Eric and Laura first met during their freshman year at NC State. They both lived in the same area of campus, but didn't meet until the spring semester due to COVID sending students back home in the fall.

When they returned, Eric started to hear about Laura through some mutual friends. She first caught his eye at a beach day put on by a campus ministry called Cru. She was athletic, smiley, easy to talk to, and most importantly, loved Jesus. So just as they were starting to get to know one another... the semester ended. Eric went back to Concord and Laura went to work at Fort Caswell, a summer camp. Over the summer, Eric messaged Laura about putting together an intramural volleyball team with some friends… and while that was Eric's main motivation, he also had other goals in mind :)

The next fall, their friends continued to converge until they saw each other frequently. Communication and interest mutually increased and in November of 2021, Eric asked Laura out on a date. The day ended up being very full with the two of them going out to lunch, going to a basketball game with friends where Eric coincidentally met Laura's parents for the first time (that was a surprise), and finishing with NC State’s annual Red & White Ball with over fifteen of their friends. Their first picture together is of the two of them very formal (and also very sweaty from dancing).