
What's better than vacationing with your besties? Avery and David sit down with their close friends, Jesse and Ashley Adkins, for an episode full of laughter, nostalgia, and mushy moments. While on spring break family vacation, they dive into everything from high school days to military stories, births, and parenting chronicles. The group swaps funny stories, discusses the ups and downs of raising children, and reflects on their deep bond that feels more like family than friendship.
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Avery Woods
I think this might be my favorite episode of Cheers yet. And we haven't even recorded anything because we have our besties here. I don't even like calling you our best friends because you're really our family, but we have the Atkins here. Yay. So cheers. Why don't you guys introduce yourselves for those that don't know who you are, this is Jesse.
Ashley Atkins
I'm Ashley. We've been married for 11 years. We have two kids, same age as Ziggy and Stevie, and we've been best friends with you guys for a long time.
Avery Woods
David and I lived in San Diego.
Ashley Atkins
But we should tell that story. Oh, how we first met.
Jesse Adkins
Hell, like, that's the worst first impression.
Avery Woods
We really wanted the guys to meet because they had never officially met.
David
You said, like, he was drinking.
Ashley Atkins
Jesse's not with me. And I'm like, sorry, he's getting sick. Sick? You were throwing up Behind.
Jesse Adkins
I was hungover.
David
He was behind the dumpster throwing up.
Ashley Atkins
Dumpster throwing up.
Avery Woods
So you guys have been married for a million years?
Ashley Atkins
11 years. You added me on Facebook, right?
Avery Woods
How about we go around and say our favorite trait about each person then?
David
Okay. Favorite.
Ashley Atkins
I like that.
Avery Woods
Hi, welcome to Cheers. I'm your host, Avery Woods. I think this might be my favorite episode of Cheers yet. And we haven't even recorded anything because we have our besties here, AKA I don't even like calling you our best friends because you're really our family. But we have the Atkins here. Yay. We're on spring break. Family vacay with all the kids in San Diego, and we figured might as well do a Pawn episode because everyone wants you guys on all the time. So. Cheers. Celebrity cheers. Three of us are drinking wine and David's drinking a diet Coke. Loser with his sunglasses on.
David
Alcohol would be a bad thing for me right now.
Avery Woods
Thank you guys so much for being on. Let me take a swiggle.
Ashley Atkins
We're excited.
Jesse Adkins
We love you guys.
Ashley Atkins
Now what?
Avery Woods
Why don't you guys introduce yourselves? For those that don't know who you.
Ashley Atkins
Are, you can go first.
Avery Woods
Oh, Jesse's been waiting for this moment. He goes, should I have paparazzi, like, prepped outside my house after this goes live? Or like, how does it work?
Jesse Adkins
So my name is Jesse.
David
Oh, my God, bro, I've never seen you like this. You're so nervous.
Jesse Adkins
I'm Jesse Adkins. I like to party.
David
Oh, my God.
Jesse Adkins
I don't know what to say. I'm. I'm Jesse Adkins, husband of Ashley Atkins.
Ashley Atkins
I'll take this over.
Avery Woods
Yeah, I think Ashley.
David
Ashley's like, I got this. I'm good to go.
Jesse Adkins
I like Eggo waffles.
Avery Woods
Oh, my God.
Ashley Atkins
Okay. This is Jesse. I'm Ashley. We've been married for 11 years. We have two kids, same age as Ziggy and Stevie, and we've been best friends with you guys for a long time. 2017.
Avery Woods
Yeah.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
David
It hasn't been that long, but I've.
Avery Woods
Known you guys for like the majority of my life, which is kind of crazy. It just. When David and I lived in San Diego, you guys, I knew Aisling was mutuals with her. And I had known you, just not like, closely. Yeah, but you were wanting to be a police officer. And then we all met up and then we were inseparable ever since even living in different states.
Ashley Atkins
But we should tell that story about how we first met because.
David
Oh, yeah, that is funny.
Ashley Atkins
He doesn't know how to. Hell yeah.
Jesse Adkins
To party.
Avery Woods
Yeah. Well, we live.
Jesse Adkins
That's a foul. Yeah, like. Like that's the worst first impression too. I remember. I remember being my story. Yeah.
Avery Woods
Well, we lived in San Diego, Ashley and here visiting. Were visiting from Arizona.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
And we really wanted the guys to meet because they had never officially met. And Jesse really wanted to be a cop. So he had gotten out of the military and he wanted some pointers from David on how to become a police officer. And we met up with them at like a brunch spot from farm to table.
Ashley Atkins
The dogs with me. Yes, we did. We had the dogs because we Came out and visited. We weren't there visiting you guys. We just coincidentally were there and we.
Jesse Adkins
Decided to do that.
David
You were staying. I remember you were staying over by San Diego State.
Ashley Atkins
Yes.
David
And like, we rented a room on.
Ashley Atkins
Airbnb, like at somebody's house. They lived there. Yeah, we, like, stayed in their. Their room.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
David
But you said he was drinking with the. With the guy.
Jesse Adkins
Who.
Ashley Atkins
The Airbnb host.
David
Typical Jesse.
Ashley Atkins
We're drinking with red wine, a lot of red wine. And then we show up the next day and I show up to see. Because I. You guys are already sitting there. I walk in and Jesse's not with me, and I'm like, sorry, he's getting sick. You were throwing up behind.
Jesse Adkins
I was hungover.
David
He was behind the dumpster. Throwing up.
Ashley Atkins
Dumpster throwing up.
David
Because we were.
Ashley Atkins
And that was the beginning.
Avery Woods
Yeah.
Jesse Adkins
I made a noob.
David
No. But then you came up and you were fine. You drank more.
Avery Woods
You were totally.
Jesse Adkins
Rallying. Yeah.
David
Like, do you want some wine? Or whatever? Because I remember we had gotten a bottle of wine because I was. And I also remember I was wearing a God awful felt hat.
Ashley Atkins
You had, like a fedora.
Avery Woods
Oh, my God, you're wearing a plaid.
David
If we could. If we have a photo of that, we should have Scotty overlay the photo. On the video, we're kissing in our most embarrassing photo.
Ashley Atkins
You guys have matching hat. Yeah.
Avery Woods
We thought we were so stylish.
Jesse Adkins
Oh, my God.
David
So bad. We're like, oh, we're San Diego.
Avery Woods
We were like, we're so vog right now.
David
So trendy.
Avery Woods
Puking in the parking lot of a dumpster.
David
He's probably like, who is this douche bag? Working belt.
Avery Woods
You're like, he's a police officer.
Ashley Atkins
Half of it.
Jesse Adkins
Half of it.
Avery Woods
I'm st.
David
This guy's no cop.
Jesse Adkins
No, that was. I mean, that was.
David
I mean, technically, I wasn't a cop at the time.
Avery Woods
Yeah. So Jesse was in the Navy for six years. So what was your job of the Navy?
Jesse Adkins
I was a flight engineer on the glorious P3 Orion, which is an old crusty airplane that's retired now and he just doesn't even exist any. Well, it does, but it's mostly retired, so.
Avery Woods
And he did it for six years, right?
Jesse Adkins
Yep, six years. Started in Pensacola, then to Jacksonville to complete school, and then up in Whidbey Allen, Washington, and then did a bunch of deployments out of there. All over the world. Middle East, Japan, Australia. It was fun. It was a good time.
Avery Woods
Did you always know you wanted to be a cop when you got out?
Jesse Adkins
Yeah. Before. Before the Navy, I knew I wanted to be a cop, and it's been good. But, you know, being in the Navy, even in law enforcement, you know, like, aviation is a big key. I love the aviation side of everything. So it's been a good career. It's going solid.
Avery Woods
Jesse loves to fly.
Jesse Adkins
Love to fly, Love aviation and join the Air Force. Then, technically, the Navy has more aircraft than the Air Force. Do you know?
Avery Woods
Oh, no.
Ashley Atkins
You're gonna learn more than what you wanted to learn. Yeah. Don't open up that can of worms.
Jesse Adkins
Check that.
David
It's probably true.
Avery Woods
Now, my cootie, you all know, is a nurse. And she's been an ICU nurse for, what, nine years now?
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. This will be my ninth year in the icu. Ten, tenth year of nursing here in August.
Avery Woods
You're getting up there.
Ashley Atkins
I'm crusty and dusty now.
Jesse Adkins
Crusty.
