Hi everyone, Lauren and Holden here!

We'd like to begin by saying we are so excited for this chapter in our lives and so thankful for each and everyone of you. You all mean so much to us and hold a very special place in our lives. We are so thankful to have such great family and friends to share this time with and we love you all so much!

I’m sure most of you know our story, but here’s how it goes…

Holden and I met in elementary school in Mrs. Hughes third grade class. Our first memory that I think we both remember was me kicking him under the table one of the first days he got moved into that class. (Haha I know, I'm so mean, right? ;) ). We were in almost every class together from then until high school.

We were both voted friendliest for the eighth grade superlatives - just a little fun fact!

Since we had a lot of classes together we became pretty good friends over the years. I think in 10th grade I finally got Holdens phone number and we started texting each other some. I had a really big crush on him and eventually decided to let him know. He told me that since we were such good friends we shouldnt risk it because if we didnt work out he did not want to lose me as a friend. I understood because I also did not want to lose him as a friend, but I still felt the same. We made one of those pacts that if neither one of us were married by the time we were 40, we would marry each other!

After seeing me get hurt, Holden realized that he never wanted to see me hurt again and knew he would never hurt me and that he wanted to be with me. We started dating December 8, 2015, in our senior year of high school. After graduating high school together that following May, Holden went to Clemson, and I stayed home to go to OCTech. Ill just say this, long distance is not for the faint of heart. We missed each other all the time and traveled back and forth on many occasions to be with each other. Although it was hard, I would not trade it for the world. I think Holden and I grew in our relationship a lot in those four years because we had to do long distance. You gain a lot of trust and respect for each other while having to be strong and missing each other so much. A lot of tears were shed during this time, both happy and sad but we made it through!

COVID cut Holdens time a little short at Clemson, and he had to come home a few months early. Although it was sad that he could not finish out his last year of college, I was so happy to have him back home!

After Holden and I finished our time in college, we both got jobs and continued to live with our parents until we were able to find somewhere for us to live together. We currently rent a home together and are constantly on the hunt for a house to call our forever home. We have a cat named Hopper who is our best little friend that we love so much!

We have always talked about getting married so I knew the time would come for Holden to ask me to marry him. I was so surprised when he got down on one knee this summer and asked me to marry him when we were at the beach. I thought we were just taking some cute pictures before dinner but boy was I wrong! That was one of the best moments of my life and the easiest yes!

I am just so thankful that we do not have to actually wait until we are 40 to get married!! The past 9 years together have been nothing short of amazing. I have always told Holden that he and I are the same person just he in boy form and me in girl form. Although we are not perfect, we are perfect for each other and I thank God everyday for Him blessing me with Holden.

Again, we want to thank you all for being here and supporting the love that we share. We are so beyond excited for this milestone in our lives and cannot wait to start our own little family! We cannot wait for everyone to be together to celebrate!!

With all of the love,

Lauren and Holden

L&H

Wedding Day

4:00 PM–4:30 PM

Ceremony

4:30 PM–5:30 PM

Cocktail Hour

5:30 PM–9:00 PM

Reception