we felt as if the Lord had something else planned for us. So here we are, stepping out in faith as we prepare for the World Race.
Lastly, we decided to write "Ten Random Things You Should Know" about the other. Enjoy.
She loves pearls and polka dots
He loves polos and Sperrys
She’s a dark chocoholic
He eats anything that is sweet and loaded with sugar
She loves the beach more than anyone I know
He's never met a stranger
She talks to me in her sleep, and never remembers it in the morning
He snores.. a lot
She parks really far from any building entrance because it’s more exercise
He can sleep forever and literally through any noise
She drinks more water daily than I knew was humanly possible
He can entertain you for hours with his many hidden talents
I’m not sure if it’s a nurse thing, but she always looks at people’s veins
He has an uncanny ability to remember calendar dates
She threw up on someone while singing in the church choir in 3rd grade
He secretly wants to be a member of the Backstreet Boys
She doesn’t like cats.. PTL
He can name all of the presidents in order in less than 5 minutes
She’s intimidated by my sick dance moves
He tries to keep up with me on the dance floor