Ashley Atkins
And see, I'm a seasoned old nurse.
Avery Woods
Yeah. It's so insane.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
And on top of working in the icu, she also writes crash courses and does a lot of nursing education on social media. So she's very busy. Yes, very busy. Queen.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. And then the kids.
Avery Woods
Yeah. And she is these two. Three children.
Ashley Atkins
Three children.
Avery Woods
Yeah. Our lives are very parallel, and a lot of you guys are always really curious about it because it's honestly kind of weird.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah, it is kind of. It's a cool story.
Avery Woods
It should be like a fairy tale book story, seriously. So I've known them, obviously, forever. Like, even my mom was Jesse's youngest brother's first grade teacher. So we're all connected in some sort of way. But when we all started, like, really seriously hanging out and becoming really, really close, Jesse and Ashley hadn't had kids yet. And then we hadn't had our own kids. We had an Eye and Sydney. But we kind of started, like, planning getting pregnant together.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. We were like, talking about, when. When do you want to have a baby? And we're like, oh, things soon. And then we're like, we're gonna start trying. You're like, yeah, we're gonna start trying.
Avery Woods
Yeah. I was like, actually, okay, I'll start trying, too. And then you got pregnant before me.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
And because I wasn't using ovulation, like the test strip.
Ashley Atkins
Yes.
Avery Woods
And I started doing the temperature method.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
And so you got pregnant. And then I got pregnant the next month. So Callie and Ziggy ended up being exactly 20 days apart. But the only reason was because.
Ashley Atkins
Oh, and overdue.
Avery Woods
You were overdue. And they induced me a Week early. So instead of a month apart, they were 20 days apart.
Ashley Atkins
Yep.
Avery Woods
And then next kid around, we said, we're gonna do the same thing. So Callie and ziggy are exactly 20 days apart, and then two and a half years later, Crew and Stevie are exactly 20 days apart.
Ashley Atkins
Yep.
Jesse Adkins
Which is wild.
Avery Woods
Which is insane to think about.
David
That's crazy.
Ashley Atkins
I remember because when we said we were gonna start trying for crew, you guys were kind of on the fence, but then you had your whole IUD situation, so you're like, well, it's already out. What's the difference of a couple months? Let's just start trying. So then you got pregnant, too.
Avery Woods
Yeah.
Ashley Atkins
And I remember when you told us, we were sitting, I think outside of my house on the back patio, and I remember calculating our due dates because I knew mine and then you knew yours, and I was like, wait, that's 20 days apart. And we both knew that we were going to probably do seas. Or you for sure knew. You want to do a C section with Stevie. I was on the fence, but I was like, well, if we both schedule our C sections at 39 weeks, we're going to have 20 day apart babies around.
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David
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Avery Woods
A roll that feels like paradise and.
Ashley Atkins
Always at a heavenly prize.
David
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Avery Woods
We also had a very similar birth experience with Cali and Ziggy, which was really crazy because you and I, the whole time really wanted to do natural burst. And then. So you went into labor first, but you were over. How many days late were you?
Ashley Atkins
I had Cali at 40 and 6, but I went into labor at, like, 40 and 4, I think around there. And so it took a. Yeah, it.
Avery Woods
Took a long time. But I remember when you were like, I have a shift when I'm, like, 39 weeks pregnant. There's no way I'm gonna make it that far. And then you like, we're still pregnant. Still pregnant. And you worked that last shift and you sent me a picture of your mucus.
Ashley Atkins
I lost it at work. Oh, my gosh. I was like. I was so excited. I showed everybody. Yeah, everybody who worked with me that day. I'm sorry, but you saw the movie.
Avery Woods
So excited because you wanted your baby to get there. And then you went into labor and you're like, I don't know if they're gonna keep me at the hospital. They did. And I'm, like, staying up all night. Well, I didn't really expect you to labor for two days. And then I remember when you texted me a picture and you were like, I'm getting the epidural. Like, I'm so sick.
Jesse Adkins
I was actually scarring, though. Like, legit not. Jokes aside, tell me how scarring. Oh, it was. I was, like, scared. I was like, what this? I feel like in the. You know, I'm not comparing. Movies are Hollywood. Hollywood's Hollywood. But, like, you expect to go in, be there, you know, a couple hours in, then you have a baby. And now it's like, I remember, like, all night had passed. I'm like, okay, it's going to be today in the morning. Then the morning pass. Like, all right. Afternoon. Nope. Dinner time. Like, yeah. Like, no. And now it's like, you know, going on 10:00, and I'm like, what is going on? And then that's when we found out about the umbilical cord around her.
Ashley Atkins
No, they didn't know that till she was born. But basically, I just didn't progress past a 9. And then I Was having fevers and other issues. But in. In the. In hindsight, it probably. It needed to happen. So, yeah, it was fine.
Avery Woods
Ash ended up having a C section. The cord was wrapped around Cali's neck twice.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
So she wasn't progressing, but I was like, oh, my God, that's crazy. And then, of course, that was 20 days before Ziggy was born. So you were, like, updating me on all the newborn things of, like, not sleeping. And you were like, this is the hardest thing.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah, this sucks.
Avery Woods
Oh, I'm so scared because we talked every day, and you were, like, telling me, like, I got 30 minutes of sleep, like, six different times throughout the night, and I was like, I'm going to die.
Ashley Atkins
We would text each other, though, once you had Ziggy.
Avery Woods
Yeah.
Ashley Atkins
Be in the middle of the night and two in the morning. Like, you wake.
Avery Woods
Oh, yeah.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
David
How quickly did you guys come over?
Ashley Atkins
Because six weeks. Like, three weeks Thanksgiving.
Avery Woods
I want to tell the similarities of our birth first before we get into that, because I ended up. I was opposite of Ash. I didn't go over. They induced me a week early because his head size was so big. Ziggy had such a massive head. And they also accounted for David's current height and his birth weight. And I was a really big baby, too. So they were like, if you want to try vaginal, you need to try earlier.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
Because he's gonna keep getting bigger. So he induced me. They hooked me up, give me a pitocin, and after 43 hours, I was max on pit. And then they did three cervical Foley balloons. I only dilated to a two. So then we did a C section, and we were like, what the. This is so insane how similar it was.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
So then, yeah, we'd be up all night because both of us were exclusively breastfeeding. We would text each other all night long, like, are you up? You would send me, like, links to Amazon things.
Ashley Atkins
I've had so many Amazon purchases.
Avery Woods
Yeah. In the middle of the night, in the morning, because we're so desperate.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
Send each other links of what we're using for the baby.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. I need 20 different Binkies. Yeah, Just order.
Avery Woods
Yep. And then poor Cali had tongue and lip tie.
Jesse Adkins
Oh, yeah.
Avery Woods
She was a really hard baby.
David
So bad.
Ashley Atkins
I think I've blocked that time out of my life.
Avery Woods
Oh, my God.
David
Yeah, because you guys, you were debating coming to San Diego because I think it was like, the week before, it was things or something. You were like, you have this tongue tie thing going on that Was.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Jesse Adkins
Thanksgiving. I remember.
Avery Woods
And Callie was only six weeks old.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
Ziggy was two weeks old.
Jesse Adkins
Waking up multiple times a night. You know, put your finger.
Avery Woods
Do the exercises.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah, do the exercises.
David
I just remember, like. Just like you guys come to San Diego. And I remember waking up in the morning and just everyone's like, hanging out, quiet. Not really.
Ashley Atkins
No one says anything.
David
Just, like, staring and what have we done?
Avery Woods
Oh, yeah, I had my little rocker and you guys were sleeping in the girl's room. And it was like 3am and I remember you. Jesse walked out into the kitchen to get a bottle. I was like, good morning. I said, good morning. And you're like, walking. I have like, a baby on my. And I'm like, try not to fall asle.
Jesse Adkins
Doing this bottle feed and doing the tongue exercises with her for her tongue tie. I'm sitting there staring across the room at a bearded dragon. Like, oh, my God, Tony. Oh, yeah, Tony. Like, you too, huh?
Avery Woods
Do you know what made me really sad, though, was when I had never before seen Ashley emotional. I'm up in the recliner in the morning, and you were up all night with Cali.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
Like, she was sleep. Like. And you walk in the living room, you're holding Cali, and you're like, I just don't know what to do anymore. And you start hysterically, hysterically crying. And I'm like, oh, my God, what do I do in this moment? Like, I had never seen you like that. I felt so bad for you.
