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Ashley Smith

@builtwithash

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✨ Aka Ash
building a life of wonder that feels like freedom
Faith • Wellness • Empowerment
💕Matthew 19:26

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somewhere between where I’m standing and where I’m headed by @builtwithash

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7 days ago

They call me Princess Poppy at work (you know, from the movie Trolls) because I’m normally laughing, smiling, and finding the good in people.

The truth? I don’t always wake up in a good mood. I’m sunny side up most of the time, but I get down too. And sometimes I forget who I am.

When I do, I often need my people to remind me.

Joy is something we give, receive, and choose. Who helps remind you who you are? Tag ‘em ⬇️❤️ by @builtwithash

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11 days ago

for years i was surviving.

single mama doing my best to give my son the life he deserved while learning to love myself. self doubt crippled me in ways words make it hard to express.

step by step we made it through. now i get to enjoy having an amazing adult child i’m so proud of.

at 39, when he went to college, i started fresh. new city, new career, sold almost everything i owned and moved across the country.

i’ve since met the man of my dreams and built a life i actually love. and i still have more dreams i’m chasing — but i’m done waiting for permission to go after them. that was the Ash of the past, too busy worrying about what people thought of her.

i’m walking straight into everything God has for me and i’m not looking back.

who wants to come with me?! if you’ve been waiting for a sign to take the leap and build a whole new life — this is it. comment NEW if you’re committed to building the life you WANT or share a dream with me you’re committed to going after!! i wanna hear it! ❤️ by @builtwithash

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15 days ago

said yes to a quick Chicago trip — the view was worth it 🤍 by @builtwithash

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a month ago

Maui Memories 🌺 🌈

It’s been a little over a month since we got home from Hawaii. It was truly one of the sweetest experiences of my life so far.

Looking through the pictures, they don’t do it justice. Maybe that’s why it took me so long to post some of them.

Experiencing it with my fiancé and both our kids was truly amazing.

Chris proposing to me was a complete surprise. The thought and care he put into it, including my son and his girls, made it something I will cherish forever.

I’ve been single for a really long time (over 19 years!), with only one short, serious relationship in that time. God knew what he was doing, taking his time with me and getting me ready to be open to a love so pure and genuine — one made to fit me perfectly.

If you’re waiting on God for a miracle, just know: He is faithful. His best is always worth the wait. This story is just getting started. ❤️

I love adventures with you! ❤️

I stood on that ledge a good 3 minutes convincing myself to jump! By the time I did, over a 100 people had gathered around to watch - all I’m sure wondering if I was gonna do it!! It was AMAZING. 10/10 recommended overcoming your fears - especially when you have to show your son you’ll do it!! 💋

I said YES! 7.12.26 💍 by @builtwithash

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a month ago

It feels so right that you asked me to marry you on our drive on the Road to Hana. It was a scary and exhilarating drive - a narrow, winding road with crazy sharp curves, and plenty of rain. Yet around every corner, the clouds would part to reveal a new, beautiful wonder to see and explore. It’s honestly been a lot like my life, and my journey to crossing paths with you.

God, in His goodness, brought us into each other’s lives at the perfect time, in the most perfect way. After our first phone conversation, I knew something was different about you.

You make me feel like the most beautiful, loved woman on the planet. The way you love me has transformed my heart and softened me in ways I didn’t know were possible. Loving you is easy; being loved by you is a treasure. I’d say yes to you a thousand times. You + me, until forever. ❤️ taken in Road To Hana - Maui by @builtwithash

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3 months ago

41… a new chapter begins! 🤍

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ by @builtwithash

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3 months ago

Dearest June.

Adventured with the man I love. Traveled to a new city and had a blast with strangers I met on IG that turned to friends. An epic photo shoot. A new tattoo. A flat tire, twice.

Moved houses. Packed up everything I owned in a Tahoe by myself. Got rid of everything that can’t go with me to this new chapter.

Had hard conversations with myself and others. Made empowered choices. Overcame fears. Gave myself lots of grace. Slowed down to enjoy little wonders hiding in my everyday.

Celebrated. Laughed hard and cried. Then let it all go.

I’m turning the page on June and my 40th year right.

July begins tomorrow and it feels monumental - sweet, wide open and full of possibility. I’m overflowing with gratitude and hope. 41 I’m coming for you. 🤍 by @builtwithash

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3 months ago

look for beauty and you’ll always find it 🤍 by @builtwithash

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4 months ago

wild grace.

once I was a wild teenager, desperately longing to be seen and accepted.

selling my soul and breaking my heart to be known.

then I met a God who’s love for me was so deep that he lifted me out of darkness and pulled into his marvelous light.

just to be accepted by him.

just to be seen by him.

just to be loved by him.

i thought that meant he wanted me to clean myself up and become a good, pleasing girl so I could stay in grace.

i did my best to be the perfect version I thought he wanted. the one i was sure others would accept and call good too. always sure not to be too much all at once.

then one day, tired and worn from the pursuit of perfection, Jesus whispered to my heart…

“i didn’t save you to tame you. i saved you to set you free to be wildly alive.”

wild to feel. wild to love with fiery passion. wild to run. wild to pursue. wild to be pursued. wild to dream. wild to laugh. wild to dance. wild to create. wild to experience beauty. wild to be free.

grace is unmerited, unearned and unconditional.

freely given, but it absolutely requires two things. an open heart to receive and open arms to surrender.

it’s time to live again…. in wild grace. 🤍

📸 @sonnyloya by @builtwithash

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4 months ago

Joy isn’t a mood you wait for you, it’s one you choose. Sometimes it looks like off-key car karaoke in the middle of nowhere. 🤍 by @builtwithash

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4 months ago

It’s a NEW DAY, it’s a NEW WEEK! Only YOU have the power to create a new life — with new habits, new choices, new thoughts, new community. You have more control than you think. Even if it feels hard right now, YOU have the ability to change TODAY.

One small step in the right direction is all it takes to start new momentum. Movement doesn’t have to look perfect (like this photoshoot with amazing people, which was pretty epic 😉). It can be as simple as this — commit to moving your body this week.

If you can’t get to a gym, go for a walk. As you walk, notice the chatter in your head get quieter, the stress decrease, and joy start to trickle into your soul. The birds chirping, kids playing, dogs walking. Colors coming alive in the trees. You might even notice — you feel more alive too.

You deserve to feel good in this life, in YOUR body. Your family will thank you. Your relationships will thank you. And the person staring back in the mirror will begin to soften — and one day you’ll look back, smile, and thank YOU.

Now go enJOY moving your body! ❤️ by @builtwithash

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4 months ago