So I wanted to do a big ashbang post with a ton of links bcs you know, but I ended up making this on my phone, so really this is just a skeleton of my whole theory.
Some people think that Dan and Ashley haven’t been dating for very long, but ooohhh, I don’t think that’s true. Given Dan’s level of commitment issues and general free spirit attitude, he’d have to be dating someone for a long time to know they were The One. And I’m MORE THAN willing to bet they started as friends with benefits, or even just as friends, started dating, broke it off, started again, etc. until Dan (and maybe Ashley, too, bcs in this scenario, I cannot imagine her not being the same way) got his act together and decided to make it serious.
I’m wondering if this is the same Ashley of “does Bruno Mars is gay” fame. With Dan being the kind of guy he is, it wouldn’t surprise me if Ashley has been around a long time. Ashley is an animator. She and Dan could’ve easily met through Arin, who even though he isn’t animating is rubbing shoulders with larger companies due to voice acting, and there could’ve been a party where they met. Ashley is also a fairly common name, so this could just as easily not be true. But regardless, I think they HAD to be friends first before they were lovers.
My first clue that Dan had a girlfriend was way back in 2016 when, in BOTW, Dan mentioned not wanting to attend the Ren Faire bcs it had jynxed his past relationships. I think he let that slide a little bit early, but it was a MAJOR clue that he had settled down. The second is actually more recent, during Dan’s Myers-Briggs test. His personality type had said something about wanting to settle down, and Dan said something like: “well, I didn’t always feel that way, but now I’m starting to,” and, to me, Arin sounded intrigued from what I can remember.
Here’s the thing. I don’t think Dan would have posted about her publicly AT ALL if he wasn’t at least 80% sure she was The One. As I said before: Dan’s history with the fair sex and dating hasn’t exactly been the long-term type. Part of me thinks he may have thought about revealing it sooner, but may have held off due to two large events occurring on Grumps in the past year (Barry leaving and Ross and Holly splitting). That kind of sudden change can wildly upset a fanbase, so either he had wanted to then and held it off, or he had a Serious Talk with Ashley which rither led him to that decision, or she was in agreement with him on that, and was okay with it.
In general, I also think Ashley understood the predicament Dan was in. As I’ve said before: Dan’s aware of the fandom. And with the streams, it’s unfortunately brought to light some pretty creepy messages directed towards him. Ashley understood and was okay with that. She strikes me a little bit like Suzy; she doesn’t mind being known as “Dan’s girlfriend,” but she also wants to establish herself as an individual. I’m not surprised that this kind of calm, understanding, powerful woman attracted Dan’s attention. Dan loves and honors his mom, grandmother, and sister. Generally, he speaks respectfully of women, and we all know he, uh...knows how to treat them beneath the sheets.
I’ve only been following Ashley’s Instagram since the day after Dan revealed her, but I’ve noticed she and Dan share the same favorite Disney princess, Ariel. (Just a cute fact!) Based on what I know about Dan’s personality, I can guess that she is also much calmer than he is, or, at least, doesn’t freak out about the same things he does. She likely respects his space (when working, touring, or otherwise.) She is also likely intuitive, able to determine his needs, wants, or inner thoughts without him having to speak them. She is likely to be a bit hands off as opposed to touchy-feely (Dan probably couldn’t be with someone who needed lots of PDA.) She is either a workaholic like Dan, or she leaves her work at work and just monitors him. She likely is receptive to romantic gestures, but doesn’t expect them. (Dan’s tendency to forget things makes me think she makes the couples calander.) I also get the feeling she’s a bit more tech-savy than Dan, but not attached to her tech. Both of them probably bonded over mindfulness. Nerds 😅😅😅
(I like to think she’s a good cook because I am TRASH, but you didn’t see that! 😡)
I’m excited to know more about them and further reveals about Ashley’s personality! It’ll be really cool to learn about how the two work as a couple. At least to me.
Also, just as a final note: if you don’t care about this post, my THEORIES that I have NOT claimed as truth, nor have I implied that I sought this information out by posing direct questions to the people involved, I kindly ask that you refrain from sending me hate about it. I would also kindly ask that you temper your own curiosity and do not go forth seeking information from the parties mentioned in this post in my name, your name, or the name of curiosity.
Above all, I want nothing but happiness and peace for Dan and Ashley, and I want them to be treated with respect. Keep it that way, please!