David
That's what. Ziggy was only a couple weeks old then.
Avery Woods
Yeah. But Ziggy was also an extraordinary baby.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
And then we swapped because Stevie was so difficult. And crew was the easiest baby. Yeah.
David
I was trend. There is each time we had daughters.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. Yeah. Just different. Different.
Jesse Adkins
No tablet time.
Avery Woods
But now. But now, look, as they get older, like, the boys are so hyperactive and wild.
Ashley Atkins
Oh, my gosh.
Avery Woods
Yes.
Ashley Atkins
And spacey. They're both so spicy. They're so loving. But they're like. They're just in la la land all the time.
Avery Woods
I know.
Ashley Atkins
No, that's for sure.
Avery Woods
Are you kidding me? She's the smartest bitch. I know.
Jesse Adkins
She is.
David
That's Cali.
Avery Woods
Yeah. Well, and now they are all just.
David
Callie just doesn't suppress her emotions like Ashley does.
Ashley Atkins
Callie is still learning to learn when she needs to put it out there when she needs to, just not.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah, she's. She can go off her rocker.
David
That's funny.
Avery Woods
Well, and they're basically cousins because you can't even.
David
That's What? We always have.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
David
Anybody who doesn't like. No, no, us actually thinks we're, like, family related.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah, yeah.
Jesse Adkins
100.
Avery Woods
Well, because.
David
Oh, they were brothers.
Avery Woods
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Jesse Adkins
Just go with it at this point.
Avery Woods
Yeah. Ziggy and cali were like 10 months old. We were like, so are you guys are auntie and uncle? And we're like, yeah, we were seeing at that sushi place. Sushi brokers.
Ashley Atkins
Oh, yeah, that's right.
Avery Woods
And then we're like, okay, well, we're. We're the auntie and uncle to each other's kids.
Ashley Atkins
Yep.
Jesse Adkins
Boom. So trade market.
Ashley Atkins
And now they fight over.
Avery Woods
And now they beat the. Out of each other.
Ashley Atkins
Everything. It's like having two sets of twins when they're hanging out together, it's like, it's semi enjoyable, but then the other half is just, like, them fighting.
Avery Woods
Yeah.
Ashley Atkins
Makes it.
David
Yeah. Oh, yeah.
Ashley Atkins
Like, we're trying to hang out. Everybody. Could you guys get along?
David
I know. Well, go at each other's throats.
Avery Woods
They're also, like, getting at. Not that they weren't enjoyable before, but it's. It's starting to become easier and easier. Like, they're more self sufficient. They played together.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
David
Yeah. They can make it worse.
Jesse Adkins
The little ones just.
Avery Woods
Yeah. Stevie and Crew still, you know, have a hard time every once in a while.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah. Three years old.
David
Always make each other cry at least once a day.
Avery Woods
Remember when I got a tubal ligation after CV and after Crew, you're like, I just can't do that. Like, I could have another one. This wanted, like 100 kids.
Jesse Adkins
There was no.
Ashley Atkins
Well, okay. So when we. When we had our second, we didn't know the gender. You guys know the gender of Stevie. And so we didn't know if we're having another girl or if we were gonna have a boy.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
Ashley Atkins
And so we're kind of like, well, if we have another girl, maybe we'd try for a third. But you kind of were always on the game plan of only having two. And I was like, well, maybe, like, how do I know? Like, until, you know, they said I wanted.
Jesse Adkins
I was on board with the three. And then when you have one and you go, oh, this is. Yeah, this is wild. Like, so wild. Roller coaster of emotions.
David
And then you get to just the.
Jesse Adkins
Schedule change harder than your whole life changes. And then I was like, well, I definitely want to go ahead and then take on the whole how we got, like, out of the concept of three or two.
Ashley Atkins
Oh, like the Disneyland ride thing.
Jesse Adkins
Well, no, that wasn't a Breaking the Disneyland theory.
Avery Woods
We're the Disneyland. You don't want a single rider.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
So I was either having two or four, which I believe. Four or six.
David
Six. Six.
Ashley Atkins
I can't imagine the. The more time that's gone on after having the. Our. Our second crew. I'm like, I can't imagine restarting just. For me personally, like, kudos to the people that have more than two.
Jesse Adkins
The compromise was.
Ashley Atkins
What was the compromise? Getting a boat.
Avery Woods
Yeah.
Jesse Adkins
That was not the compromise.
David
That is the third child.
Jesse Adkins
That is the third child.
Ashley Atkins
That is.
Jesse Adkins
No, it was when. Because we did the surprise gender reveal for crew, and it. I was like, all right. Oh, if we have another girl, like, maybe you'd have. I want. Yeah. I want to. I would push the luck. I would gamble for the boy.
David
Oh, okay.
Jesse Adkins
And like, yeah, try to get the boy girl. You know, get a boy in the mix.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Jesse Adkins
And then I was like, but if we have a boy, then we'll call it good boy, girl, Good combo.
David
That's kind of initially how I was with. With Ziggy.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
David
I was like, if we have a boy, I'm good.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah, I know. You said that.
David
Avery's like, you're full of.
Avery Woods
And now look at your Stevie Lee.
David
Yeah. I love that little girl to death.
Avery Woods
I know. She's like your little bestie.
David
She is my best friend.
Avery Woods
That was one thing that I love doing together, was the surprise gender.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
David
Everyone should do surprise genders.
Ashley Atkins
Everyone except for Jesse. If Jesse was pregnant, he would find out second.
David
You didn't like it.
Jesse Adkins
I didn't like it. Oh, really? I wanted to know, like, knowing that there was an envelope out in the universe with the gender. I was like, why she wouldn't tell me.
David
Why do you need to know so badly?
Jesse Adkins
What's that?
David
Why do you need to know?
Ashley Atkins
That's just. That's just him.
David
Like, you can't keep it.
Jesse Adkins
I just don't like surprise.
Ashley Atkins
He does.
Jesse Adkins
I love surprises when I don't know about the surprise.
Ashley Atkins
This is Jesse.
Jesse Adkins
He's like, there's a surprise. I'm like, I gotta get.
David
It's like, oh, it's so cool.
Ashley Atkins
This is Jesse. He'll be like, maybe for my birthday this year, we can, like, have a surprise party. And I'm like, but don't tell me. But don't tell me about it.
Avery Woods
Just, like, stressor group text. Hey, everyone. So if you all are.
David
Well, if you guys could do a.
Avery Woods
Surprise part this year, that'd be great.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
David
Wait, that's on a TV show? What TV show is that?
Ashley Atkins
I don't know. But you don't. You like surprises, but you don't want to know there's a surprise if you know that there's a surprise. He is relentless. Relentless with trying to get information.
Jesse Adkins
You wouldn't even tell me. Going back to the. Like, you wouldn't even tell me who had the envelope.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah, because I gave Melissa the envelope. Like, I wanted a couple.
Jesse Adkins
Figure it out and figure it out.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. Once we knew the names, the girl name, the boy name, I wanted some items for in the hospital. Like a swaddle with the name on it of whatever gender we had. Oh, yeah, I remember I gave it to Melissa because I wanted you guys to be surprised too.
Avery Woods
Oh, yeah.
Ashley Atkins
So I gave it to my friend Melissa and she. I said, here's the boy name, here's the girl name. This is the envelope of the gender, like whatever gender it is. Can you order? Please order X, Y and Z and I'll venmo you.
Avery Woods
That was so fun because then we got like a little custom outfit and like a little. Yeah, we did their names and stuff.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
David
And that little wooden thing.
Avery Woods
Yeah. Don't you want another one?
Jesse Adkins
No.
David
No.
Avery Woods
So you guys have been married for a million years?
Ashley Atkins
11 years old. Yeah.
Jesse Adkins
Yep. March 8th.
Ashley Atkins
Which is crazy. We also got married at 20 and 21. So every time I say 11 years, people are like, how old did you get married?
Avery Woods
Yeah, yeah.
Ashley Atkins
Cuz we got married young.
Avery Woods
And do you want to tell the story of how you met?
Jesse Adkins
It's so embarrassing.
Ashley Atkins
It's kind of lame. Not like, cool. The short answers. We met through Facebook, but the long answer.
Jesse Adkins
Day in Tijuana. And.
Ashley Atkins
The long answer is we went to high. You actually went to the same elementary through high school together, but you were a year. Yeah, he was a year older than me.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
Ashley Atkins
And so when you. You added me on Facebook.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. It was like, people you may know, Facebook was like a big thing.
Jesse Adkins
Mutual friends. I'm like, obviously I know her.
Ashley Atkins
Why did you add me, though? Why did you add me?
Jesse Adkins
Thought you were hot.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. He thought I was hot. Yeah.
David
Yeah.
Ashley Atkins
I think I messaged you and I was like, do we know.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah, you're like, do I know you? And I'm just. I remember like sitting in Pensacola, staring at my little Dell laptop and I'm like, you know, you get the little back when it would like pop up.
Avery Woods
Yeah.
Jesse Adkins
Side window.
Avery Woods
Yeah.
Jesse Adkins
When they message you. And the like, within minutes, she accepted. And then it went. Do I know you? With like, you know, just the Colon and then the parentheses. And I'm like sitting there staring at the screen like, well, I'm like, nope, but we can get to know each other.
Avery Woods
Is that what you said?
Ashley Atkins
I think that was it. I'd have to go, like, way back on our messages.
Jesse Adkins
I'm like, I guess not. I guess I don't know her. Like, she doesn't know me. And, yeah, we just started talking and then I came home on leave and.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah, because I was still in high school, technically. You had graduated. You were. You had just joined the Navy a couple months prior. And then I was like, ooh, he's a Navy guy. I was like, yeah, I was like.
Jesse Adkins
I was less than a year in at that point.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah, less than a year. And then. Yeah, that was. I was in high school because I ended up graduating high school. We started dating at the very end of my high school, my senior year.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
Ashley Atkins
And then moved pretty. In hindsight, move pretty quickly because we were engaged after, like, I don't know, not. Not quite two years. But.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah. What was wicked was I would. I would literally. So in the Navy, when you're going through schooling and you're in, like, that student status, they have, like, a really strict. Strict what? It's called Liberty policy. Like what you do in your free time, where you can go, how far you can go from the base. Oh, yeah, I was a rebel. And like, DOD don't track me down. But I would, like, check. We would check out, me and my buddy Greg, Greg Knapp. We would, like, check out of the barracks as liberty buddies. Go to Pensacola Airport. He would fly home to Chicago. I would fly all the way home to Arizona. Just to spend 24 hours at home.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Jesse Adkins
Big time change. Spend the 24 hours. Like, we timed our flights to come back and then check back in with each other in the Bear.
David
Because you were just supposed to be in the. Around the area.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
David
So if they found out you flew home.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah. It would be.
Ashley Atkins
He, like, comes back and gets.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah, you got a captain's master. And like, who knows, you know, who knows what they would do? But I would go home probably once a month.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. We would see each other probably once. Either I would go. I would go visit you, or you would come visit me. But then, like, back in the early days, we didn't have, like, a lot of money. Like, we didn't really have place to stay. So when you were staying in the dorms, remember we blew up a queen size air mattress in your, your dorm. I was up in Washington.
Jesse Adkins
That was up In Washington already.
Ashley Atkins
Oh, yeah. But still we were.
Jesse Adkins
We would stay at the La Quinta Inn in Jacksonville, in Orange park, but.
Ashley Atkins
What? One of your barrack rooms? We ended up blowing up a queen size air mattress. And we stayed in there. We had a big like 50 screen TV in his room. It was so small. The whole queen air mattress took up.
Jesse Adkins
The whole floor the size of a college dorm.
Ashley Atkins
And there was a room inspection while he was at work. I'm just hanging out in the room all day while he would.
David
And you're not supposed to be there.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah, I'm not supposed to be there. And there was a room inspection. But I remember you shared a bathroom. Like, there's a couple rooms with a common area.
Jesse Adkins
And then like.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. And I happened to be in the shower when they came and did the room inspection. Because when I got out of the shower, there was a note on your door that was like, remove this air mattress. It's a fire hazard.
Jesse Adkins
I'm like, oh, my God.
Ashley Atkins
In the room. They would have walked in. I would just been chilling there on the air mattress.
David
Oh, my God, dude.
Jesse Adkins
I would have been towed. Like, what a perfect time to take a shower.
Ashley Atkins
The fact now that, like, we risk not wrist. I mean, it's like, it wasn't that bad, but, you know, for just being. Yeah. Just young and dumb.
Jesse Adkins
Totally.
Ashley Atkins
But you could have gotten in trouble, dude.
Jesse Adkins
I could. I. I really rode the line, like, with just going home, like the liberty.
Ashley Atkins
And that's Jesse just riding the line.
Avery Woods
So what's your key to a long and happy marriage?
Ashley Atkins
Oh, I want to hear. I want to hear what you say.
Jesse Adkins
And I wanted to hear what you wanted to say.
Ashley Atkins
Well, I. I could say a million things.
Jesse Adkins
Oh, gosh. Like, I feel like I'm still learning this too, in a sense of like. Because you get mad. You're like, you didn't text me back.
David
So I'd say like, you were the worst text or.
Jesse Adkins
Though I am. So. Yeah, I'm a FaceTime guy like you. Let's get this, like, get the point.
David
Which is that also. That also is like, don't you love the 10 Avery? And I will be like, yeah, it's past 9pm the kids are asleep. That's watching a show or something. And then I'll hear my phone start going off, off. And I look over.
Jesse Adkins
How many times do you go?
David
And I look at it. And he's like, who is it? Like, it's Jesse. And then I set my phone back. I'll set my phone back down because I'm not gonna answer it. And this hoe is always like, you need to answer the phone when Jesse calls you.
Avery Woods
I always say you need to be a good friend.
David
He is your best friend. Answer the phone. Because if you call him, he will answer. I do.
Jesse Adkins
I also always answer you.
David
Fine, I'll answer it.
Avery Woods
He's like, God damn it.
Ashley Atkins
Now you got to start a 30 minute conversation.
David
And every single time on the other end is this fool just acting ridiculous. And I'm like, I'm about to fall asleep. So the house is nice. The lights are dim. I like the dark. I like like nice lighting. The phone brights up and like every can light is edf, Music, tv. I can see Johnson. Yeah, like some, some game, sports game of some kind. The colors like reflecting off the wall.
Avery Woods
I don't even know how your kids sleep in your house.
David
Oh my God.
Ashley Atkins
They're just like used to the crazy.
David
Yeah, they're used to that Amazon.
Avery Woods
It's funny because David and Jesse are past point of friendship. They are like brothers. It could not be more polar opposite of each other.
Ashley Atkins
That's how you guys balance each other out.
Avery Woods
Funny opposite. Like Jesse has dragged David to go to EDC every year for the last, what, four years?
Jesse Adkins
Three years, Right?
Avery Woods
Three years.
Jesse Adkins
You've done three.
David
Yeah, yeah, three.
Avery Woods
Which if you know David, he's a grumpy old little man. He does not want to go to edc.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
David
You guys, last night we were playing whatever game you bought.
Avery Woods
Oh, that game was funnest.
David
You playing this game till oh like 11, 11, like 8:30. I snuck away to the bedroom to sleep and I went to bed, wanted.
Ashley Atkins
To come wake you up and be like, get your ass out.
David
I'm kind of actually surprised Jesse or someone didn't come.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah, you know, I wasn't, I was so tempted. I was like, man, I to go wake him up.
David
I was, I was like, nah, it's.
Jesse Adkins
Already like 9:30, 10, you know, too reasonable time to be asleep.
David
If you wake me up, I'm such a boob.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
David
I'm so bad.
Jesse Adkins
You, you get a little cranky. But, but it's weird because like when we go to Vegas or do any like especially edc, right? You, you're up all night.
David
Oh yeah. I stay out the whole time.
Jesse Adkins
You sleep till like 2 1, 2 o'clock in the afternoon because you get back so early in the morning. Technically I roll over like you know, mid sleep roll over and it's only 10am and this guy's already awake.
David
And I'm like it's my curse.
Jesse Adkins
How the hell are you?
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
Okay, so what's your advice?
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Jesse Adkins
Communication. Like, I don't know.
David
Yeah, Yeah.
Jesse Adkins
I just feel like communication is good. Like.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah, I feel like communication's a. I. Not, not. I'm not on it. It's a very like common thing. But it's so true. Like it's the way you communicate. How you communicate, but also say learning one, you, you have to learn how to grow together, but you also have to learn how to grow individually. And I think that's one thing that we've done well is.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
Ashley Atkins
Like I allow you to be you. You allow me to be me, but then we also allow each other to be to.
Jesse Adkins
We have a good like.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. And I, and we communicate and I just simmer you down. I balance you out.
Jesse Adkins
You do. Yeah. I, I know, I know I'm not even going to get in.
David
You're. You're impossible to be married to me.
Ashley Atkins
Thank you, David. Thank you. Validated.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah. You talking about Ashley?
Avery Woods
Ashley is the most patient woman I've ever met.
Jesse Adkins
She is, she is.
Ashley Atkins
Remember when you did that video, it was like a tik tok.
Avery Woods
Oh my God. That was being funny.
Ashley Atkins
Annoying to your spouse. Like you're loud or whatever, shaking the drawers.
Avery Woods
Yeah.
Ashley Atkins
And you see how, where's the brush? Yeah. You see how long it takes for your spouse to react and you're in. It's like 10pm I am like laying with my hair mask on in bed, just like ready to go to sleep. Lights are down. You come into our bathroom, you start banging around every drawer. And normally on the videos the spouse like, you know, starts yelling. Yeah. And I'm, I'm like, jesse, Jesse, Jesse. Like I'm like so patient that when he showed me the video back, I said, you post that? You published that? Because I was like a goddamn saint. I look like an angel of a wife.
Avery Woods
Especially because you didn't even know it was recording.
Ashley Atkins
I didn't know he was recording. I was like, I was so patient and calm.
Jesse Adkins
I was pretty impressed actually.
Ashley Atkins
Impressed. That's why that's your day to day life actually.
Jesse Adkins
Very anti climatic. Like I'm like expecting to be like.
Ashley Atkins
What the hell are you doing?
Jesse Adkins
You're just like, jesse, please stop. Right, Jesse.
Ashley Atkins
I'm like, do you really have to do that right now?
David
I was just going to add though, on their, on their marriage. I'm gonna say the one thing I've always noticed from your guys's marriage and the thing that I appreciate about you guys's marriage is that you guys don't expect perfection out of each other.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
David
I've noticed You've always just, like. You're just kind of like, go with each other's ebbs and flows.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
David
And. Which I think is just like your household in general.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
David
Like, it's just like your home's always just flowing. Nothing's ever perfect. But, yeah, you guys are good with that, and you don't expect it to be. It's just always, like, a nice home environment. And that's the same thing with your relationship.
Ashley Atkins
We're so homie.
Jesse Adkins
I like it. Like, I like it.
Ashley Atkins
It's pretty good. You know, it's been 11 years. It's all right.
Avery Woods
You guys are also the best hosts. Like, you always, always have such a warm house full of people, full of food, homemade bread. Something's on the grill.
Jesse Adkins
Like, the unity of that, but you don't make it.
David
That's the whole thing. Like. Like what? I'm just saying about, like, the perfection is when you have people. Like, for me, if people come to our house, I'm very on edge in a sense. Everything has to be, like, perfect and clean and all that kind of crap. And you guys aren't like that. Like, yeah, a lot of times the house is, like, a mess and all that stuff.
Avery Woods
No one ever thinks of it in a negative way.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
This is just a family.
David
It just feels like you're coming. It feels like you're just coming home. Like.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
David
You're like. Even though it's not your home, it feels like home in a sense, just because it's like, oh, it's just full of love and everyone's happy, and it's like, oh, Ziggy knocked over a hole. Broke whatever of yours or knocked someone. You're just like, whatever.
Avery Woods
He knocked over the olive oil.
Ashley Atkins
That was Stevie.
Avery Woods
Oh, Stevie. Yeah.
Ashley Atkins
And I was already pantry. I thought she.
Avery Woods
Oh, my God.
David
Glass and even Jesse. I remember that because Jesse, I was like, oh.
Ashley Atkins
Well, that makes me happy because I feel like one thing I'm thankful for in our personal lives is just we have a very good community of people. I mean, obviously, you guys included, and you're part of that community and, like, a lot of our friends and stuff. But I always.
Jesse Adkins
What do you. What do you. I'm laughing because it reminds me of when you were like. You always say to people, you're like, man, Jesse, you're the type. Jesse's the type of guy, you can sit down with him. Known for five minutes and by the End of that five minutes, you're gonna think you knew that guy your whole life.
David
Oh, ye.
Avery Woods
Yeah.
Ashley Atkins
It's a blessing and a curse.
Avery Woods
Yeah, it is.
Ashley Atkins
Because we go places and he's friendly with everyone, which is amazing. And I would take that over. Not. But sometimes, like, can we just go? But then it'll work out our favor. He'll be like, oh, yeah, it was an hour wait. But they said it. We'll get you in at five.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah. I'm like, sometimes. Sometimes it pays off like kindness.
Avery Woods
Jesse, you're the type of person. And David and I talk about this where even if David gets annoyed of what you want to do, you force all of us to get out of our comfort zone.
David
Always.
Avery Woods
And you make us have a good time. Because I would be such a boring old grandma.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
But you make us get out of bed, go out to eat, go on a trip, go have a good time.
Jesse Adkins
It's always a fun time, too, but.
Avery Woods
That'S what life's about.
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David
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Ashley Atkins
And delicious chocolate candy.
David
Ah, but do you know what our most important ingredient is? Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't. Almond Joy's got nuts and something even.
Avery Woods
Way better than that.
David
Yes, Almond Joy is made with almonds and joy.
Ashley Atkins
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Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
David
All right.
Ashley Atkins
So what were you. What were you thinking? We're going to.
Avery Woods
I think we should go around and say our first impression of each. Each person Our first impressions. Yeah.
David
That felt like when we first met each other.
Avery Woods
Yeah.
David
That's hard. I don't really remember.
Jesse Adkins
They were probably.
Avery Woods
Okay. How about. How about we go around and say our favorite trait about each person then?
David
Okay. Favorite.
Ashley Atkins
I like that. Okay, Jesse, you go first.
Jesse Adkins
I going first on everything.
Avery Woods
We volunteer.
David
Are we all, like, just going. We have.
Jesse Adkins
Okay, so.
Avery Woods
Yeah. Yeah.
Jesse Adkins
So I just go boom. And then you'll go, boom, boom.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. Yeah.
Jesse Adkins
Okay.
David
I have to do it about you or just them?
Avery Woods
No, you don't have to do it about me. We're married.
David
Okay.
Ashley Atkins
Oh, I can go. Okay. So, Avery, what I love most about you or one of the things I love most about you? I just have a list.
David
Avery's like, actually, can y'all just say favorite things about me? We don't need to say. We don't need to say anything about anyone else.
Avery Woods
I wouldn't even care if I was skipped. I want to hear everyone else's.
Ashley Atkins
You are always so considerate of everybody else around you. Like, you're very giving to the people in your life. And not just giving in, like, a monetary way. Like, you're just very. You're always there to. For anybody that needs you. You are always that kind of bigger, stronger person, and you've always kind of had to be in your life that bigger, stronger person. And no matter what's thrown your way, you. You're resilient, and I admire that about you. That's. And then, obviously, raising our babies and motherhood and navigating all of that.
Jesse Adkins
You're taking up a lot of them.
David
Yeah. God.
Jesse Adkins
This was a.
David
You can pick.
Jesse Adkins
All right. A is gone. Gone. B's gone. C, double A, double B, double.
Ashley Atkins
All right.
Avery Woods
It's okay.
Ashley Atkins
You can do.
Avery Woods
Select all the above.
David
Yeah, ditto. I'm echoing everything she says.
Jesse Adkins
Oh, my God.
Ashley Atkins
You're just very nice.
Avery Woods
Oh, thank you so much.
Ashley Atkins
And then David to the drawing board.
David
She's talking about me.
Jesse Adkins
Go ahead.
Ashley Atkins
David is very family centered and loving, and you do everything to make everyone else around you happy to keep the flow of life happy. You are very supportive in sacrificing and just doing whatever you need to put your family first. You're a very, like, family man, especially from where you've come from to where you are now.
David
Yeah, that's just a good one. Thank you.
Ashley Atkins
And then do I have to do one about you?
Avery Woods
Apparently we're doing better spouses.
Jesse Adkins
Pretty hard to do. Yes.
David
Yes.
Ashley Atkins
Tell me more. Oh, well, this is gonna be kind of sad.
Jesse Adkins
Don't Tear up.
David
Oh, here we go.
Jesse Adkins
Oh, God, no fountains.
Ashley Atkins
You are. You're just very loving to our family, and you love our family as much as I love our family. No one has that bond, you know, over the love that you have for your kids in your life than your partner in life. And to think that we've gone through 11 years of being married, but over 13 years together. I mean, we've gone through a lot of life and we've had a lot of hard times. And, you know, those are very, like, personal things that, you know, only our close circle has known about the difficulties we've gone through. But it's only made us stronger. And I can say we're stronger now than we ever have been. And just to know that we've grown together and defied all the odds that were against us, you know, because we got married young and we were this young military couple, and everyone thought I was going to just get pregnant and not become a nurse. And, you know, we had all the things against us, but here we are now.
David
Here you are.
Ashley Atkins
So sweet.
Avery Woods
Now. You guys need a kiss? That was so sweet.
David
Oh, that's so nice.
Jesse Adkins
I like her.
Avery Woods
They're growing up fast.
Ashley Atkins
They're growing up fast.
Jesse Adkins
Love you.
Ashley Atkins
Love you.
Jesse Adkins
All right, your turn.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. You going?
Jesse Adkins
Bye, Cody. Oh, my God, I love your resilience. Yes. Your resilience.
Ashley Atkins
Copying me.
Jesse Adkins
See, this is what I'm saying. This was like, I had to get all the way down to G. It's okay.
Avery Woods
I believe you that you had a problem before.
Jesse Adkins
The resilience factor. I think, like, through. I've seen you through adversity, through the height, the peaks of. And you're just always on the thrott, like, on the journey to always improve. Even if it's like, the shittiest lowest of lows. You're always like, like, like, fuck it. What are we going to do to, like, get better? Like, you know, I don't know. And that. And that, like, comes with not just for yourself, but, like, your family, too. Like, you're like, oh, you know, this X, Y and Z sucks ass. But, like, you know, you do what's right for you and all of your family and, you know, you carry everyone on that upward trajectory that's trying to make everything better. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
David
You're always improving upon people.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah. Lives. I do. You're always. Situations, not only on your life, but everyone's lives. Yeah.
Avery Woods
Thank you.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
All for my people.
Ashley Atkins
Oh, we love each other.
Avery Woods
Oh, David, now we're gonna get the waterworks.
Ashley Atkins
Now he starts crying.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah, guys, I don't even know, dude. This guy, like, we. We're cussing on this one. That guy's my ride or die. Oh, yeah, that dude from beginning to end. Like, we always joke, like, okay, so, like, if you want to go with the one trait, like, oh, what's one trait? Dude, you are just the older brother I never had. Like, you are the older brother I never had. We've done everything together.
David
I love True.
Jesse Adkins
And complimenting what you guys had said, like, you're always like, you get us out of our comfort zones to go do things. I love that. You're a yes man.
David
You just like. I love that, too. It's my favorite trait.
Jesse Adkins
There's so many times where, yes, you may say, I don't know about that. But at the end, you're like, dog, whatever, let's do it. And I love that you just. You do it. Because at the end, it's always like, hey, that was a good time. And it's just.
David
You don't typically take no for an answer. No, I have tried many times.
Ashley Atkins
It's like, I actually want to be a no man.
Avery Woods
Jesse has, like, five more pitches for him. Readiness.
Ashley Atkins
I'm actually.
David
I'm actually a no man. And you. It's a big, like, you're like, no, you are a yes man. You will do. You're doing this. It'll be fun, I promise.
Jesse Adkins
That's how. Trust me. It'll be fun.
Avery Woods
Trust me. You won't regret it.
Jesse Adkins
It'll be fun, I promise.
Avery Woods
Yes.
Ashley Atkins
He'll throw you with the. When you're retired, your kids are grown up.
Jesse Adkins
That's what I was going to say.
Ashley Atkins
Are you going to regret taking this time?
Jesse Adkins
How many times, David, do I say, like, man, we're going to be like, 80 years old, smoking cigars, just hanging out. We're like, do you remember that one time we're going to have decades of stories? Yeah.
Avery Woods
Oh, yeah.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Jesse Adkins
It's just fun.
Ashley Atkins
It's funny. Well, we were just saying that yesterday, like, a lot of the funny memories that we have together. When you're. When you hear stories of people's friendships or things that they've lived through, you're like, oh, I wish I had fun memories like that. But then we sit there and talk about the fun things we've been through and the fun memories that we have between us four. It's like that we have those funny stories over the years. Now we have all those memories.
Jesse Adkins
Reason, definitely grateful for that.
Avery Woods
Oh, yeah. Such epic memories.
Jesse Adkins
Totally.
Avery Woods
Yeah, now you gotta do your wife.
Ashley Atkins
Me next.
Jesse Adkins
Oh, man.
David
Oh, man.
Ashley Atkins
Tell me all the reasons you love me.
Jesse Adkins
You're. You're just such a patient person. Your best trait is your patience.
Ashley Atkins
I am.
Jesse Adkins
Because I know I am, like, 99 of the time. I'm running at, like, a 10 out of 10.
Ashley Atkins
No, it's like.
Jesse Adkins
Like, kids are also running at a 10 out of 10, and you're somehow just like it.
Ashley Atkins
Well, in my head, obviously, like a.
Jesse Adkins
Lot more not like that, but yeah, you're just super patient, understanding. Because there's times I'm like, oh, like, going off on my tangents of X, Y, and Z, and you're just like. Even if it's just shaking your head, I don't know. It's all the small things. And obviously with having a kid that's six and three, you know, having two kids, six and three, and me and.
Avery Woods
Being a boss ass money maker.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah, that's the other thing. Like, you work your ass off, too. So you're. You're triple dipping with, you know, mom duties, wife duties, work duties. I just love that.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
Okay, you go ahead and you can.
David
Finish it up with all your compliments for all of us.
Avery Woods
Oh, narcissist.
Jesse Adkins
Oh, God, so evil. What Complimenting.
Avery Woods
Does it mean, like, you want, like, the attention on you or something?
David
Oh, like, yeah.
Jesse Adkins
Making things about yourself.
David
Ah, let's see.
Avery Woods
Favorite traits. Wait, let's explain our nicknames.
Ashley Atkins
Cooties.
Avery Woods
Yeah. People don't get it.
David
Is there explanations?
Avery Woods
Cootie. And then also quiz People don't understand.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. C Wiz. C W I S. Well, we used to call each other cutie and stuff.
David
We kind of stole it from you.
Ashley Atkins
And then you guys kind of, like, in a loving way. We're like, kind of not making fun of us, but, like, a loving way would so call us the Cooties. And then we would start you guys the Cooties. And so now everybody's just a cootie.
David
Everyone.
Ashley Atkins
You post something like, oh, my Cootie.
David
People are probably like, it's like a term of endearment.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. It's like a loving term and everything's straight.
Jesse Adkins
I don't call David Cootie. Okay. He doesn't call.
David
We have not called each other.
Avery Woods
Jeffy from. Why did we get Jeffy?
Jesse Adkins
I don't know.
Avery Woods
That was like, something in the last, like, three years or something.
Ashley Atkins
Autocorrect or something.
Avery Woods
Oh, yeah, I think it was autocorrect Jeffy.
Ashley Atkins
And then we just kept it Jeffy.
Avery Woods
And then David needed Needed a nickname, and his middle name is Christopher. So we start calling quiz babies just.
David
A little Babina Quina.
Avery Woods
All right, honey.
David
Wait, am I doing my favorite thing?
Ashley Atkins
Your favorite?
Jesse Adkins
Oh, yeah. You have to do your traits.
David
My favorite trait. My favorite thingy thing. I would say. I'll start with Ashley. I would say my favorite trait about you is. What is my favorite trait about you?
Ashley Atkins
There's just.
David
I gotta think. No, because there's, like. There's like, really good. Is it like. I think. I think it's just like your, like, commitment to motherhood is like, my favorite thing about you.
Ashley Atkins
Thanks.
David
Like, you're legit mom, and you're just like. You're always just so chill but stern. But, like, like, when I think about, like, oh, like, I would want my mom like, that I would think of someone like you. Because, like, you. You let the kids discover, like, whatever they're doing, or, like, you're always pushing them to learn and do stuff, but in a hands on, hands off way. And that's like a. That takes a pretty special skill, I think, to be able to do that. Not be, like a helicopter parent.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
David
Which I think you would. If you, like, went full blown. You could be a really crazy helicopter parent.
Ashley Atkins
Oh, for sure. If I let my, like, type A personality dominate.
David
Yeah. And that's the thing because, like, you're a perfectionist.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
David
All these types of the way you color and you. If you mess it up, it's, like, completely ruined. Like, that could easily become, like, how you would expect Cali to be coloring her pages.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah, yeah.
David
But you just let her, like, express herself in her own way when she does all that. Or just, you know, kind of explore that on their own without, like, imprinting. Is imprinting the right word?
Ashley Atkins
Intrude? Like, in inserting myself?
David
Yeah, exactly. Exactly.
Ashley Atkins
That makes me happy. Because in my head, I do not.
Jesse Adkins
Feel like I will, like, give yourself enough credit.
Ashley Atkins
I just. I think we're always hard on ourselves. So, you know, I feel like I'm always like.
David
Yeah.
Avery Woods
I don't know.
Ashley Atkins
Just. Parenting's hard.
David
Oh, yeah.
Avery Woods
Yeah, it's hard.
David
Thanks, Jesse. Jesse.
Ashley Atkins
Oh, God.
David
I think the biggest, like. And I think I mentioned it earlier, touched on it a little bit about the phone call thing is, like, no matter what's going on and no matter where you are at in life, like, you are always, like, available as a shoulder to lean on. Like, you're just. You're one of those people that I know, like, anybody can call you and you will pick up the phone, like, if it's like, I see those memes where they say, like, win a million dollars, but the person you have to call won't answer. I know I can't ever call you because, like, you always will answer. And you're always just like, you're always like a hype man. You always are good at, like, one. You can read me really well. And so you'll. Even if I'm being like a pooper and, like, have a shitty attitude, and you'll be like, you can tell I have a shitty attitude about something. Like, you won't. You won't let me keep myself there. And you always have a way of pulling it out.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
David
And you always like a way to, like, make me smile or make me laugh, I think.
Jesse Adkins
But that's true.
David
But it's not just true with our relationship. Like, you're that way with everybody. Like, when I watch how you interact with Anaya and Sydney especially, like, it's just so, like, yeah, I'm their father and I can't do that with them. It's just like, it's just this uncle relationship. And, like, the girls don't really have that. So, like, you really are like, he's the fun uncle. You are literally the fun uncle.
Jesse Adkins
It's just that I just like being the hyper.
David
Yeah. And that's like, that's your. That's like your. That's like your gift is just that you literally have that personality and you're just. No matter what is going on, you're the life of the party in the most stupid ways. So many times.
Ashley Atkins
Like, the fact that we're throwing a NASCAR party this week.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
Ashley Atkins
Like, and we've never got a new.
Avery Woods
Sport for Jeffy William Byron, 24.
Jesse Adkins
But the way you.
David
Number one, when you're telling me and you're like, like, oh, the NASCAR party. David, it's gonna be so fun. So. So hear me out. It's $20 an egg. There's gonna be.
Avery Woods
If Jesse's throwing a party, there will be betting involved.
David
I'm like, so we're all buying eggs that represent the cars. Yeah.
Jesse Adkins
But, dude, relatively close.
David
There's a last place egg. There's a first place egg.
Ashley Atkins
And I'm Kids, like, love it, though.
David
Like, this is not. Never in my mind would I be like, let's throw a NASCAR party. But here we are. We're going to.
Avery Woods
And it's in the daytime.
Jesse Adkins
It was the Netflix.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah, it' but the fact that all of our friends are like, hell, yeah. Like, let's do it. Because they know him, and they know.
Jesse Adkins
We'Ll throw a damn good party. Yeah.
David
And, like, in our lives, like, anytime anything's going on, like a holiday of UFC or whatever, we're like, well, so what are we doing? Does Jesse have something planned? Yeah, probably. So they're probably going over there, and it's like, you come in the door, and there's Jesse being crazy and everything's going on, and there's Ashley doing all that. Everything put together and whatnot.
Avery Woods
Yeah. Jesse's playing the Chief's anthem.
David
Ridiculous. But that's just you.
Jesse Adkins
Thanks, man.
David
And I think you will be that way until the day that you die. Like, if you end up in assisted living community, it's going to be very.
Ashley Atkins
He's like, listen, everyone, we're gonna sneak out tonight.
Jesse Adkins
It'd be like, what's the. What's it? We're going streaking.
David
Oh, my God. That would not. My favorite trait about you is you're like, you're the best person without anybody.
Ashley Atkins
Knowing a. Oh, that's so.
David
Like. And. And I. I think that's such a big thing to show. Like, what you do for people is out of, like, the genuineness of your heart and your, like, love for those people. And you're always like, you. You love giving gifts, and you love. Like, you would rather not receive something and then give it to someone else so you can see that light up on their face because you just. That's what. I don't know.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah.
Avery Woods
Gives me a high.
David
Yeah. You love doing those, like, super nice things, like, with the golf cart for the app.
Ashley Atkins
Yes.
David
And everything like that. Because me, I'm more of, like, the logic, not logical. Yeah. Logic.
Avery Woods
Yeah. He's like, sauce money.
David
I'm like, how much is this? We're doing a golf cart.
Avery Woods
Which.
David
The golf cart. I was like, absolutely.
Avery Woods
Oh, that was so fun.
David
But still, it wouldn't have first come in my mind to be like, oh, let's buy the Atkins a golf cart.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah. Yeah.
David
Not the first thing popping in my mind, but you're like, we should buy them a golf cart. Like, well, actually, it's a really cool idea.
Jesse Adkins
Nothing is awesome, but you do really.
David
Special things for people, and you're genuine about the things that you do. It's not for, like. It's not for to show off or whatever else. It's just because you really just want to do those things.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah.
David
And everything you do for your family, you like. Like, you always have been family first. And whether it's. Yeah. It's like, this Family. Our family. But that extends to, like, friends who have now become family. And then like your parents and all of that. It's like they've always been first. And you've always just had this in the back of your mind where you've always been like, if I need to take care of family, I'll take care of family. I don't know. I don't care what it takes. But you know.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah, yeah.
David
Like you've always felt like, but others first. Yeah, absolutely. Like, well, when mom and dad need a place to live, we need to make sure we have a place for them to live.
Avery Woods
That's so nice. Thank you. I'll start with you.
David
And lots of other things too.
Jesse Adkins
Do it.
Avery Woods
Don't. Don't say those things. My favorite thing about you is that you have never been afraid to grow and evolve as a man because we've been together for so long that I feel like a lot of men are very stubborn and like, stuck in their old ways and maybe afraid to, like, work on themselves and grow. But the person that I met is so different from the person you are now. But, like, in the best way possible.
David
Thank you.
Avery Woods
Also, you're literally the best dad in the whole world. And everything you do is for your kids. Okay, let me talk about my cootie.
David
Yes, talk about them.
Avery Woods
My cootie. You are the most present mom. I know. Like, you know how to just let go of everything else and solely focus on them. And you also are the least anxious person. Like, outwards to your kids. Like, you hardly ever snap on them. You hardly raise your voice. You're always so patient. That's what I strive to be. Oh, my anxiety could never. I'm working.
David
Wait, can I interject real quick? Isn't she the only one out of all four of us that hasn't had, like.
Ashley Atkins
Oh, yeah, a mental breakdown?
David
Yeah. Cuz we've all like, on family vacations, we've all like, had a meltdown where one of us turns into a massive boob. And I think Ashley's the only one that has never had that happen.
Ashley Atkins
It would have to take a lot. It would have to take a lot for me to get there.
David
I think the three of us, if and when that ever does happen, we're going to be like, oh, they're like.
Ashley Atkins
You're going to be like, we all up.
Avery Woods
We're going to be scared.
David
Who's cooking dinner tonight?
Avery Woods
We're gonna be scared because if we piss her off, we know it's for good reason.
David
You're like, the mom even of our friendship.
Ashley Atkins
Oh, my gosh.
Jesse Adkins
I don't even think it's like, pot. Like, when I think, like, what would get her to that point, I'm like, it's. It seems like an impossible feat.
David
Right?
Avery Woods
Like, and what a privilege it is to be married to her.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. You're welcome.
David
When Callie's 16, maybe Ashley will get there.
Ashley Atkins
Maybe.
David
That might be him, right?
Avery Woods
Yeah, for sure.
Ashley Atkins
I'm gonna have.
Avery Woods
She's gonna be a tester.
Jesse Adkins
The one thing I said going up really quick off of that Cali thing was the one thing when we had Cali. I said, please don't give me a daughter that looks like Ashley and behaves like me. Please behave like Ashley.
David
That's what you have. That is literally your daughter.
Ashley Atkins
She does have a lot of your personality.
Avery Woods
Oh, yeah.
Ashley Atkins
But I think she's a good mix. She has a lot.
David
She's also.
Avery Woods
She has your brain.
Ashley Atkins
Yeah. She's.
Jesse Adkins
She's.
Avery Woods
She's so smart.
Jesse Adkins
She is.
David
Yeah.
Avery Woods
Okay. Jeffy, you make life fun.
Jesse Adkins
Thanks, Cody.
Avery Woods
Life would be so much more boring without you. Dave and I talk about that all the time, even for our family.
David
Yeah, yeah, yeah. We're such losers. We're like, if it wasn't for Jesse in our life, we would be such losers. And all, like, the cool stories. Have some onus of like, you are. You are a critical portion of story.
Jesse Adkins
The planner always stuff for us.
David
Always.
Avery Woods
Well, thanks for being on, guys.
Jesse Adkins
Thanks, Cody.
Avery Woods
We should play our game.
Jesse Adkins
Yeah, let's play our game.
Avery Woods
Wait, what's that game called? It's called Tell Me Without Telling Me. We picked it up at Target the other day. We were getting toys for the kids and it's fun as. Yeah, well, cheers. I have an empty glass. I drink.
David
That was fun. Empty.
Ashley Atkins
Love you guys.
David
Love you guys. Love you, cooties. Love you so much.
Avery Woods
Thanks for being on. Love you guys.
Ashley Atkins
Bye.
David
Here at the Almond Joy Factory, where tropical vibes abound, we use soft, fresh.
Ashley Atkins
Tasting coconut, the crunchiest almonds, and delicious chocolate candy.
David
Ah, but do you. You know what our most important ingredient is? Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't.
Avery Woods
Almond Joy's got nuts and something even way better than that.
Ashley Atkins
Yes.
David
Almond Joy is made with almonds and Johor.
Ashley Atkins
Ever since switching to T Mobile, something weird has been happening. I get to cut lines.
David
Oh, right this way.
Ashley Atkins
Who, me? I can stream shows at 30,000ft. And I was able to buy reserve tickets for my favorite band.
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Ashley Atkins
Morning decisions a creamy mocha Frappuccino drink A sweet vanilla, maybe a smooth caramel or that white chocolate mocha. Whichever you choose, delicious coffee awaits. Start your day with bottled Starbucks Frappuccino drinks. Pick up a bottle near you wherever you buy your grocery.
Podcast Summary: CHEERS! with Avery Woods – Episode: fam vacay | Ashley + Jesse Release Date: March 17, 2025
In this heartfelt episode of CHEERS! with Avery Woods, host Avery sits down with her long-time friends and family members, Ashley and Jesse Atkins, to discuss their enduring friendship, marriage, family planning, and parenting journeys. The episode exudes warmth and camaraderie as the trio reminisces about their shared experiences and offers insightful advice for maintaining strong relationships.
Avery Woods kicks off the conversation by introducing Ashley and Jesse, emphasizing their deep-rooted friendship likened more to family than mere acquaintances. The trio shares anecdotes about their first encounters and the evolution of their bond.
Ashley Atkins shares, “We've been best friends with you guys for a long time” (01:08), highlighting the longstanding connection between the friends.
Jesse Adkins humorously recalls his first impression, “I was hungover” (01:37), setting a candid and relatable tone for the episode.
Their initial meetings, fraught with typical first-date jitters and mishaps, laid the foundation for a resilient and supportive friendship.
The discussion naturally transitions into Ashley and Jesse's marriage, which spans over eleven years. They delve into their decision-making process around starting a family, showcasing the synchronized nature of their planning.
Ashley Atkins explains, “We were like, we're gonna start trying” (09:25), reflecting their mutual readiness to embark on parenthood.
Avery Woods notes the remarkable timing of their pregnancies, “Callie and Ziggy ended up being exactly 20 days apart” (09:46), underscoring the harmonious coordination in their family growth.
The couple’s strategic approach to spacing their children not only emphasizes their organized nature but also their commitment to maintaining a balanced family life.
Ashley and Avery recount their parallel birth experiences, marked by unexpected complications and emotional challenges. These narratives provide an intimate glimpse into the trials and triumphs of childbirth.
Ashley Atkins shares a particularly emotional moment: “I just don't know what to do anymore... I was hysterically crying” (17:49), highlighting the raw emotions experienced during labor.
Jesse Adkins describes the stressful wait during Ashley’s labor progress, “After 43 hours, I was max on pit” (15:55), illustrating the physical and emotional toll of childbirth.
Their stories reveal the strength and resilience required to navigate the unpredictable nature of bringing new life into the world, reinforcing the deep bond they share.
The conversation shifts to parenting styles and the unique dynamics between their children. Ashley and Jesse discuss the challenges and joys of raising multiple children, each with their distinct personalities.
Ashley Atkins observes, “They're both so hyperactive and wild” (18:33), describing the energetic nature of their boys.
David adds, “Callie just doesn't suppress her emotions like Ashley does” (18:57), noting the differences in their daughters’ temperaments.
This segment emphasizes the importance of understanding and adapting to each child’s individual needs, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment.
Avery, Ashley, and Jesse delve into the intricacies of their friendship, highlighting the balance between similarities and differences that strengthen their bond.
Ashley Atkins commends Avery, “You're always so considerate of everybody else around you” (39:44), acknowledging Avery’s selflessness.
David praises Jesse’s influence, “You make us have a good time. That’s what life's about” (37:37), appreciating Jesse’s role in keeping their friendship vibrant and enjoyable.
Their mutual support and ability to embrace each other’s strengths and weaknesses serve as a testament to the enduring nature of their relationship.
Ashley and Jesse share their insights on maintaining a successful marriage, drawing from their own experiences and challenges.
Jesse Adkins emphasizes the importance of communication, “I just feel like communication is good” (32:28), underscoring open dialogue as a cornerstone of their relationship.
Ashley Atkins adds, “You have to learn how to grow together, but you also have to learn how to grow individually” (32:32), highlighting the balance between unity and personal growth.
Their advice encapsulates the essence of a thriving marriage: continuous communication, mutual respect, and personal development.
A lighthearted segment unfolds as the friends discuss the origins and meanings behind their affectionate nicknames for each other.
Ashley Atkins explains the term “Cooties,” a term of endearment adopted from Avery and Jesse, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie (48:12).
Avery Woods reflects, “You have never been afraid to grow and evolve as a man” (56:43), linking the nicknames to personal growth and mutual support.
This playful exchange reinforces the closeness and familiarity that define their relationships.
The episode wraps up with heartfelt expressions of love and gratitude among friends, encapsulating the essence of CHEERS! with Avery Woods – a space where genuine relationships and shared experiences are celebrated. Ashley and Jesse’s candid storytelling and unwavering support for one another offer listeners a model of enduring friendship and committed marriage.
Ashley Atkins: “We've been best friends with you guys for a long time.” (01:08)
Jesse Adkins: “I was hungover.” (01:37)
Ashley Atkins: “Callie and Ziggy ended up being exactly 20 days apart.” (09:46)
Ashley Atkins: “I just don't know what to do anymore... I was hysterically crying.” (17:49)
Jesse Adkins: “After 43 hours, I was max on pit.” (15:55)
Ashley Atkins: “They're both so hyperactive and wild.” (18:33)
David: “Callie just doesn't suppress her emotions like Ashley does.” (18:57)
Ashley Atkins: “You're always so considerate of everybody else around you.” (39:44)
Jesse Adkins: “I just feel like communication is good.” (32:28)
Ashley Atkins: “You have to learn how to grow together, but you also have to learn how to grow individually.” (32:32)
Ashley Atkins: “You have never been afraid to grow and evolve as a man.” (56:43)
This episode serves as a beautiful tapestry of friendship, love, and family, offering listeners both entertainment and valuable life lessons.